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Free tibia and fibula‐fillet‐of‐leg flap for pelvic ring reconstruction: A case report
Author(s) -
Sawyer Justin,
Van Boerum Melody Scheefer,
Groundland John,
Lorimer Shan,
Agarwal Jayant
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
microsurgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.031
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1098-2752
pISSN - 0738-1085
DOI - 10.1002/micr.30559
Subject(s) - hemipelvectomy , medicine , fibula , pelvis , tibia , surgery , soft tissue , chondrosarcoma , sarcoma , pathology
Pelvic sarcoma resections present large and complex defects, which are a challenge to reconstruct. At times, these cancers are treated with external hemipelvectomy, and both the soft tissue and bony framework of the pelvic ring must be addressed. The purpose of this case report is to describe the use of a free tibia and fibula‐fillet‐of‐leg flap for pelvic ring reconstruction, performed to enhance the quality of life of a patient following hemipelvectomy. A 50‐year‐old female with advanced stage undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of the left thigh and pelvis underwent free vascularized tibia and fibula‐fillet‐of‐leg flap, including 21 cm of bone length and 21 cm long and full circumferential soft tissues of the leg, accompanying the bone, for the reconstruction of the bony pelvis and soft tissue. Postoperatively, the patient had no surgical complications, was followed for 6 months and went on to have bony healing, and was able to sit prior to disease progression and eventual death from metastatic disease. In the reported case, we have shown that composite tibia–fibula free flap with lower leg soft tissues may be a viable option for the reconstruction of massive external hemipelvectomy defects.