Open AccessVersatility of the microvascular fibular flap in limb reconstruction
Author(s) -
Miguel de la Parra-Márquez,
Oscar Zorola-Tellez,
Silvia Cárdenas-Rodríguez,
Jesús María Rangel-Flores,
Gerardo Sánchez-Terrones
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
cirugía y cirujanos
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2444-0507
DOI - 10.1016/j.circen.2016.04.013
Subject(s) - fibula , medicine , tibia , ulna , humerus , osteosynthesis , surgery , femur , distal tibia , external fixator
BackgroundThe structural characteristics of the fibula, strength, shape, length and limited donor site morbidity make it more suitable for reconstructing long bone defects larger than 6cm in the limbs.Material and methodsA descriptive study was conducted using a non-probabilistic sample of consecutive cases undergoing on limb reconstruction with free fibular flap in the period from January 2010 to January 2015 in the Mexican Institute of Social Security No. 21, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon.ResultsThe mean age of the ten cases included was 25 years, with the most common diagnosis being trauma in 4 patients, osteosarcoma in 2, followed by one congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia, one non-union fracture, and one gunshot wounds, respectively. The most common location was tibia, followed by humerus, radius, ulna and femur.ConclusionsThis study has shown that the fibular free flap can be an excellent option for management of long bone defects, regardless of cause of the injury. One or more skin islands can be added for coverage in exposure of deep tissue and osteosynthesis material, thus preserving the septocutaneous perforators