• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.24-28
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• 2004

The vascularity of a skin island in fibula osteocutaneous free flap often depends on musculocutaneous perforators that find their origin in the proximal peroneal artery. But a potential drawback has been reported on the unreliability of the skin paddle. The perforating vessels to the skin paddle of the fibula osteocutaneous free flap were rarely derived from a common tibio-fibula trunk, an anterior tibial artery and a posterior tibial artery. Previous studies have emphasized total loss of the overlying skin paddle, if the expected perforating vessels are not present. We report here on our experience that the skin paddle of the fibula osteocutaneous free flap was vascularized not by a peroneal artery but a direct branch of the posterior tibial artery. There were no intraseptal nor intramuscular pedicles in the posterior crural septum which connected to the overlying skin island. Therefore, we performed microsurgical anastomoses between distal peroneal vessels of the fibula and the perforating branches of the posterior tibial vessels of the skin paddle. The anastomosed skin paddle was salvaged with a peroneal flow through vascular anastomosis and was transferred to the bone and intraoral soft tissue defects with the fibula graft. The patient had no evidence of vascular compromise in the postoperative period and showed good healing of the intraoral skin flap.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.63-72
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• 1997

We have evaluated the clinical results following the 46 cases of free vascularized osteocutaneous fibular flap transfer to the tibial defect combined with skin and soft tissue defect, which were performed from May 1982 to January 1997. Regarding to the operation, flap size, length of the grafted fibula, anastomosed vessels, ischemic time of the flap and total operation time were measured. After the operation, time to union of grafted fibula and the amount of hypertrophy of grafted fibula were periodically measured through the serial X-ray follow-up and also the complications and results of treatment were evaluated. In the 46 consecutive procedures of free vascularized osteocutaneous fibular flap transfer, initial bony union were obtained in the 43 grafted fibulas at average 3.75 months after the operation. There were 2 cases in delayed unions and 1 in nonunion. 44 cutaneous flaps among the 46 cases were survived but 2 cases were necrotized due to deep infection and venous insufficiency. One necrotized flap was treated with latissimus dorsi free flap transfer and the other was treated with soleus muscle rotational flap. Grafted fibulas have been hypertrophied during the follow-up periods. The fracture of grafted fibula(15 cases) was the most common complication and occurred at average 9.7 months after the operation. The fractured fibulas were treated with the cast immobilization or internal fixation with conventional cancellous bone graft. In the cases of tibia and fibula fracture at recipient site, the initial rigid fixation for the fibula fracture at recipient site could prevent the fracture of grafted fibula to the tibia.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제46권5호
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• pp.426-432
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• 2019

Background The mandible is an important structure that is located in the lower third of the face. Large mandibular defects after tumor resection cause loss of its function. This study assessed the outcomes and tumor recurrence after immediate mandibular reconstruction using a free fibula osteocutaneous flap following radical resection of ameloblastoma. Methods This is a retrospective non-randomized study of outcomes and tumor recurrence of all patients diagnosed with mandibular ameloblastoma from August 1997 until August 2017 (20 years) requiring free fibula osteocutaneous flap reconstruction at a single institution. The patients were identified through an electronic operative database; subsequently, their medical records and photo documentation were retrieved. Results Twenty-seven patients were included in this study. Eighteen patients were male, while nine were female. The majority of the patients (48.1%) were in their third decade of life when they were diagnosed with ameloblastoma. All of them underwent radical resection of the tumor with a surgical margin of 2 cm (hemimandibulectomy in cases with a large tumor) and immediate mandibular reconstruction with a free fibula osteocutaneous flap. Two patients required revision of a vascular anastomosis due to venous thrombosis postoperatively, while one patient developed a flap recipient site infection. The flap success rate was 100%. There was no tumor recurrence during a mean follow-up period of 5.6 years. Conclusions Mandibular ameloblastoma should be treated with segmental mandibulectomy (with a surgical margin of 2 cm) to reduce the risk of recurrence. Subsequent mandibular and adjacent soft tissue defects should be reconstructed immediately with a free fibula osteocutaneous flap.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.1-10
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• 2002

Purpose : To analyze the clinical results of free vascularized osteocutaneous fibula graft to tibial defect combined with soft tissue defect and infection. Materials and Methods : In the retrospective study of 51 consecutive cases of vascularized osteocutaneous fibular graft, the length of the grafted fibula, size of the skin flap, anastomosed vessels, ischemic time of the flap, time for union, hypertrophy of fibula and the complications were evaluated. Results : Initial bony union of the grafted fibula was obtained at 3.74 months after operation, except 4 cases of nonunion and delayed union. The weight bearing without external supports was possible at 18 months after operation in average. The fracture of grafted fibula was most common complication(16 cases). Conclusion : The vascularized osteocutaneous fibula graft provided satisfactory bony union and functional results in the cases not responsible for conventional treatment methods.

• 대한두개안면성형외과학회지
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.105-109
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• 2021

The use of a fibula osteocutaneous flap is currently the mainstay of segmental mandibular reconstruction. This type of flap is used to treat tumors, trauma, or osteoradionecrosis of the mandible. However, a fibula osteocutaneous flap may also be a good option for reconstructing the mandible to preserve oropharyngeal function and facial appearance in cases of pathological fracture requiring extensive segmental bone resection. Chronic osteomyelitis is one of the various causes of subsequent pathologic mandibular fractures; however, it is rare, and there have been few reports using free flaps in osteomyelitis of the mandible. We share our experience with a 76-year-old patient who presented with a pathologic fracture following osteomyelitis of the mandible that was reconstructed using a fibula osteocutaneous flap after wide segmental resection.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제45권6호
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• pp.495-503
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• 2018

With significant improvements in success rates for free flap reconstruction of the head and neck, attention has turned to donor site morbidity associated with osteocutaneous free flaps. In this review, we address the morbidity associated with harvest of the four most commonly used osteocutaneous flaps; the free fibula flap, the scapula flap, the iliac crest flap and the radial forearm flap. A comprehensive literature search was performed to identify articles relevant to donor site morbidity for these flaps. We assessed morbidity in terms of incidence of delayed healing, chronic pain, aesthetic outcomes, site specific complications and patient satisfaction/quality of life. Weighted means were calculated when sufficient studies were available for review. The radial forearm and free fibula flaps are associated with high rates of delayed healing of approximately 20% compared to the scapular (<10%) and iliac flaps (5%). The radial forearm flap has higher rates of chronic pain (16.7%) and dissatisfaction with scar appearance (33%). For the majority of these patients harvest of one of these four osteocutaneous does not limit daily function at long-term follow-up. The scapular osteocutaneous flap is associated with the lowest relative morbidity and should be strongly considered when the recipient defect allows. The radial forearm is associated with higher morbidity in terms of scarring, fractures, chronic pain and wrist function and should not be considered as first choice when other flap options are available.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.75-80
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• 2001

Purpose : We have evaluated the morbidity of donor site after transfer of free fibular osseous and osteocutaneous flap to defect site of bone and soft tissue due to chronic osteomyelitis of long tubular bone, open fracture with bony defect, bone or soft tissue tumor and congenital anomaly. Materials and methods : The 54 cases of 79 cases to be carried out from May, 1982 to May, 2001 which could be followed up were reviewed. There were forty nine in male and five in female. The mean age was 35(4 to 66)years old and mean follow up period is 21.3 month(12 to 72). We have retrospectively analyzed the various postoperative complications such as compartment syndrome, donor site infection, skin defect, hypesthesia, hammer toes, ankle instability and activity of daily living by help of questionnaire, telephone, physical examination, follow up x-ray study and chart. Results : In the total 54 cases the medication period for pain control after operation were classified into three groups under 2 weeks(49 cases), from 2 weeks to 6 weeks(3 cases) and over 6 weeks(2 cases). The postoperative morbidity were occurred in total 12 cases(compartment syndrome: 0, infection : 2, skin defect: 1, hypesthesia: 5, hammer toe: 2 ankle pain: 2 discomfort in activity of daily living: 0), and also the morbidity rates of donor site were 23.5% in osseous flap and 21.6% in osteocutaneous flap were occurred. There was no statistical significonce in morbidity between osseous and osteocutaneous free fibular flap transfer(P>0.05). Discussion : In general the morbidity of free fibular flap transfer was relatively high but it did not have any effect on daily activity of living. We think that the meticulous operation technique, detailed wound care and early range of motion exercise will reduce the morbidity of donor site of flap.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.44-48
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• 2000

The advent of free bone flaps has made successful replacement of extensive areas of bone loss in the upper and lower extremities. The microvascular free bone flaps have faster healing without bony absorption or atrophy and can heal in the hostile environment of scarred bed or infection. Since the fibula free flap introduced by Taylor and colleague in 1975, it has been used extensively for skeletal reconstruction of extremities. In 1988, the folded vascularized fibula free flap was first described as a technique to reconstruct significant long bone defect of upper and lower extremities. During the same time, the fibular free flap has evolved to become most preferred choice of mandibular reconstruction. Up to present day, few reports have been made on the fibular free flap used for reconstruction of injured hand containing metacarpal bone and soft tissue defect. We present here our new and unique experiences with vascularized fibular osteocutaneous free flap as useful and satisfactory one for reconstruction of hand with composite defects.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제33권5호
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• pp.637-642
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• 2006

Purpose: Incidence of chronic osteomyelitis in femur is lower than that of tibia due to abundantsurrounding soft tissue like muscles and subcutaneous fat. However, if the femur is infected, surgical approach would be very difficult because of surrounding soft tissue and bony defects would be getting larger due to the late detection. Chronic osteomyelitis of femur is an intractable disease with frequent recurrence and remained bone instability in spite of multiple classical operations. Methods: From August 1998 to October 2005, we had 7 cases of fibular osteocutaneous free flap to reconstruct the femur. Those were followed-up for 23 months. All 7 cases were male. 4 cases were in midshaft and the others are distal part of femur. Results: The 7 cases that had not been healed in spite of average 9.1 times previous operations were reconstructed successfully without the recurrence of chronic osteomyelitis. Continuous rehabilitation therapy and brace were very helpful for the ambulation. It took 5.6 months for complete union of bone, and 9.8 months for the ambulation. Conclusion: After wide resection, reconstruction of the femur using fibular osteocutaneous free flap guaranteed bone stability and prevented recurrence of osteomyelitis through rich blood supplying fibula and muscle. Double barrel graft of fibula would be needed in case of the sufficient strength and thickness of femur. We report the successful results of reconstruction of femur with fibular osteocutaneous free flap for chronic osteomyelitis of femur.

• Journal of International Society for Simulation Surgery
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.1-6
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• 2015

Purpose Bisphophonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is an emerging problem. Extensive osteonecrosis of the jaw needs free flap reconstruction. Free fibular flap is the most useful flap for maxilla-mandibular hard and soft tissue reconstruction. The advantages of fibular free flap are simultaneous soft and hard tissue reconstruction and placing implant in reconstructed mandible and maxilla. In this study, four consecutive BRONJ patients who underwent fibula free flap reconstruction using simulation surgery were reviewed. Materials and Methods Four BRONJ patients who underwent free fibula reconstruction between May 2006 and September 2014 were included in this study. Male to female ratio was 1:3 and average age was 67.3 years old (62-70). All patients need mandibular bone reconstruction. Three patients suffered from osteoporosis and one male patient had multiple myeloma. Postoperative flap survival, functional reconstruction, esthetic results, food taking were evaluated. Results Three osseous flaps and one osteocutaneous flap were used. All the fibular flaps were survived and patients were recovered without complications. Oro-cutaneous fistula was resolved after operation. All patients were satisfied with the esthetic results. Patients reported improved solid food intake after operation with partial denture. One fully edentulous patient had semi-fluid diet after operation. Conclusion Treatment of the BRONJ is difficult due to lack of standard protocol. Fibular free flap using simulation surgery is the workhorse flap for mandibular hard and soft tissue reconstruction, especially in stage III BRONJ patient. In this study, functional and esthetic results were successful in all patients. Normal diet was possible with partial dentures.