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J Reconstr Microsurg 2006; 22(1): 041-048
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-931906
Copyright © 2006 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Free Fasciocutaneous Flaps in the Treatment of Chronic Osteomyelitis of the Tibia: A Retrospective Study

Mirjam Zweifel-Schlatter1 , Martin Haug1 , Dirk J. Schaefer1 , Edith Wolfinger2 , Peter Ochsner3 , Gerhard Pierer1
  • 1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
  • 2Department of Plastic Surgery, Kantonsspital Chur, Switzerland
  • 3Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kantonsspital Liestal, Switzerland
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted: September 20, 2005

Publication Date:
19 January 2006 (online)

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ABSTRACT

The efficacy of free fasciocutaneous flaps for the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis of the tibia was evaluated in a retrospective study. A series of 14 patients is reported who underwent soft-tissue reconstruction using different free fasciocutaneous flaps after radical debridement. Radical debridement and microvascular reconstruction were performed in two operative steps. The mean duration of disease was 14 years (range: 6 months to 37 years). At a mean follow-up of 31.4 (12 to 52) months, there was no evidence of recurrence of osteomyelitis.

This retrospective study validates that fasciocutaneous flaps can be used for microsurgical soft-tissue reconstruction after radical debridement in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis. The introduction of free fasciocutaneous flaps has challenged the dictum of the therapy of chronic osteomyelitis with muscle flaps.

KEYWORDS

Free fasciocutaneous flaps - chronic osteomyelitis - tibia

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Mirjam Zweifel-SchlatterM.D. 

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital of Basel

Spitalstr. 21, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland

Email: mzweifel@uhbs.ch

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