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Research Article| Volume 46, ISSUE 6, P466-469, 1993

The morbidity of the free vascularised fibula flap

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      Summary

      Twenty patients who had undergone free vascularised fibula flap transfers were reviewed to determine the incidence of peri and postoperative complications. The mean follow-up was 3.2 years (0.2–10); 18 grafts were successful, but required 10 re-operations for complications including 5 haematoma evacuations and 3 bone grafts and plates for delayed or non-union. The two unsuccessful fibula grafts required 11 re-operations, the majority for infections and non-union. Technical details of the operative procedure are reviewed for their part in the complications.

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