• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.5
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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.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.6 no.1
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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 Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.34-37
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• 2001

The injury on the dorsum of foot is usually manifested in the defect of bone and soft tissue, so its reconstruction requires composite tissue. Free flap satisfies this defect but its indication is determined by the defect size, recipient status and so on. Iliac crest bone and fibular bone are useful bone flap but in more than 8cm defect, fibular flap is more useful. The drawback of fibular free flap is the absence of soft-tissue coverage, so another local flap and myocutaneous flap must be added. Fibula-hemisoleus ostemusculocutaneous free flap has been used for the reconstruction of upper and lower extremity. Its advantages are one stage operation, one donor site and the flexibility of the reconstruction with the use of muscle, bone, and skin. This flap has never been reported for the reconstruction of dorsum of foot. In our case, 20-year-old woman was referred with the 17 cm defect of 1st metatarsal bone and $16{\times}8cm$ sized soft tissue loss on the dorsum of the right foot. We reconstructed successfully the dorsum of foot with fibula-hemisoleus osteomusculocutaneous free flap and the patient can walk without crutches after 6 monthes.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.381-384
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• 2005

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare malignancy of head and neck region. When rhabdomyosarcoma occurs in maxillary area, total maxillectomy is necessary. Total maxillectomy causes defects of orbital floor, palate, gingiva, and alveolar bone, causing severe facial deformity and functional impairment. Immediate maxillary reconstruction has to cover both bone and soft tissue to minimize cosmetic and functional problems. The fibular osteocutaneous free flap can provide paranasal, gingiva, oral mucosal lining and foundation for dental prosthesis, thus ensuring good cosmetic results and mastication, phonation function. We have experienced a reconstruction case of a 19-year-old man with rhabdomyosarcoma of the left maxillary sinus. The patient underwent total maxillectomy and neck dissection. We designed a fibular free flap that had a vascularized bone segment and a double skin paddle. Surgical outcomes were excellent in cosmetic and functional aspects.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.437-447
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• 2013

The fibula is one of the most useful sources for harvest of a vascularized bone graft. The fibula is a straight, long, tubed bone, much stronger than any other available bone that can currently be used for a vascularized graft. It has a reliable peroneal vascular pedicle with a large diameter and moderate length. There is a definite nutrient artery that enters the medullary cavity, as well as multiple arcade vessels, which add to the supply of the bone through periosteal circulation. The vascularized fibula graft is used mainly for long segment defects of the long tubed bone of the upper and lower extremities. It can provide a long, straight length up to 25 cm in an adult. The fibula can be easily osteotomized and can be used in reconstruction of the curved mandible. Since the first description as a vascularized free fibula bone graft by Taylor in 1975 and as a mandibular reconstruction by Hidalgo in 1989, the fibula has continued to replace the bone and soft tissue reconstruction options in the field of maxillofacial reconstruction. For the better understanding of a fibular free flap, the constant anatomical findings must be learned and memorized by young doctors during the specialized training course for the Korean National Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. This article reviews the anatomical basis of a fibular free flap with Korean language.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.75-79
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• 2000

The foot plays a vital role in standing and gait. This function results from harmonious interaction of bones, joints, and soft tissue. An imbalance or a defect in such structures can lead to impaired function of the foot. The mid foot, composed of cunieforms, navicular and cuboid bone, plays a vital role in maintaining longitudinal and transverse arches and injury or defects to this region can cause instability of the foot. This paper reports a case of complex foot injury; soft tissue defect of dorsum of foot, and medial and intermediate cuneiform bone defect, reconstructed in a single stage using vascularized osteocutaneous fibular free flap. Segmented to fit the defects of medial and intermediate cuneiform bones and a skin paddle providing adequate coverage, restored the stability to the arches and function of the midfoot. The fibula osteocutaneous free flap has appealing characteristics for reconstruction of the foot and the complex mid foot injuries can be considered to the long list of indications.

• Journal of International Society for Simulation Surgery
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.76-79
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• 2015

One of the most serious complications after head and neck radiation is osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the jaw. The etiology of ORN is extraction, minor dental procedure or dental implant surgery. When ORN of the jaw progressed to stage III, free fibular flap is the most useful methods for reconstruction. In this case report, a 67-year-old ORN patient who underwent fibular free flap reconstruction using simulation surgery with 3-dimensional rapid prototype (3D RP) model was reviewed. After partial mandibulectomy, a osteocutaneous fibula flap was used for reconstruction. Oro-cutaneous fistula was resolved after operation. Patients reported improved food intake after operation without pus discharge. Functional and esthetic results showed successful reconstruction.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.85-90
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• 2012

The odontogenic myxoma is a relatively rare, benign tumor that occurs on the jaw. A 41 year-old man visited Seoul National University Dental Hospital because of swelling of the mandible. Clinical and radiographic evaluation showed a huge mass invading most of the mandible. After biopsy, he was diagnosed with odontogenic myxoma. For resection of the lesion, partial mandibulectomy and reconstruction with a vascularized fibular free flap was done. The result showed successful removal of the lesion. Reconstruction resulted in satisfactory functional and esthetic outcomes. We conclude that huge benign neoplasms such as odontogenic myxomas can be successfully treated by using a wide margin of resection followed by vascularized fibular free flap reconstruction.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.27-36
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• 2000

February 1995 to September 1999, authors have experienced seven cases of infected nonunion of tibial fractures with associated soft tissue injury and skin defect, and have accomplished union in all cases by free vascularized fibular graft. All grafts healed with no radiographic evidence of bone necrosis or resorption and have been able to treat large bony defect and skin defect simultaneously. In this study, five cases of vascularized free fibular osteocutaneous flap transfer and two cases of free fibular graft are reported. All of seven cases were infected nonunion of tibia. The results were obtained as follows 1) The mean duration of the radiologic bone union was average 5.3months. 2) Grafted fibular has been hypertrophied, average 10.6 months. 3) In five cases of preservation of posterior cortex of tibia, bony union and hypertrophy of grafted bone were earlier than that two cases of complete segmental resection of tibia. 4) In two cases which only free vascularized fibular graft were performed because achievement of cutaneous flap was failed, authors found that soft tissue defect was filled with granulation tissue and split-thickness skin graft was possible over the granulation tissue after 3 weeks postoperatively.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.68-74
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• 2008

Segmental defects of the tibia after open fractures, sepsis and a tumor surgery are among the most difficult and challenging clinical problems. Tibia defects in these situations are complicated with infection and are resistant to conventional bone grafting techniques. The aim of this study is to report the results and discuss the role of free flap followed by ipsilateral vascularized fibular transposition (IVFT) for reconstruction of tibia defects. Ten patients had free flap followed by IVFT in the period 1989~2007. Mean age was 25.3 years. The patients were followed for an average of 3.4 years. All flaps were survived including 1 case with venous thrombosis requiring additional surgery. The average time to union of proximal and distal end was 5.2 months, 8.2 months, each other. All transposed fibula were viable at last follow-up. IVFT offers the advantages of a vascularized graft. In patients with large bone and soft tissue defects combined with infection, free flap followed by IVFT is an useful and reliable method without microvascular anastomosis.