Microvascular osteocutaneous groin flap in the treatment of an ununited tibial fracture with chronic osteitis. A case report
Fogdestam, I.; Hamilton, R.; Markhede, G.
Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica 51(1): 175-179
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-6470 PMID: 6990681 Document Number: 162138
A 37 yr old man with an ununited tibial fracture combined with a significant skin defect underwent a microvascular transfer of an island osteocutaneous flap of groin skin and iliac crest bone. The bone component of the flap was shown to be a living transplant by observing brisk cancellous bone bleeding when the flap was isolated on its vascular stalk, by rapid fracture healing (weight-bearing 15 wk postoperatively) and by sequential bone scan investigations. Various aspects of the flap blood supply, particularly to bone, are discussed, and reference is made to the use of a more suitable vessel system.