[Transplantation of the greater omentum and complication]

A series of 13 patients (12 males, 1 female, aged 5-57) operated between 1990 and 1997 is presented. In 12 cases the greater omentum was used to cover tissue defect within upper extremity, in 1 case--lower extremity. Complications at donor site and within extremity were assessed in two groups (group I--5 cases of free omentum graft, group II--8 cases of pedicled omentum graft). Two acceptor site complications (flap necrosis and osteomyelitis) and no donor site complications were observed in group I. In group II 2 similar donor site complications occurred but 5 patients from this group complained of strong abdominal pain due to excessively short pedicle of the graft and 1 case of abdominal hernia occurred. The complications have been analyzed, means for prevention discussed.