The free vascularised iliac crest tissue transfer: donor site complications associated with eighty-two cases

Seventy-eight patients who had undergone a total of 82 free vascularised iliac crest tissue transfers were reviewed to determine the incidence of donor site complications. The most frequent problems encountered were early postoperative pain and long term sensory changes. Major complications such as femoral neuropathy and incisional hernia formation were encountered infrequently. More serious potential complications are discussed. In general, the functional loss associated with the free vascularised iliac crest tissue transfer was found to be acceptable, but the inclusion of a skin paddle was noted to be associated with a greater incidence of sensory changes, hernia formation and contour abnormalities.