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Evaluation of fibula free flap donor site morbidity
Alan Garrett1, Yadranko Ducic, Raghu S Athre
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, John Peter Smith Hospital, Fort Worth, TX 76104, USA.
Objective:
To evaluate foot and ankle function in a series of patients undergoing fibula microvascular free tissue transfer.
Study Design:
A nonrandomized, nonblinded analysis was performed using the ankle-hindfoot scale as well as radiographic analysis to determine donor site morbidity.
Results:
Overall, foot ankle function was deemed to be good in this series of patients. Average ankle-hindfoot score was 84.82 of a possible 100 (range, 55-100). Radiographic analysis of donor and contralateral ankles showed no difference in the syndesmotic space or medial clear space. Only 1 patient had increased talar tilt compared with the contralateral side, although this patient had preservation of stability.
Conclusion:
Fibula free flap harvest appears to be associated with acceptable donor site morbidity and preservation of good foot and ankle function in most individuals.