The complications of fasciocutaneous flaps

We analyzed the complications in a series of 126 fasciocutaneous flaps. The overall complication rate was 40%, which included both early and late complications. The early complications were divided into major and minor groups. The main avoidable causes of major complications were poor design; the presence of orthopedic metal in the wound; and late referral of infected wounds, particularly of the lower leg. In all the cases in which partial necrosis occurred, the fascia had an adequate blood supply, either to allow the wound to heal with dressings or, if the necrosis was more extensive, to provide a good bed for a split-skin graft.