The morbidity of the free vascularised fibula flap

Twenty patients who had undergone free vascularised fibula flap transfers were reviewed to determine the incidence of peri and postoperative complications. The mean follow-up was 3.2 years (0.2-10); 18 grafts were successful, but required 10 re-operations for complications including 5 haematoma evacuations and 3 bone grafts and plates for delayed or non-union. The two unsuccessful fibula grafts required 11 re-operations, the majority for infections and non-union. Technical details of the operative procedure are reviewed for their part in the complications.