Intra-operative acute leg ischaemia after free fibula flap harvest for mandible reconstruction

Acta Chir Belg. 2006 Jul-Aug;106(4):423-6. doi: 10.1080/00015458.2006.11679921.

Abstract

Osteosarcomas of the cranial bones need a large surgical radical resection. The best option to reconstruct mandible defect after resection is the free fibula flap. In our patient an acute ischaemic leg occurred just after the free fibula flap harvest for mandible reconstruction. The abnormal distribution of the calf arteries leads to catastrophic consequences. The peroneal artery could be the main dominant artery of the leg in a small number of patients. We reported an extremely rare case of "peronea magna", described in less than 0.2% of the global population. A careful pre-operative workup of the calf vessels is required in all the patients who need free fibula flap harvest.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bone Transplantation*
  • Female
  • Fibula / blood supply
  • Fibula / surgery*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Graft Survival
  • Humans
  • Intraoperative Complications*
  • Ischemia / etiology*
  • Leg / blood supply*
  • Mandible / surgery*
  • Mandibular Neoplasms / surgery
  • Necrosis
  • Osteosarcoma / surgery
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures*
  • Popliteal Artery / abnormalities
  • Tibial Arteries / abnormalities
  • Tissue and Organ Harvesting / adverse effects*