Abstract
Background: Fibula free flap (FFF) is the preferred osteocutaneous flap for reconstruction of large head and neck composite defects. There is a paucity of data whether FFF can be performed safely in patients with knee replacement (total knee arthroplasty [TKA]). Methods: Multi-institutional review of outcomes following FFF in patients who had prior TKA. Results: Ten surgeons reported successful FFF in 53 patients with prior TKA. The most common preoperative imaging was a CT angiogram of the bilateral lower extremities. There was no evidence of intraoperative vascular abnormality. Physical therapy began between postoperative day 1 to postoperative day 3. At 1 month postoperatively, 40% of patients were using a cane or walker to ambulate, but by 3 months all had returned to baseline ambulatory status. At >1 year, there were no gait complications. Conclusion: FFF appears safe in patients with prior knee replacement without an increased risk of complications compared to baseline.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 585-589 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Head and Neck |
Volume | 43 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 2021 |
Keywords
- fibula free flap
- fibula reconstruction
- microvascular reconstruction
- safety
- total knee replacement
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Otorhinolaryngology