Objective: The paper reviewed the effectiveness and reliability of skin paddles of free fibula flaps in the reconstruction of maxillofacial defects.
Methods: Fifty-five consecutive free fibula osteocutaneous flap transfers performed from June 21, 1999 to October 31, 2000 were reviewed. The skin paddles of each flap were analyzed in terms of surgical design, blood supply, size, reconstruction location, and survival.
Results: Fifty-seven skin paddles were used for the 55 free fibula flaps (double skin paddles for 2 flaps), 37 were nurtured by one perforator, 18 by two and two by 3 perforators. Twenty-eight skin paddles were used for intraoral reconstruction, 7 for extraoral reconstruction, 1 for both intraoral and extraoral reconstruction, 2 for soft tissue augmentation, and the remaining 19 were simply used as window for monitoring the blood flow of fibula flap. One free fibula flap with one skin paddle was lost because of venous thrombosis, and the other 54 flaps survived completely, with 100% survival of 56 skin paddles.
Conclusion: The skin paddle of free fibula flap is safe and reliable. It can be used for all kinds of soft tissue reconstruction, as well as window for monitoring the blood flow of fibula flap after operation.