BACKGROUND: The free vascularized fibular bone graft, first described in 1975, has become one of the most commonly used bone grafts. It is useful for reconstructing mandibular and traumatic long bone defects and defects following tumor resection. This flap, however, does not have a long pedicle and does not have very much volume. The authors report a solution to these problems through the use of an omental flap as a bridge. METHODS: Over a 3-year period, nine patients were treated by means of a free fibular osteocutaneous flap with an omental flap. These cases required bone reconstruction without suitable recipient vessels that existed near the defect. The nine patients had the following disorders: two femoral pseudoarthrosis, two tibial pseudoarthrosis, two malignant femoral tumors, one maxillary defect after tumor resection, and one femoral and tibial osteomyelitis. RESULTS: All flaps were transferred successfully. In one case, an additional skin graft was performed because of partial omental necrosis that occurred within 2 weeks. Fibular synostosis developed in eight cases, but amputation was performed in one case because of failed fibular synostosis. In one case, femoral amputation was performed because the femoral artery became obstructed 3 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: An omental flap has a long pedicle for use as a bridge flap. It is useful as a vascular flap. A combined fibular osteocutaneous and omental flap is useful for bone reconstruction without satisfactory recipient vessels that exist near the defect. Furthermore, the flap is useful for infected wounds.
BACKGROUND: The free vascularized fibular bone graft, first described in 1975, has become one of the most commonly used bone grafts. It is useful for reconstructing mandibular and traumatic long bone defects and defects following tumor resection. This flap, however, does not have a long pedicle and does not have very much volume. The authors report a solution to these problems through the use of an omental flap as a bridge. METHODS: Over a 3-year period, nine patients were treated by means of a free fibular osteocutaneous flap with an omental flap. These cases required bone reconstruction without suitable recipient vessels that existed near the defect. The nine patients had the following disorders: two femoral pseudoarthrosis, two tibial pseudoarthrosis, two malignant femoral tumors, one maxillary defect after tumor resection, and one femoral and tibial osteomyelitis. RESULTS: All flaps were transferred successfully. In one case, an additional skin graft was performed because of partial omental necrosis that occurred within 2 weeks. Fibular synostosis developed in eight cases, but amputation was performed in one case because of failed fibular synostosis. In one case, femoral amputation was performed because the femoral artery became obstructed 3 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: An omental flap has a long pedicle for use as a bridge flap. It is useful as a vascular flap. A combined fibular osteocutaneous and omental flap is useful for bone reconstruction without satisfactory recipient vessels that exist near the defect. Furthermore, the flap is useful for infected wounds.