Poster 101, Language: EnglishSchön, Ralf/Schramm, Alexander/Gellrich, Nils-Claudius/Maier, Wolfgang/Düker, Jürgen/Schmelzeisen, RainerWhen vascular complications are suspected after microsurgical transfer of free fibula bone flaps without a skin island revisional surgery often proved to be unnecessary. Colour duplex sonography for the postoperative monitoring of bone grafts is demonstrated. The immediate postoperative monitoring and follow up of 12 free fibula bone flaps without a skin island by colour duplex sonography with a 7.5 Mhz scanner (Elegra®, Siemens, Germany) was performed.
Using colour duplex sonography the perfusion of the vascular pedicle could be demonstrated in all 12 fibula flaps. In three patients vascular complications and failure of the flaps were suspected. Using colour duplex sonography adequate perfusion of the vascular pedicle was demonstrated immediately postoperatively and in the daily follow up. Therefore revisional surgery was not indicated. Colour duplex sonography is a reliable, non invasive and inexpensive method for the postoperative monitoring of free bone flaps.
Keywords: colour duplex sonography, microsurgery, free fibula flap, monitoring