Vascularized Osteocutaneous Fibular free Flap for Reconstruction of Mid Foot

Journal of the Korean Society for Surgery of the Hand 2000;9(1):75-79.
Published online May 31, 2000.

Yoon-Kyu Chung, M.D., Joon Pio Hong, M.D., Sug-Won Kim, M.D.

Abstract

  The foot plays a vital role in standing and gait. This function results from harmonious interaction of bones, joints, and soft tissue. An imbalance or a defect in such structures can lead to impaired function of the foot. The mid foot, composed of cunieforms, navicular and cuboid bone, plays a vital role in maintaining longitudinal and transverse arches and injury or defects to this region can cause instability of the foot. This paper reports a case of complex foot injury; soft tissue defect of dorsum of foot, and medial and intermediate cuneiform bone defect, reconstructed in a single stage using vascularized osteocutaneous fibular free flap. Segmented to fit the defects of medial and intermediate cuneiform bones and a skin paddle providing adequate coverage, restored the stability to the arches and function of the midfoot. The fibula osteocutaneous free flap has appealing characteristics for reconstruction of the foot and the complex mid foot injuries can be considered to the long list of indications.

Key Words: Complex foot injuries, Vascularized fibular free flap, Cunieform bone defect