PREOPERATIVE VASCULAR IMAGING FOR THE FIBULAR OSTEOCUTANEOUS FLAP

The fibular osteocutaneous free flap has become a well-accepted method of mandibular reconstruction. Aberrations in the blood supply to the foot affect 5% to 7% of the population, and substantial athlerosclerot ic disease of the lower extremities is often found in elderly individu als, many of whom have been smelters. Therefore, the use of preoperati ve vascular imaging is justified in all patients scheduled for fibular osteocutaneous free-flap harvest. In a series of 25 consecutive patie nts clinically judged to be satisfactory candidates for fibular free-f lay, reconstruction, preoperative arteriograms excluded 4 patients fro m use of this donor site and determined which leg was used in 2 other patients.