Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of free corticoperiosteal medial femoral condyle (MFC) flap for ankle, hindfoot and midfoot reconstruction in patients with recalcitrant nonunion.
Methods: Patients who underwent ankle and foot reconstruction using the MFC flap at our clinic were recruited for assessment of the union rate, time to union and functional outcome. Furthermore, a clinical and radiological examination of the donor knee was performed using both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.
Results: Thirteen patients with a mean follow-up time of 2.5 years were included; 10 of them had a previously failed ankle and foot arthrodesis. Union was achieved in 11 patients in an average time of 10 months after MFC flap surgery. Donor site morbidity was minor with no radiological evidence for soft tissue or bone complication.
Conclusion: MFC flaps are a useful and safe reconstructive tool and may be considered after failed ankle and foot arthrodesis.
Keywords: Ankle arthrodesis; Bone flap; Donor site morbidity; Foot arthrodesis; Medial femoral condyle; Recalcitrant nonunion.
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