A Novel Limb Salvage Technique of External Fixation Protection of Lower Extremity Plastic Reconstructions with Immediate Postoperative Ambulation (Bibbo Flap and Frame Technique).
Abstract
Non-weight bearing is mandatory after soft tissue reconstructions of the weight-bearing and the high-pressure areas in the lower extremity. The most common method of patient mobilization after surgical reconstruction of chronic foot and ankle wounds has been to place patients non-weight bearing with crutches, walkers, or a wheelchair. Often patients are older, have more complex medical comorbidities, are deconditioned, and simply cannot comply with the prescribed weight-bearing status with these methods, which leads to deconditioning, depression, or noncompliance. Noncompliance quickly leads to failure of the reconstructive effort and the serious threat of limb loss.
This paper has been withdrawn.