MR angiography versus color-doppler ultrasound for the preoperative assessment of lower extremities prior to fibula flap transfer: results of a prospective clinical study.

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  4. MR angiography versus color-doppler ultrasound for the preoperative assessment of lower extremities prior to fibula flap transfer: results of a prospective clinical study.
Starting date
January 1, 2004
Duration (months)
60
Departments
Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine
Managers or local contacts
Bedogni Alberto , Nocini Pier Francesco
Keyword
'surgery', mandibular reconstruction', 'Fibula free flap','color doppler', 'magnetic resonance angiography'

Background: Fibula free flap is by far considered the “workhorse” in head and neck surgery to reconstruct osteo-cutaneous defects. Sacrifice of peroneal vessels during fibula harvest can cause ischemia to the leg and foot, when peripheral arterial occlusive disease or vascular anomalies exist.
Methods : 60 patients candidates to jawbones reconstruction by fibula free flap were enrolled in this prospective study. Preoperative evaluation of lower extremities prior to fibula flap transfer was performed by color doppler flow and magnetic resonance angiography in order to compare the accuracy of these procedure.
All legs were evaluated for peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) and anatomical variations that could contraindicate fibula flap harvest.
Donor legs were considered normal at CDF imaging in the presence of triphasic or biphasic flow with a perfect spectral window. Biphasic flow with spectral broadening and/or a “bad” reverse wave and monophasic with or without continuous flow component at popliteal, ATA, PTA and peroneal arteries were considered representative of moderate to severe PAOD.
MRA imaging of the popliteal branching pattern was examined referring to the classification system proposed by Kim et al. Arterial anatomy of the calves was considered normal at MRA if no luminal reduction and a type I pattern was observed. The severity of PAOD at MRA was graded using a 3-point scale: 0, normal; 1, mild stenosis (up to 50% luminal compromise); 2, significant stenosis up to occlusion.
PAOD was considered an absolute contraindication to fibula flap harvest if graded 2 at MRA or when monophasic flow was detected at CDF. Type IIIC pattern was also considered an absolute contraindication. Different types of vascular anomalies were graded and evaluated for any decision making change regarding site of flap harvesting.

Project participants

Alberto Bedogni
Giovanni Carbognin
Temporary Professor
Giovanni Lipari
Pier Francesco Nocini
Full Professor
Ruggero Testoni

Collaboratori esterni

Stefano Valsecchi
Azienda Ospedaliera S. Anna, Como 10. U.O.C. di Chirurgia Maxillo-Facciale Dirigente Medico
Research areas involved in the project
Medical Research, Diagnosis & Treatment
Publications
Title Authors Year
Chirurgia estetica piezoelettrica. Nocini, Pier Francesco; Albanese, Massimo; Bedogni, Alberto; Bertossi, Dario 2011
Vascularized fibula flap reconstruction of the mandible in bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis Nocini, Pier Francesco; Saia, G.; Bettini, Giordana; Ragazzo, M.; Blandamura, S.; Chiarini, L.; Bedogni, Alberto 2009
Chirurgia ricostruttiva del distretto testa-collo. Bedogni, Alberto; Procopio, O. 2006
Crossvalidation of anthropometry against magnetic resonance imaging for the assessment of visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue in children. Brambilla, P; Bedogni, G; Moreno, La; Goran, Mi; Gutin, B; Fox, Kr; Peters, Dm; Barbeau, P; De Simone, M; Pietrobelli, Angelo 2006
Principles of internal fixation for head and neck microsurgical reconstruction : a 15 years experience. Bedogni, Alberto; D'Agostino, Antonio; Trevisiol, Lorenzo; Nocini, Pier Francesco 2006
MICROVASCULAR JAWBONE DEFECTS RECONSTRUCTION:THE FIBULAR FLAP VERSATILITY Nocini, Pier Francesco; Chiarini, L.; Bedogni, Alberto; Valsecchi, S. 2005
Functional rehabilitation of the atrophic mandible and maxilla with fibula flaps and implant-supported prosthesis. De Santis, G; Nocini, Pier Francesco; Chiarini, L; Bedogni, Alberto 2004
IMPLANT SUPPORTED PROSTHESIS REHABILITATION OF JAWBONE DEFECTS WITH VASCULARIZED FIBULA FLAP:A 15 YEARS EXPERIENCE Chiarini, L.; Bedogni, Alberto; Valsecchi, S.; Nocini, Pier Francesco 2004
Lower limb salvage following fibula flap transfer for mandible reconstruction Bedogni, Alberto; Procopio, O; Antonello, M; Cognolato, D; Fusetti, S; Rossi, M; Saia, G; Ferronato, G. 2004

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