Abstract
Chronic osteomyelitis is an inflammatory disease of bones and adjacent soft tissues resulting in impaired perfusion. Radical treatment methods include thorough debridement of both the skeleton and soft tissues and covering the resulting defect with a free flap with independent vascular supply.
After transfer, the flap has multiple essential roles. It provides enough perfused tissue of good quality to cover the exposed skeletal bone.
The flap contains enough tissue to enable further surgical interventions related to the skeleton. In the early postoperative period, systemically administered antibiotics in adequate concentrations are brought to the site as a result of independent perfusion.
The well-perfused tissue also aids in healing of the bone, following radical treatment.