A Novel Limb Salvage Technique of External Fixation Protection of Lower Extremity Plastic Reconstructions with Immediate Postoperative Ambulation (Bibbo Flap and Frame Technique).

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.