Management of chronic osteomyelitis of the lower extremity.

Chronic osteomyelitis is a frequent complication after compound fractures of the lower extremity. Essential in the treatment is the radical debridement of all scar tissue, muscle and infected bone. This often creates large tissue defects, which especially in the distal third of the tibia, can only be closed with a free tissue transfer and revascularized by a microvascular anastomosis. Ten patients were operated on for chronic osteomyelitis of the lower extremity. The latissimus dorsi or rectus abdominis muscle was used as a free flap. During the follow-up period (3-18 months) 9 patients have remained free of symptoms of recurrence.