Vascularized muscular and musculocutaneous flaps for management of osteomyelitis.

Thirty-three cases of recalcitrant osteomyelitis treated by free tissue transfer are reviewed. The immediate success rate was 76 per cent; however, on follow-up for at least 1 year, there was a 12 per cent rate of recurrent drainage. The authors conclude that this is a good operation for this problem but that it is not a panacea because if followed long enough, a significant number of patients will develop recurrent drainage.