TY - JOUR A1 - ADIGUN, I A1 - ODEBODE, T T1 - Microvascular free flap reconstruction: The challenges in the developing country Y1 - 2004/4/1 JF - Sahel Medical Journal JO - Sahel Med J SP - 73 EP - 75 VL - 7 IS - 2 UR - https://www.smjonline.org/article.asp?issn=1118-8561;year=2004;volume=7;issue=2;spage=73;epage=75;aulast=ADIGUN N2 - After years of development, microvascular free tissue transfer has been firmly established as the primary method for reconstrutive surgery. The concept of using a reconstructive ladder to repair complex defects has been revolutionized and the tradition of using free flap surgery as the last resort has been challenged. In a developing country like ours , surgeons are still contending with the basic prol;΋lems of microvascular free tissue transplantation . An 18- year old student presented to our hospital with a diagnosis of osteomyelitis of the frontal bone. A radical debrid ement of osteomyelitic bone was done and the defect created was repaired with a microvascular free lattisimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap. The procedure lasted about 16 hours with a long duration of warm ischaemic time , but the flap survived. Institutional support Is highly necessary for making available appropriate microvascular instruments, operating microscope, pharmacologic agents, : allocation of operative time and post operative care, if we must make In the field of fflicrovascular surgery In the West African sub-region . ER -