[Treatment of osteomyelitis using free myocutaneous flap in the lower leg].

The primary indication for free muscle transfer to the lower leg is post-traumatic osteomyelitis with soft tissue and bony defects. The intention is to provide sufficient soft tissue covering and a new blood supply. Our experience with 24 free muscle transfers to infected areas on the lower leg is presented. The longest bone infection was 25 years. The indications were early bone infections, infected pseudoarthrosis and chronic osteomyelitis. The indications, contra-indications, method and results are reported. Economic and social advantages of the procedure are also discussed.