Morbidity of the Free Fibular Flap in Reconstructive Surgery

Background: Our study evaluated long-term morbidities in patients and compared subjective morbidities to those measurable objectively. Methods: Patients completed a questionnaire regarding long-term morbidity, filled out the Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire by Ruscheweyh et al. and were examined physically. Results: Eighty-two patients were included in the study, 31 patients returned to the clinic for further evaluation and testing. The most common morbidities were weakened dorsiflexion of the great toe (34 patients), reduced ambulatory status (33), and muscle weakness (31). A significant correlation (p < 0.01) was found between higher pain intensity and high pain sensitivity scores. However, donor-site morbidities were not significantly associated with pre-existing comorbidities like smoking, diabetes, or age over 70. Subjective morbidities were reported 2.3 times more frequently than objectively measured ones. Conclusions: Our findings suggest a notable discrepancy between subjective and objective morbidities, highlighting the importance of considering patients' subjective experiences when assessing postoperative outcomes and rehabilitation progress.