Long-term effectiveness of vascularized fibula flap in radiocarpal joint reconstruction following excision of Campanacci grade Ⅲ giant cell tumor

Abstract

To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of vascularized fibula flap in radiocarpal joint reconstruction following excision of Campanacci grade Ⅲ giant cell tumor (GCT) of distal radius. Between December 2010 and December 2014, 10 patients with Campanacci grade Ⅲ GCT of distal radius were treated with en bloc excision and inradiocarpal joint reconstruction using vascularized fibula flap. They were 6 males and 4 females, with an average age of 39.9 years (range, 22-65 years). The disease duration was 1.5-6.0 months (mean, 2.6 months). The length of distal radius defect was 6.0-12.5 cm (mean, 8.4 cm) after en bloc excision of GCT. Vascularized fibula flap with inferior lateral genicular vessels were performed in 6 patients and with inferior lateral genicular vessels and peroneal vessels in 4 cases. All incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 4.4-8.3 years (mean, 6.0 years). There was no tumor recurrence during follow-up. At last follow-up, the mean ranges of motion of wrist joint were 55.0° (range, 25-85°) in extension, 26.5° (range, 15-40°) in flexion, 12.0° (range, 5-25°) in radial deviation, 19.6° (range, 10-30°) in ulnar deviation, 50.5° (range, 5-90°) in pronation, and 66.5° (range, 20-90°) in supination. The mean grip strength of effected wrist was 75% (range, 60%-85%) of the healthy wrist. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score was 82.7% (range, 75%-90%). X-ray films showed that the fibula flap healed at 12-16 weeks after operation (mean, 14.1 weeks) and there were 9 cases of radiological complications. For Campanacci grade Ⅲ GCT of distal radius, application of the vascularized fibula flap in radiocarpal joint reconstruction after en bloc excision of GCT can obtain good wrist function.