Free Vascularized Fibular Graft Research Articles

Skeletal reconstruction with a free vascularized fibula graft associated to bone allograft after resection of malignant bone tumor of limbs.

Over the last twenty years, progress in diagnosis and in adjuvant therapy in the field of malignant bone tumor treatment has allowed for development of limb-saving surgical techniques after oncological excision. In this context, the use of vascularized fibula for transplantation represents an important instrument in the reconstruction of bone, either with or without allografts.Moreover, in pediatric cases, the vascularized transplant of the proximal fibula with its open physis allows for an adequate reconstruction of the bone loss and the possibility of conserving the growth potential of the segment. The purpose of this article is to illustrate the various reconstructive possibilities that the use of the combined graft technique (VFT plus allograft) offers in the treatment of large-scale bone loss. In our department from 1988 to 2000, 142 vascularized fibula transplants were performed in oncological cases. Surgical reconstruction was carried out on the tibia in 70 cases, on the femur in 40, on the humerus in 26 and on the radius in 6. Combined graft intercalary reconstructions were 92. In 22 pediatric cases the fibula was transplanted, including the proximal growing epiphysis in the graft; in two of these cases massive allograft was associated to the VFG. Because of its biological properties, the grafted vascularized fibula allowed for fast bone fusion at the level of the osteotomy. It has also demonstrated a tendency of progressive hypertrophy and osteointegration with the allograft, when used. In 22 pediatric cases, the fibula graft with the proximal epiphysis maintained its ability to grow. Unsuccessful outcomes caused by vascular, mechanical, or septic failure were equal to 8.2 %. The fibula graft in the reconstruction of bone loss secondary to oncological excision is a trustworthy and versatile technique.

Long-term results of free vascularized fibular grafting for femoral head necrosis.

The current authors report on the long-term results of free vascularized fibula transplantation for the treatment of idiopathic femoral head necrosis. Briefly, the technique introduced by the authors in 1978 involves the excision of the necrosed bone and its replacement by autologous cancellous bone taken from the iliac crest. The contralateral fibula with its nutrient vessels is introduced through the head and neck of the femur and the vessels are anastomosed microsurgically to the anterior circumflex artery and vein. The current study assesses 60 patients (68 hips) operated on from 1978 to 1985 with an average followup of 18 years (range, 15-22 years). The overall results were good in 52% of the patients. In relation to the stage of necrosis according to the classification system of Marcus et al, good results were achieved in 80% of the patients with Stages II and III disease. In relation to patient age, good results were obtained in 80% of the patients operated on before the age of 40 years. The long-term results indicate that the method of free vascularized fibula transplantation used by the authors is a valuable method for the treatment of idiopathic osteonecrosis of the femoral head for patients younger than 40 years of age with Stage II or III necrosis.

The relationship between diagnosis and outcome in arthroscopy of the hip

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the results of arthroscopy of the hip for osteonecrosis (ON) with those obtained for other diagnoses by presenting a cohort of patients with diagnosis and symptoms as dependant variables in a consecutive series of 86 cases of hip arthroscopy. Type of Study: Retrospective review of outcomes. Methods: There were 83 patients (86 hips) who underwent arthroscopy. Indications included ON (43%), labral injuries (20%), osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease, DJD) (10%), Legg-Calvé-Perthes (LCP) disease (10%), and loose bodies (10%). All but 2 patients had had symptoms for at least 6 months. Symptoms were pain (100%), mechanical problems (78%), and loss of motion (56%). Arthroscopy was performed in the supine position, using a standard traction table, 30° and/or 70°arthroscopes, and the anterior and peritrochanteric portals. Data were collected longitudinally, retrospectively reviewed, and statistically analyzed. Results: No complications were seen; 60% of the patients had significant improvement over an average follow-up of 30 months. Better results were with labral tears (91%, P <.003) or LCP disease (89%, P <.05). ON and DJD did worse with only 40% and 44% improvement, respectively. After free-vascularized fibular graft (FVFG), 34% of patients showed improvement at follow-up (P =.003). Eighteen patients (21%) underwent total hip arthroplasty at an average of 8.4 months after arthroscopy. Mechanical symptoms were a significant favorable prognostic factor (P =.0019), with 85% having a good result. Patients with ON and mechanical symptoms had a significantly lower conversion rate to total hip arthroplasty than those with only pain or pain and decreased range of motion (P =.0043). Conclusions: Arthroscopy of the hip is useful for diagnosis and therapy of loose bodies, labral injuries, focal chondral lesions, or the late sequellae of LCP disease. We conclude that the presence of mechanical symptoms is a favorable prognostic factor for any diagnosis except degenerative arthritis. Furthermore, the identification of mechanical symptoms is a specific indication for arthroscopy in ON before or after FVFG.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 17, No 2 (February), 2001: pp 181–188

Functional development of the donor leg after vascularized fibula graft in childhood

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of free vascularized fibula grafts on developing donor leg function, the authors reviewed their experience of procedures performed in children. Methods: Over a 10-year period, 30 children (average age 7.2 years, without gender concern) underwent fibula harvest via an anterolateral approach. Graft length averaged 6.0 cm. Follow-up averaged 8 years. Results: No vascular injury or shank dysplasia ensued. Neural injury occurred in 8 patients: to the profound peroneal nerve in 1 and to the superficial peroneal nerve in 7. Symptoms resolved spontaneously at 3 to 5 months in 6, but persisted in 2 patients in the latter group at 8 years' follow-up. Of 24 children who underwent rapid walking (200 m) followed by immediate stair climbing (50 steps), 2 (whose grafts were longer than average) had slight and 1 had obvious ankle pain. However, muscle strength and range of motion in the donor ankle were no different from values in the recipient leg in the 24 cases. X-ray findings showed that, with growth, the remaining 2 fibular segments in the donor leg became longer, but the length of the gap between did not change. Thus, the gap left by harvest became relatively shorter long after operation, benefiting the stability of the ankle joint in adulthood. Conclusion: Unlike free vascularized fibula grafts performed in adulthood, from which serious complications to the donor leg have been reported, the procedure performed in childhood appears not to have an adverse effect on functional development. J Pediatr Surg 35:1226-1229. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.

Fixation methods in mandibular reconstruction using fibula grafts: A comparative study into the relative strength of three different types of osteosynthesis

BACKGROUND: Bone staples made of a nickel titanium alloy exert dynamic compression, require little dissection, and may provide an alternative to conventional fixation in mandibular reconstruction with a free vascularized fibula graft. METHODS: To evaluate its stability relative to conventional methods of fixation with interosseous wires or miniplates, an in vitro model using beech dowels was developed. Torsional stiffness and strength and compression stiffness and strength were examined. RESULTS: The compression test results showed that maximum strength of interosseous wires is significantly less than memory staples, which in turn are significantly weaker than titanium miniplates. Miniplates are significantly the most rigid form of fixation. Torsional testing showed no significant difference in strength between staples and miniplates and only a marginal difference in elasticity. Interosseous wires show a rapid decrease of strength and rigidity during torsional stress. CONCLUSION: When considering interosseous wires the least and miniplates the most stable form of fixation by which bone healing can occur, memory staples can provide enough stability to ensure consolidation. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 23: 1-7, 2001.

Proximal femur fractures after free vascularized fibular grafting to the hip.

The management of symptomatic femoral head osteonecrosis in young, active patients is troublesome and controversial. At the authors' institution, 707 consecutive free vascularized fibular grafts were performed for femoral head osteonecrosis between October 1979 and October 1995. Patients who underwent this procedure were at increased risk for proximal femur fractures because of the 16 to 21 mm core drilled through the lateral femoral cortex for removal of the avascular bone and placement of the fibular graft. An ongoing prospective database of patients who underwent this procedure was accessed to determine the incidence of and factors associated with postoperative subtrochanteric femur fractures. Eighteen subtrochanteric fractures occurred for an overall incidence of 2.5%. All fractures occurred through the core decompression site in the lateral femoral cortex. The treatment was nonoperative in seven patients and operative in 11. Fourteen of 18 fractures (77%) healed with an average of 4.1 months until radiographically documented union. Four fractures had nonunions develop, three of which later healed with bone grafting and internal fixation, whereas the fourth eventually required conversion to total hip arthroplasty. Twelve fractures in 251 patients occurred when the weightbearing regimen was touchdown weightbearing for the first 6 weeks and five fractures in 456 patients occurred when the weightbearing regimen was changed to nonweightbearing. The results indicate that nonweightbearing in the immediate postoperative period is associated with the lowest fracture rate.

Treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head with free vascularized fibular transfer.

Thirty-one free vascularized fibular bone grafts were performed for treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head in 26 patients. Twenty-four men and 2 women ranged in age from 16 to 48 years (mean, 32 years). Twenty-one patients had unilateral disease. Five patients had bilateral disease and underwent staged bilateral free vascularized fibular grafts 3 months apart. Associated etiological factors included alcohol (9 patients), steroid use (7 patients), and trauma (1 patient). The condition was considered idiopathic in the remaining 9 patients. Radiological staging by Ficat included stage I in 1 hip, stage II in 15 hips, stage III in 14 hips, and stage IV in 1 hip. A skin island flap was used for monitoring purposes to check the patency of blood flow to the grafted fibula. One flap failed by venous occlusion and was left as a nonvascularized bone graft. Thirty hips were followed. Pain was relieved in 28 hips (93.3%) and aggravated in 2 hips (6.7%). On radiographic evaluation, 26 hips (86.7%) demonstrated excellent preservation of the femoral head contour. Progressive collapse of the femoral head (>1-2 mm) occurred in two hips, with 1-mm depression in one hip with stage III disease and 2-mm collapse in one hip with stage IV disease. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 40 months (mean, 21 months). In conclusion, even in this relatively short follow-up period, the free vascularized fibular bone graft is an excellent treatment modality for preserving the femoral head and relieving symptoms in patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Treatment of Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head with Free Vascularized Fibular Graft

Treatment of Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head with Free Vascularized Fibular Graft

Free Vascularized Fibula Grafting for the Treatment of Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head

Sixty-five patients (88 hips) who received free vascularized fibula grafting for treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, were followed for at least 3 years (average followup, 5.5 years; range, 3-7 years). There were 46 men and 19 women with an average age of 37 years (range, 20-52 years). All patients were evaluated using history, physical examination, Harris Hip Score, anteroposterior and lateral radiographs, and magnetic resonance images. The classification system of Steinberg et al (1995) was used to stage the disease. At final evaluation, 31 hips (35.2%) were rated excellent (Harris Hip Score > 90 points, minimal or no pain), 30 hips (34.1%) were rated good (Harris Hip Score 80-89 points, slight pain), seven hips (8%) were rated fair (Harris Hip Score 70-79, slight or moderate pain), and 20 hips (22.7%) were rated poor (Harris Hip Score < 70, pain). Twenty hips in 17 patients required total hip arthroplasty. In the remaining hips, the disease apparently arrested and the contour of the femoral head was preserved. Kaplan-Meier survivorship analyses showed that the probability of conversion to total hip arthroplasty within an average of 5.5 years after free vascularized fibula grafting was 28% for Stage II hips and 38% for Stages III and IV hips. The hip survival rate for subgroups at 5.5 years was 100% for Stages IC and IIA, 94% for Stage IIB, 50% for Stage IIC, 80% for Stage IIIB, 58% for Stage IIIC, 72% for Stage IVA, and 58% for Stage IVB. Free vascularized fibula grafting is a reliable operation and can preserve hip function and diminish pain successfully.

ひ骨頭を用いた肩関節機能再建術の検討

We reconstructed large bony defects of the humerus using a fibula head graft in four cases. In one of the four patients the large bony humeral defect was caused by osteomyelitis of the humerus, while the other three were due to parosseal osteosarcomas of the humerus. Free vascularized proximal fibula grafting was performed in three cases. In the other case a proximal fibula graft using the fibula head was performed. The mean follow-up period was 4·5 years. All cases were evaluated according to their JOA score and the was functionally evaluated reconstructive procedure following surgical treatment of the musculoskeletal tumor according to Enneking.In two patients under 40 years of age both the JOA score and % Rating of Enneking's evaluation were significantly higher than in patients aged over 40 years.We concluded that a free vascularized fibula graft is a very useful procedure for treating large bony defects of the humerus.

Congenital pseudarthrosis of the ulna

Congenital ulnar pseudarthrosis is a very rare condition. Two cases are reported in addition to 36 already reported in the English literature. One of the cases reported had a “one-bone forearm” procedure done, with a satisfactory result after 6 years. The second case had a free vascularized fibula graft procedure with restoration of the bony alignment and union after 8 months of follow-up.

Free Vascularized Fibula Grafting for the Treatment of Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head

A variety of joint-preserving operations have been devised to preserve the necrotic femoral head with varying success. Since 1979, the authors studied the effectiveness of vascularized fibula grafting in the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) for joint preservation. Eighty-one of 121 hips with a minimum follow-up period ranged from three years to ten years eight months (mean, five years two months). All patients were evaluated clinically and roentgenographically on the basis of the causes and the stages of the disease. In the clinical assessment, 60 (74%) of 81 hips were rated excellent, 14 (17%) were rated good, six (7%) were rated fair, and one (2%) was rated poor. Overall satisfactory results, including excellent and good, were seen in 74 hips (91%). In the roentgenographic assessment, 57 hips (71%) had improved radiologically, 15 (18%) were unchanged, and nine (11%) were worse. Seventy-two hips (89%) showed roentgenographic improvement or unchange. Roentgenographic results had no significant correlation with the etiologic factors. Vascularized fibula grafting is one of the better alternatives for treating ONFH. It is highly expected that vascularized fibula grafting can prevent the necrotic femoral head from progressing to collapse and promote directly restored vascularization and new bone formation.

Clinical Study of Free Vascularized Fibular Graft

Clinical Study of Free Vascularized Fibular Graft

Effectiveness of the pedicled vascularized fibula graft to reconstruct tibial defects

Free vascularized fibula grafts have been used to reconstruct long tibial bone defects since Taylor's report in 1975. A pedicled vascularized fibula graft is also useful for small bone defects or pseudoarthrosis because of its excellent vascularity. The pedicled vascularized fibula transfer does not need the microvascular anastomosis and can be performed in much less time. It can be distally or proximally pedicled, depending on the site of the bone defect. A proximally or distally pedicled vascularized fibula with or without a monitoring flap was transferred in five cases of small bone defects and pseudoarthrosis of the tibia. In all 5 cases, the postoperative course was uneventful and good bony union was obtained.

Ossifying fibroma

Our experience includes seven cases of ossifying fibroma. The condition also appears in the literature under diagnostic names such as congenital fibrous dysplasia, congenital osteitis fibrosa, congenital fibrous defect of the tibia, and osteofibrous dysplasia of the tibia and fibula. The lesions develop in childhood and are located in the diaphysis of the tibia, or fibula. Of seven patients, we performed wide excision with free vascularized fibular graft in five cases, wide resection of the distal one-third of the fibula in one case, and curettage and bone graft in one case. Two of the patients who had wide excision with free vascularized fibular graft had recurrence. One case of recurrence occurred where incomplete wide excision with free-vascularized fibular graft was performed because the lesion was too close to the distal epiphysis of the tibia. One of the patients who had curettage and bone graft also had recurrence. It was concluded that children who have an ossifying fibroma requiring surgery can safely be treated with wide excision with or without free-vascularized fibular graft.

上腕骨広範囲骨欠損に対する血管柄付遊離ひ骨移植術の経験

Three cases with large bony defect of the humerus have been reconstructed with free vascularized fibula grafts. As for pathogenesis, two were pseudarthrosis of the humerus, and another was a parosteal osteosarcoma of the humerus. Free vascularized Proximal fibula grafts werte perofrmed in two cases. Another case was reconstructed by fibula without fibula head.In all cases bone unions were obtained in an average of three months after surgery. They were followed for an average of sixteen months. Two shoulder joints reconstructed with lfibula head were rec-ognized lilmitation of range of motion. There was no los of motion in the shoulder joint in another case without fibula head.Free vascularized fibula graft is a very useful method for large bony defect of the humerus.

上肢への血管柄付骨移植の経験

Five cases of free vascularized bone graft applied to upper limb reconstruction were studied. Three cases of pseudarthrosis of the humerus and a case of pyogenic arthritis of the elbow were treated with free vascularized fibula grafts. A case of giant cell tumor of the distal end of the radius was treated by wide resection and a free vascularized fibula head graft. Their results were satisfactory, and the bone unions were achieved within 3.5 months postoperatively in most of them. However, bone defects and recipient bone in the upper limb are often too small to use free vascularized fibula or iliac bone graft. In such a case, free vascularized metatarsal bone graft or free vascularized periosteal graft may be useful.

A quantitative analysis of donor site morbidity after vascularized fibula transfer.

Eleven patients with free vascularized fibula graft transplants to the upper extremity were studied for donor-side morbidity effects. Based on their surgical follow-up times, the patients were divided into either group 1 (5 +/- 2 months) or group 2 (21 +/- 8 months) to examine the effects of surgical trauma more closely. Gait evaluation was performed using two walkways containing different ground conditions. Knee and ankle-foot motion was measured using a three-dimensional electrogoniometer. Basic temporodistance factors and ground reactions were obtained from foot switches, instrumented floor mats, and a force plate. A modified Cybex II isokinetic dynamometer was used to quantitate ankle-foot strengths. Moderate knee and ankle-foot motion changes were seen while walking on the level, sideslope, and ramp in patients evaluated less than 10 months after their surgical procedure. Minimal joint motion effects were discovered in patients with follow-up times longer than 10 months. Muscle strengths were significantly impaired in both groups, especially foot inversion and eversion. An inverse relationship existed between the length of resected fibula and ankle evertor muscle strength. Donor side morbidity does not appear to be caused by surgical soft-tissue trauma exclusively. These patients need to be studied for several more years to determine the long-term functional effects of free vascularized fibular graft transfer.

Reconstruction of Large Bone Defect after Wids Segmental Resection of Long Bone Tumors Using the Free Vascularized Fibular Graft

Reconstruction of Large Bone Defect after Wids Segmental Resection of Long Bone Tumors Using the Free Vascularized Fibular Graft

Congenital pseudarthrosis of the forearm

Congenital pseudarthrosis of the forearm is a rare condition in which traditional treatment methods have proven unsatisfactory. We report a case of congenital pseudarthrosis of the radius and ulna successfully treated by resection of the distal ulna and excision of the radial pseud-arthrosis with replacement by an interpositional free vascularized fibular graft