Several Considerations in Free Vascularized Fibular Head Grafting for Giant Cell Tumor of Distal Radius

Treatment of giant cell tumor of distal radius can be treated in several ways according to the aggressiveness of the tumor. The management of giant cell tumor involving subchondral bone of the distal radius has always been a difficult problem and whether preserving joint function should be considered. In these circumstances, wrist arthroplasty using free vascularized fibular head grafting can be considered as one of available options to preserve the wrist joint motion. However, the reports for final outcomes of wrist arthroplasty using vascularized fibular head have been variable and there have been several debates about its techniques. The purpose of this article is to discuss the several considerations in wrist arthroplasty using free vascularized fubular head graft for giant cell tumors of the distal radius.

Reconstruction of Wrist Joint Using Vascularized Free Fibular Head Graft After the Wide Tumor Excision of Distal Radius

Vascularized free fibula head transfer is an established method for reconstruction of long bone defects of the upper limb involving the distal radius or the proximal humerus. For the wrist following tumor resection, in cases of resection of the radial articular surface, three reconstructive options are possible: 1. fibular head transfer to replace the radial joint surface, 2. fixation of the fibula to the scaphoid and lunate, 3. complete wrist fusion. The decision on the type of the operation depends on the amount of the resection and the remained normal anatomical structures, and also the necessity of function of the wrist in the future. The authors believe that the vascularized free fibula head graft is a safe and reliable method for reconstructing the upper limb, especially for patients with a defect of the distal radius, and report the operative methods, donor vascular consideration, complications, and functional result after this operation.