Free vascularized fibular graft in patient with skeletal defect after neurofibroma surgical excision of forearm

The free vascularized fibular graft has been successfully applied as a reconstruction option in patient with large secondary skeletal defects result from excision of pathologic tissue after neurofibroma surgical excision. It provides a strong cortical strut for reconstruction of defects, so that the free vascularized fibular graft is ideal for ulna reconstruction. A 22-year-old male with lump in his right forearm for 3 months previously which become bigger and more painful. There was also sings of ulnar nerve disfunction. From the CPC result, we diagnosed forearm neurofibroma. We performed wide excision and reconstruction using free vascularized fibular graft. On the last follow up, the active and passive ranges of motion (ROM) of 4th and 5th metacarpal was measured with the help of a goniometer. The ulnar neurological state was tested by manual testing and graded on the Medical research council (MRC) scale. Four weeks after surgery, the operation wound at the right forearm and right lower leg was good and no infection signs. The graft viability was good with compromised vascularity. The post-operative passive and active ROM of the 4th and 5th metacarpal able did full extend. The post-operative sensoris level of the ulnar area improved from pre-operative sensoris level.Post-operative follow-up, in the early period (up to 6 weeks) we monitor the graft viability. Our case reported good result in the operation wound, the graft viability, the passive and active ROM of the 4th and 5th metacarpal and the sensoris level of the ulnar area.

Free Vascularized Fibular Graft for Femoral Head Collapse Combined with Ununited Pathologic Intertrochanteric Fracture / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Surgery for pathologic hip fracture poses significant challenges regarding the fixation of fracture and management of the original tumor lesion. An extensive destruction of the femoral neck and intertrochanteric region by benign or malignant lesions complicated by a pathological fracture generally necessitates total hip arthroplasty; however, in adolescents and young adults, preservation of the hip is preferable. We present a 14-year-old female patient, who sustained a pathological intertrochanteric fracture through a pre-existing aneurysmal bone cyst. Several operative interventions with internal fixation and bone graft were unsuccessful, and combined nonunion and progression of osteolysis around the compression hip screw eventually caused femoral head collapse, mimicking osteonecrosis. Hip preservation and resolution of the original tumor were achieved by free vascularized fibular graft.

Updated Surgical Techniques and Expanded Indications of Free Vascularized Fibular Graft

Free or pedicled vascularized fibular grafts (VFG) are useful for the reconstruction of large skeletal defects, particularly in cases of scarred or avascular beds, or in patients with combined bone and soft tissue defects. Compared to non-VFG, VEG, which contains living osteocytes and osteoblasts, maintains its own viability and serves as good osteoconductive and osteoinductive graft. Due to its many structural and biological advantages, the free fibular osteo- or osteocutaneous graft is considered the most suitable autograft for the reconstruction of long bone defects in the injured extremity. The traditional indication of VFG is the long bone and soft tissue defect, which cannot be reconstructed using a conventional operative method. Recently, the indications have been widely expanded not only for defects of midtibia, humerus, forearm, distal femur, and proximal tibia, but also for the arthrodesis of shoulder and knee joints. Because of its potential to allow further bone growth, free fibular epiphyseal transfer can be used for the hip or for distal radius defects caused by the radical resection of a tumor. The basic anatomy and surgical techniques for harvesting the VFG are well known; however, the condition of the recipient site is different in each case. Therefore, careful preoperative surgical planning should be customized in every patient. In this review, recently expanded surgical indications of VFG and surgical tips based on the author's experiences in the issues of fixation method, one or two staged reconstruction, size mismatching, overcoming the stress fracture, and arthrodesis of shoulder and knee joint using VFG are discussed with the review of literature.

Long-term Follow-up Results of the Free Vascularized Fibular Graft in Congenital Pseudarthrosis of the Tibia / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: To report the long-term follow-up results of a free vascularized fibular graft (FVFG) for the treatment of patients with congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen patients with CPT, who underwent FVFG and were followed-up for more than 4 years, were enrolled in this study. The average age at FVFG was 4.5 years (range, 1~10.6 years) with an average follow-up of 11.6 years (range, 4~26.6 years). In 11 cases, 24 additional procedures were performed due to the secondary problems, such as delayed union, nonunion, leg length discrepancy, and deformity of the tibia. The clinical and radiological data were reviewed to evaluate the outcomes of the FVFG. RESULTS: Bone union and hypertrophy of the fibular graft was observed in all cases. The average time of union in 7 cases, in whom bone union was achieved without the aid of any supplementary procedures, was 6.7 months (range, 3.5~11 months). At the last follow-up, the mean limb length discrepancy was 2.5 cm (range, 0~8 cm), and the average anterior apex and valgus angulation of the tibial shaft were 18.4degrees (range, 0~85degrees) and 9.9degrees (range, -5~34degrees), respectively. The mean ankle alignment was valgus 7.2degrees (range, -3~30degrees), and the mean range of motion of the ankle joint was dorsiflexion 17degrees and plantar flexion 30degrees. CONCLUSION: FVFG is an effective procedure in congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia which has the advantages of allowing a more aggressive resection of the abnormal bone and scar tissue and as well as resolving the bone defect after resecting the lesion. This procedure is expected to produce a better clinical result if rigid internal and external fixation are performed.

Free Vascularized Fibular Graft Using Microsurgical Technique / 대한정형외과학회잡지

It is notoriously difficult to obtain a sound bony union of large segmental bone defects secondary to trauma or following tumor resection, infected nonunion, congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia, and avascular necrosis of the femoral head with conventional methods. Recent advances in microsurgery have made it possible to provide a continuing circulation of blood in bone grafts so as to ensure viability. With the nutrient blood supply preserved, healing of the graft to the recipient bone is facilitated without the usual replacement of the graft by creeping substitution. Thus, the grafted bone is achieved more rapid stabilization of bone fragments separated by a large defect without sacrificing viability. Thirty nine cases of the free vascularized fibular graft had been performed in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kyung Hee University Hospital during the period of 3 years from October 1978 to December 1981. Of these, ll cases were congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia, 4 cases were tuberculous spondylitis, 4 cases were infected nonunion, 7 cases were large segmental bone defects secondary to trauma, 9 cases were avascular necrosis of the femoral head and the other was one case. The results were obtained as follows: 1. The advantages of free vascularized living fibular graft are one stage procedure, resistance of torsion and angular stress, union with rapid hypertrophy of the graft, a shorter immobilization period and more rapid incorporation of the graft into the recipient area. 2. Free vascularized fibular graft can be widely used in the field of Orthopedic surgery. 3. The fibula is the bone best suited for reconstruction of a defect in a long bone. 4. In children, distal tibiofibular synostosis must be performed. 5. For prevention of clawing toe, the muscles around the bone is meticulously dissected, 6. Evaluation by selective arteriography and isotopic scanning both before and after operation may be used to assess the viability of the fibula graft.

Congenital Pseudarthrosisof the Tibia: Treated with Free Vascularized Fibular Graft / 대한정형외과학회잡지

It is notoriously difficult to obtain a sound bony union of congenital paeudarthrosis of tbe tibia with conventional methods. This paper is the results of using the free vascularized fibular graft for congenital pseudarthorsis of the tibia in 7 patients since 1978 in this hospital, which is the first attempt in Korea. During the follow-up periods from 9 months to 32 months, 5/7 patients(71%) had good or excellent bony union, 2 patients had bone resorption at tbe distal site of grafted bone and required a second supplementary cancellous bone graft with electrode insertion. So it is thought that the free vascularized fibular graft is one of good methods of treatment for congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia.