Study of Diaphyseal Dominant and Secondary Nutrient Foramina in Fibula: its Clinical Relevance in Vascular Bone Graft Surgery.

ABSTRACT

Background: The external opening of the nutrient canal, usually referred to as the nutrient foramen has a particular position in each bone. An understanding of the position and number of the nutrient foramina in fibula is important, as this is one of the most common bones used in bone grafts, vascularized bone microsurgery and mandibular reconstruction. Nowadays fibula flap is the most accepted flaps used in the mandibular reconstruction especially in the malignancy of oral and oropharyngeal regions. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted in 160 dry human fibula obtained from department of Anatomy, N.S.C.B. Medical college Jabalpur {M.P.}. We have measured the different parameters in each bone according to standard method. Result: In our study we found that 95% bones possess single dominant nutrient foramina. According to Foraminal Index (FI), the position of most of foramina [97%] was fall in Type 2 (middle third of the fibula). The mean foraminal index (FI) was 39.66±5.29. The average total length (TL) of fibula was 35.80±2.53. Conclusion: To conclude that our study provides detailed data about the position and number of nutrient foramina of fibula that is considered as a determining factor for the success of new techniques for bone transplant and resection in orthopaedics.