Comparison outcomes of nonvascularized and vascularized fibular graft for distal radius bone and joint defect reconstruction: a retrospective study / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the method and outcomes of radiocarpal joint reconstruction via nonvascularized and vascularized fibular bone graft after distal radius bone and joint defect.Methods Between November,1966 and March,2009,27 cases with distal radius bone and joint defect due to tumor en bolc excision (24 cases) or AO C3 type fractures (3 cases) were treated with nonvascularized or vascularized fibular bone graft.There were 9 males and 18 females.The mean age of these patients at the time of surgery was 27 years (rage from 16 to 67 years).There were 14 left sides and 12 right sides and 1 bilateral side.Nine cases with vascularized and 18 cases with nonvascularized fibular bone graft for radiocarpal joint reconstruction.The bone fixed with plate or/and k-wire.DASH scores,G/W wrist scores,PRWE scores were applied for writ function evaluation and the grasp power recovery rate and bone healing time was also compared during postoperative follow up.Results All 27 patients were followed with an average follow-up time being 9 years (range from 3.5 years to 44.0 years).The average length of fibular bone harvested was 10 cm for vascularized bone graft and 9 cm for nonvascularized.The all fibular bone was healed and the average healing time was 4.7 months (range from 3-8 months).No tumor recurrence or distance metastasis occurred during the follow-up.The average DASH scores was 7.97 (2.5-17.0),G/W scores of 24 patients ranged from 1 to 2,the wrist function result was excellent,account for 88.9％,and 3 cases from 3 to 7,function was good,account for 11.1％; the average grasp power recovery rat was 85.81％ (75％-104％); the average PRWE scores were 25.3(10.5-38.0).Comparison outcomes between the nonvascularized and vascularized fibular bone graft for radiocarpal wrist joint reconstruction,there was no significant statistics difference for bone healing time,DASH,G/W,PRWE scores and grasp power recovery rate (P ＞ 0.05).There were no other complications occurred except 3 patients had mild leg pain after long distance walking and 1 case fracture following patient's accident postoperative 11 years,and healed through conservative treatment.Conclusion The nonvascularized or vascularized fibular bone graft is an excellent choice and has less complication with maximal wrist function recovery for radiocarpal joint reconstruction following distal radius bone and joint defect due to all kinds of reasons,such as tumor en bloc excision,distal radius AOC3 type comminuted fracture.The vascularized fibular graft is recommended for larger than 12 cm bone graft.