The combinative biological reconstruction of bony defect following limb bone tumor resections / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze the image and histological results of the combined use of allograft/extracorporeally frozen tumor-bearing bone and vascularized fibular flap for the reconstruction of bony defects following tumor resection,guiding clinical practice.Methods From March 2007 to June 2013,we enrolled 63 patients who had combinative biological reconstruction after bone tumor resection (11 in humerus,22 in femur,21 in tibia,4 in calcaneus).There were 36 male and 27 female in this series.The average age at time of operation was 20 years,ranging from 9 to 48 years.The follow-up ranged from 16 to 102 months with average of 48 months.We investigated the X-ray and CT images for all patients and histological findings of two patients.Patients were assessed functionally with the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society 93 score.Results Three patients with local soft tissue recurrence and one patient with infection underwent amputation.The survival of construct was 93.6％.Bone union achieved in all cases with the average MSTS score of 92.8％.Bone union ranged from 11 to 28 months in allograft group and 9 to 14 months in devitalized tumor bearing bone group.Significant difference of bone union time was found between two groups (Z=-3.638,P=0.000).Viability of the fibular grafts was verified in 58 of 63 patients (92％).Three types of images were observed in complex.Osteopenia and spongy change in fibula were found in 51 patients (81％) with stable fixation of the complex.Five complexes with failed blood supply of fibula and stable fixation revealed no density change of fibula,small amount of callous formation and relative delayed union.In seven complexes (11％) with unstable complex due to patients' incompliance,fibula reacted with dense hypertrophy and microfracture.Fusion of grafts with amount of callus was obviously observed.Union at allograft-host bone junctions occurred by residual host bone-derived external callus and fibular-derived internal callus that bridged the junction and filled the gap between abutting cortices.Callus from fibular graft was mature than that from periosteum of residual host bone.Internal repair was observed at the internal surface of the allografts.Fibula showed significant spongy changes.Conclusion Recycled tumor-bearing bone in combined with fibular flap is a reliable reconstruction as an alternative to traditional Capanna technique.The survival of the fibula is a cornerstone in success of complex reconstruction.Sponginess of fibula and internal repair of allograft compromise the intensity of complex,necessitating the strong instrumentation during reconstruction.