ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of vascularized fibular graft on large defects of long bones and the monitoring method for the vascular status of the grafted fibula.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From March 1988 to February 1998, 30 patients with long bone defects over 6 cm in length received vascularized fibular graft including a monitoring island flap in our department to monitor the blood circulation of the fibulae.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Monitoring island abnormalities were indicated in 6 flaps, which accurately gave the alarm of the circulation crisis of the fibular graft. Surgical exploration was performed timely and the blood supply was recovered instantaneously. All the bone defects were healed at 6 months postoperatively. After 4 years of follow-up, all the grafted fibulae were thickened and were just like tibiae.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>A monitoring island flap is a satisfactory method for repairing large defects of the long bones and a reliable method for assessing the vascular status of the grafted fibulae.</p>
