Objective To evaluate the effect of the treatment of necrosis of femoral head with the free vascularized fibula grafting. Methods From October 2000 to February 2002, 31 hips in 26 patients with ischemic necrosis of the femoral head were treated with free vascularized fibula graft. Among these patients, 21 patients (25 hips) were followed up for 6-18 months(12 months on average). According to Steinberg stage:Ⅱ period, 5 hips;Ⅲ period,8 hips; Ⅳ period, 12 hips.Results Among 25hips, their Harris Hip Score at all satges were improved during the follow-up. The symptom of pain diminished or disappeared after operation. The patient’s ability to work and live was notlimited or only slightly limited during the follow-up. Radiographic evaluation showed that most femoral heads improved (18 hips) or unchanged (6 hips) and only oneworsened.Conclusion The free vascularized fibular grafting is a valuable method for femoral head necrosis. With this method, we can prevent or delay the process of the disease.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of a novel lateral tibial plateau annular plate (hereinafter referred to as the novel plate) fixation via fibular neck osteotomy approach for posterolateral tibial plateau fractures. Methods Between January 2015 and December 2018, 22 patients with posterolateral tibial plateau fractures were treated. There were 10 males and 12 females with an average age of 39.0 years (range, 25-56 years). Seven fractures were caused by falls, 10 by traffic accidents, and 5 by falling from height. The time from injury to hospitalization ranged from 3 to 12 days, with an average of 7.0 days. All patients were closed fractures. According to Schatzker classification, the fractures were classified as type Ⅱ in 8 cases, type Ⅲ in 9 cases, type Ⅴ in 1 case, and type Ⅵ in 4 cases. The fractures were fixed with the novel plates after reduction via fibular neck osteotomy approach. The fracture reduction and healing were observed by X-ray film after operation. The range of motion of the knee joint was recorded and the function was evaluated by modified American Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score. Results All operations were completed successfully. The operation time was 60-95 minutes (mean, 77.6 minutes). The intraoperative blood loss was 100-520 mL (mean, 214.5 mL). There was 1 case of common peroneal nerve injury during operation and 2 cases of fat liquefaction of incision after operation. All patients were followed up 13-32 months (mean, 19.4 months). Postoperative X-ray films showed that the fracture reduction was good in 17 cases and moderate in 5 cases, and all fractures healed with a healing time of 10-18 weeks (mean, 13.0 weeks). At last follow-up, the range of motion of the knee joint ranged from 100° to 145° in flexion (mean, 125.5°) and from 0° to 4° in extension (mean, 1.2°). The modified HSS score was 82-95 (mean, 86.3). There was no complications such as plate deformation, screw fracture, fracture reduction loss, skin necrosis, and so on. Conclusion For posterolateral tibial plateau fractures, the novel plate fixation via fibular neck osteotomy approach has the advantages of clear intraoperative field, firm fracture fixation, and less postoperative complications, which is beneficial to the recovery of knee joint function.
There were several methods, such as free single and folded fibulae autograft, composed tissue autograft, however, it is still very difficult to repair long segment bone defect. In December 1995, we used free juxtaposed bilateral fibulae autograft to repair an 8 cm of femoral bone defect in a 4 years old child in success. The key procedure is to strip a portion of the neighboring periosteal sleeve of juxtaposed fibulae to make bare of the opposite sides of the bone shafts, suture the opposite periosteal sleeves, keep the nutrient arteries, and reconstruct the blood circulation of both fibular by anastomosis of the distal ends of one fibular artery and vein to the proximal ends of the other fibular artery and vein, and anastomosis of the proximal ends of the fibular artery and vein to lateral circumflex artery and vein. After 22 months follow up, the two shafts of juxtaposed fibulae fused into one new bone shaft. The diameter of the new bone shaft was nearly the same as the diameter of the femur. There was only one medullary cavity, and it connected to the medullary cavity of femur. This method also cold be used to repair other long segment bone defect.
Objective To evaluate the clinical effects of fibula flap grafts on the repair of the extremities with traumatic compound tissue defects. Methods In 12 cases, the fibula flap grafts were employed to restore the extremities with traumatic compound tissue defects. Of the 12 patients, 9 were males, 3 were females; their ages ranged from 12 to 45. There were 2 cases of tibia defect combined with fibula fracture, 2 cases of tibia defect, 2 cases of radius defect, 3 cases of ulna defect, 1 case of calcaneus defect,and 2 cases of firstmetatarsus defect. The bone defect length ranged from 4.2 to 10.6 cm, 7.8 cm in average.The skin defect area ranged from 10.0 cm×4.5 cm to 27.0 cm×15.0 cm. The free transplantation of fibular flaps were used in 9 cases, the lapse operation were used in 2 cases, retrograde shift were used in 1 case. Results Postoperational vein crisis and commonperoneal nerve traction injury were observed in category mentioned above respectively. All the 12 fibula flaps survived after proper treatments such as removalof great saphenous vein. Follow-ups were done for 6 to 24 months. Both the transferred fibula and the recipient broken end reflected bones were healed. Four patients underwent the second-phase reconstruction operation oftendon moving power. One wrist and 1 ankle underwent arthrodesis in 3 to 6 months.All the effects were satisfactory. Conclusion The fibula flap grafts provide arelatively better alternative to repair the extremities with long bone compoundtissue defects. In addition, the sensory function reconstruction of fibula flaps should be given full attention.
To provide anatomical evidences for the blood supply compound flap based on fibular head to rebuild internal malleolus. Methods The morphology of vessels and bones in donor site and in recipient site was observed. The materials for the study were l isted as follows: ① Forty desiccative adult tibias (20 left and 20 right respectively) were used to measure the basilar width, middle thickness, anterior length, posterior length and introversion angle of internal malleolus; ② Forty desiccative adult fibulas (20 left and 20 right respectively) were used to measure the middle width and thickness, as well as the extraversion angle of articular surface of fibular head; ③ Thirty adult lower l imb specimens which perfused with red rubber were used to observe the blood supply relationships between the anterior tibial recurrent vessels and fibular head, and internal anterior malleolar vessels inside recipient site. Results The internal malleolus had a basilar width of (2.6 ± 0.2) cm, a middle thickness of (1.3 ± 0.2) cm, an anterior length of (1.4 ± 1.9) cm and a posterior length of (0.6 ± 0.1) cm. Its articular facet was half-moon. Its introversion angle was (11.89 ± 3.60)°. The fibular head had a middle thickness of (1.8 ± 0.6) cm, a middle width of (2.7 ± 0.4) cm. Its articular facet was toroid, superficial and cavate in shape, and exposed inwardsly and upwardsly, and had a extraversion angel of (39.2 ± 1.3)°. The anterior tibial recurrent artery directly began from anterior tibial artery, accounting for 93.3%. Its initiation point was (4.5 ± 0.7) cm inferior to apex of fibular head. Its main trunk ran through the deep surface of anterior tibial muscle, and ran forwards, outwards and upwards with sticking to the lateral surface of proximal tibia. Its main trunk had a length of (0.5 ±0.2) cm and a outer diameter of (2.0 ± 0.4) mm. Its accompanying veins, which had outer diameters of (2.1 ± 0.5) mm and (2.6 ± 0.4) mm, entry into anterior tibial vein. It constantly gave 1-2 fibular head branches which had a outer diameter of (1.7 ± 1.3) mm at (1.0 ± 0.4) cm from the initiation point. The internal anterior malleolar artery which began from anterior tibial artery or dorsal pedal artery had a outer diameter of (1.6 ± 0.4) mm. Its accompanying veins had outer diameters of (1.3 ± 0.5) mm and (1.1 ± 0.4) mm. Conclusion The blood supply compound flap based on fibular head had a possibil ity to rebuild internal malleolus. Its articular facet was characterized as the important anatomical basis to rebuild internal malleolus.
Objective To analyze the effectiveness of free vascularized fibula grafts (FVFG) for extensive bone defects after resection of lower limb malignant bone tumors. Methods Between November 2015 and July 2018, 15 cases of lower limb malignant bone tumors were treated. There were 12 males and 3 females with an average age of 12.3 years (range, 9-21 years). There were 11 cases of osteosarcoma and 4 cases of Ewing’s sarcoma. The tumor located at middle femur in 8 cases, lower femur in 4 cases, and middle tibia in 3 cases. The disease duration was 2-6 months (mean, 3.2 months). The tumor was completely removed, and the length of the bone defect was 8-23 cm (mean, 17.7 cm). The bone defect was repaired by FVFG, and combined inactivated tumor bone was used in 8 cases of femoral bone defect. Results The average operation time was 280 minutes (range, 180-390 minutes). The average blood loss was 310 mL (range, 200-480 mL). All incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 2-24 months with an average of 14.5 months. Bone healing achieved in all patients at 9-18 months (mean, 12.3 months) after operation except 1 patient which was followed up only 2 months. The fibula grafts had active metabolism and the average bone metabolism score was 184 (range, 111-257) in effected side and 193 (range, 127-259) in contralateral side. There was no difference between bilateral sides. The average Enneking score was 24.6 (range, 20-30) at last follow-up. No ankle instability or paralysis of common peroneal nerve occurred. Conclusion FVFG appeared very efficient in repair of extensive bone defect after resection of lower limb malignant bone tumor.
Objective To compare the long-term results of vascularised fibulargraft and simple autologous fibular graft for reconstruction of wrist after distal bone tumor resection.Methods From January 1979 to September2002, 15 patients with wrist defects due to distal bone tumor resection were treated with vascularised fibular graft or simple autologous fibular graft and followed up 1 year. The results were graded with Enneking’s system and evaluated radiographicallyaccording to the “International Symposium on Limb Salvage”. The grade system included limb function, radiological examination and the function of ankle. Results The limb function of 8 patients with vascularised fibular graft restored to 80% of normal function and the bone union was achieved within 6 months. The limbfunction of 6 patients with simple autologous fibular graft restored to 67% of normal function. The bony union was achieved within 6 months in 4 cases with thebone graft less than 5 cm and in the 13th and 16th months in 2 cases with the bone graft more than 12 cm. Conclusion It is suitable to use the headof fibular boneas a substitute for the distal radius. The healing of vascularised fibular graft is very quick and haven’t the bone resorption. So in the procedure for reconstruction and limb salvage after bone tumor resection of distal radius, the free vascularised fibular graft with fibular head is an ideal substitute.
From 1979, a total of 5 cases of giant cell tumor of the lower end of radius were treated by segmental resection, and vascularized fibular head transplantation, and reconstruction of the inferior radio-ulnar joint. The bone healed within 2-3 months. The patients were followed for 5-10 years. There was no recurrence, nor distant metastasis, and the functional recovery of extremities was satisfactory.The clinical materials, the operative techniques and the assessment of the long-term results were introduced.