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 investigate the way to reconstruct bone scaffold afterremoval of giant benign bone tumor in extremities of children. Methods From June 1995 to October 2000, 6 cases of benign bone tumor were treated, aged 614 years. Of 6 cases, there were 4 cases of fibrous hyperplasia of bone, 1 case of aneurysmal bone cyst and 1 case of bone cyst; these tumors were located in humerus (2 cases), in radius (1 case), in femur (2 cases) and in tibia(1 case), respectively. All patients were given excision of subperiosteal affected bone fragment, autograft of subperiosteal free fibula(4-14 cm in length) and continuous suture of in situ periosteum; only in 2 cases, humerus was fixed with single Kirschner wire and external fixation of plaster. Results After followed up 18-78 months, all patients achieved bony union without tumor relapse. Fibula defect was repaired , and the function of ankle joint returned normal. ConclusionAutograft of subperiosteal free fibula is an optimal method to reconstruct bone scaffold after excision of giant benign bone tumor in extremities of children.
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.
In the study of repair of massive bone defect with free vascularized fibula graft, 13 cases were reported, in which traumatic defect in 7 cases, segmental resection of bone from tumors in 5 cases and osteomylitis in 1 cases. They all were treated successfully with vascularized fibular graft. After a follow-up of 6 months to 7 year, bone healing was observed with satisfactory and rehabilitation of functions. In one case, fatigued fracture occured twice due to early walking. It was concluded that free vascularized fibular graft was very helpful in the repair of massive bone defect, but prolonged external fixation after operation might be important to prevent fractur of grafted bone.
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 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.
Objective To investigate the clinical effects of repairing massive bone defects in limbs by using vascularized free fibular autograft compoundingmassive bone allografts. Methods From January 2001 to December 2003, large bone defects in 19 patients (11 men and 8 women, aging from 6 to 35 years) were repaired by vascularized free fibular transplant with a monitoringflap compounding massive deep frozen bone allografts. The length of bone defects were 12 to 25 cm (16.6 cm on average), of vascularized free fibular 15 to 28 cm (18.3 cm on average), and of massive bone allografts 11 to 24 cm (16.1 cm on average). Thelocation of massive bone defects were humerus in 1 case, femur in 9 cases and tibia in 9 cases. Results After followup of 5 to 36 onths (18.2 months on average), wounds of donor and recipient sites were healed at Ⅰstage, monitoringflaps were alive, no obvious eject reaction of massive bone allografts was observed and no complications occurred in donor limbs. The radiographic evidence showed union in 15 patients 3 months and 3 patients 8 months after operation. One case of malignant synovioma of left lower femur recurred and amputation was performed 2.5 months after surgery. Internal fixation was removed in 5 patients, and complete bone unions werefound 1 year postoperatively. No massive bone allografts was absorbed or collapsed. Conclusion With strict indication, vascularized free fibular autograft compounding massive bone allografts, as an excellent method of repairing massive bone defects in limbs, can not only accelerate bone union but also activate and changer the final results of massive bone allografts from failure.
Objective To compare the effectiveness between the myo-periosteal fibular bone bridging and traditional transtibial amputation in the treatment of amputation below knee so as to provide theoretical basis for choosing transtibial amputation in clinical application. Methods Between November 2001 and November 2011, 38 patients with mangled lower extremity were treated by transtibial amputation. Among 38 patients, 17 (group A) underwent myo-periosteal fibular bone bridging (the operation techniques of an attached peroneal muscle myo-periosteal fibular strut bridge between the end of the tibia and fibula below knee amputation), and other 21 (group B) underwent traditional transtibial amputation. There was no significant difference in age, gender, injury cause, amputation cause, side, and disease duration between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The quality of life (QOL) was analyzed using 36-item short form health survey (SF-36), and prosthesis satisfaction by Trinity amputation and prosthesis experience scale (TAPES). Results Healing of incision by first intention was obtained in all patients of 2 groups; no necrosis, infection, or poor stumps was observed. The mean follow-up time was 22 months (range, 14-30 months) in group A, and 26 months (range, 15-30 months) in group B. The patients achieved good healing of bone bridging, no bone nonunion occurred. The healing time was (5.1 ± 1.1) months in group A and (3.3 ± 0.6) months in group B, showing significant difference between 2 groups (t=9.82, P=0.00). Spur occurred at the distal fibula in an 11-year-old boy of group B after 2 years of operation, which blocked use of prosthesis; prosthesis was well used in the other patients. After 12 months of operation, SF-36 score was 55.84 ± 14.01 in group A and 49.93 ± 12.78 in group B, showing significant difference (P lt; 0. 05); the physical functioning, social functioning, role-physical, vitality, body pain, general health scores in group A were significantly higher than those in group B (P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference was found in role-emotional and mental health scores between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). TAPES score was 12.12 ± 2.23 in group A and 10.10 ± 2.00 in group B, showing significant difference (t=2.891, P=0.006). Conclusion It is a very effective method to treat traumatic amputation using an attached myo-periosteal fibular bone bridging between the end of the tibia and fibula below knee, which can afford better quality of life and prosthesis satisfaction.
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.
Objective To study the reparative and reconstructive for proximal humerus defect due to the excision of bone tumor with noninternal fixation non-vascularised fibular autografts. Methods From June 1991 toDecember 2003, 26 non-vascularised fibular grafts were used as substitutes for repair and reconstruction after resection for bone tumors on proximal humerus. Fifteen cases were given curettage and fibular supporting internal fixation, the other 11 cases were given tumor resection and joint reconstruction with proximal fibular graft. The age ranged from 6 to 41 years. Out of 26 patients, 5 had giant cell tumor, 9 had bone cysts, 8 had fibrous dysplasia and 4 had enchondroma. Results Twenty-six patients were followed up from 1 to 12 years (3.4 years on average). Local recurrence was found in 2 cases, and 1 of them died of lung metastasis. Both outlook and function of the reconstructed joints have good results in 15 proximal humeral joint surface reserved cases. Of them, 3 children gained normal shoulder function 3 weeks after operation. Part function were obtained in the other 11 fibular grafts substituted proximal humeral defect. Conclusion Non-vascularised fibular grafts is an appropriate treatment option for proximal humerus bone defect due to excision of bone tumor.