跗外侧动脉蒂小腿前外侧皮瓣的解剖基础与临床应用

目的 探讨跗外侧动脉蒂小腿前外侧皮瓣的解剖特点,以及修复足前部缺损的可行性.方法取20条经动脉灌注红色乳胶的成人下肢尸体标本,解剖观察其跗外侧动脉、腓动脉外踝上穿支、腓浅动脉等血管的分支、走行和吻合.据此设计跗外侧动脉蒂小腿前外侧皮瓣,对8例足前部组织缺损患者进行带蒂皮瓣转移修复.足背皮肤软组织缺损5例,足底皮肤软组织缺损3例.足前部缺损范围5 cm×4 cm ～ 9 cm×5 cm.供区游离植皮或直接缝合.跗外侧动脉、腓动脉穿支、胫前动脉穿支、腓浅动脉相互吻合,在足外侧、外踝前、小腿前外侧形成一条纵行血管轴.皮瓣范围6 cm×4 cm ～ 10 cm×6 cm.结果 术后8块皮瓣全部成活.所有患者均获随访,随访6～12个月,平均8个月,皮瓣色泽、质地、外形良好,皮瓣无溃疡发生.患者能自由行走.结论 以跗外侧动脉为蒂切取小腿前外侧皮瓣,皮瓣血运可靠,血管蒂长,可修复足前部任何区域,供区损伤小.     

小腿前外侧皮瓣及腓浅神经营养血管为蒂岛状皮瓣的临床应用

目的 探讨小腿前外侧皮瓣与腓浅神经营养血管岛状皮瓣的解剖关系及临床应用价值.方法 对手部软组织缺损采用吻合腓浅血管的小腿前外侧皮瓣移植修复7例;对足踝部软组织缺损采用带腓浅神经营养血管为蒂逆行岛状皮瓣修复7例;对小腿中上段骨外露创面采用以腓浅动脉为蒂顺行岛状皮瓣修复4例、中下段骨外露创面采用以上方腓浅动脉及下方腓浅神经营养血管共同为蒂构成联合皮瓣推移修复13例.结果 吻合腓浅血管的小腿前外侧皮瓣7例、以腓浅动脉为蒂顺行岛状皮瓣4例、以上方腓浅动脉及下方腓浅神经营养血管共同为蒂的联合皮瓣13例,上述皮瓣均完全成活;以腓浅神经营养血管为蒂逆行岛状皮瓣7例,6例皮瓣完全成活,1例皮瓣术后静脉回流障碍皮瓣远端部分坏死经扩创后植皮愈合.结论 小腿前外侧皮瓣游离皮瓣与腓浅神经营养血管为蒂的逆行岛状皮瓣在解剖上存在代偿关系,利用二皮瓣的血管解剖联系可扩大二皮瓣的切取面积及应用范围.     

小腿前外侧皮瓣及腓浅神经营养血管为蒂岛状皮瓣的临床应用

目的 探讨小腿前外侧皮瓣与腓浅神经营养血管岛状皮瓣的解剖关系及临床应用价值.方法 对手部软组织缺损采用吻合腓浅血管的小腿前外侧皮瓣移植修复7例;对足踝部软组织缺损采用带腓浅神经营养血管为蒂逆行岛状皮瓣修复7例;对小腿中上段骨外露创面采用以腓浅动脉为蒂顺行岛状皮瓣修复4例、中下段骨外露创面采用以上方腓浅动脉及下方腓浅神经营养血管共同为蒂构成联合皮瓣推移修复13例.结果 吻合腓浅血管的小腿前外侧皮瓣7例、以腓浅动脉为蒂顺行岛状皮瓣4例、以上方腓浅动脉及下方腓浅神经营养血管共同为蒂的联合皮瓣13例,上述皮瓣均完全成活;以腓浅神经营养血管为蒂逆行岛状皮瓣7例,6例皮瓣完全成活,1例皮瓣术后静脉回流障碍皮瓣远端部分坏死经扩创后植皮愈合.结论 小腿前外侧皮瓣游离皮瓣与腓浅神经营养血管为蒂的逆行岛状皮瓣在解剖上存在代偿关系,利用二皮瓣的血管解剖联系可扩大二皮瓣的切取面积及应用范围.     

小腿前外侧皮瓣及腓浅神经营养血管为蒂岛状皮瓣的临床应用

目的 探讨小腿前外侧皮瓣与腓浅神经营养血管岛状皮瓣的解剖关系及临床应用价值.方法 对手部软组织缺损采用吻合腓浅血管的小腿前外侧皮瓣移植修复7例;对足踝部软组织缺损采用带腓浅神经营养血管为蒂逆行岛状皮瓣修复7例;对小腿中上段骨外露创面采用以腓浅动脉为蒂顺行岛状皮瓣修复4例、中下段骨外露创面采用以上方腓浅动脉及下方腓浅神经营养血管共同为蒂构成联合皮瓣推移修复13例.结果 吻合腓浅血管的小腿前外侧皮瓣7例、以腓浅动脉为蒂顺行岛状皮瓣4例、以上方腓浅动脉及下方腓浅神经营养血管共同为蒂的联合皮瓣13例,上述皮瓣均完全成活;以腓浅神经营养血管为蒂逆行岛状皮瓣7例,6例皮瓣完全成活,1例皮瓣术后静脉回流障碍皮瓣远端部分坏死经扩创后植皮愈合.结论 小腿前外侧皮瓣游离皮瓣与腓浅神经营养血管为蒂的逆行岛状皮瓣在解剖上存在代偿关系,利用二皮瓣的血管解剖联系可扩大二皮瓣的切取面积及应用范围.     

小腿前外侧皮瓣及腓浅神经营养血管为蒂岛状皮瓣的临床应用

目的 探讨小腿前外侧皮瓣与腓浅神经营养血管岛状皮瓣的解剖关系及临床应用价值.方法 对手部软组织缺损采用吻合腓浅血管的小腿前外侧皮瓣移植修复7例;对足踝部软组织缺损采用带腓浅神经营养血管为蒂逆行岛状皮瓣修复7例;对小腿中上段骨外露创面采用以腓浅动脉为蒂顺行岛状皮瓣修复4例、中下段骨外露创面采用以上方腓浅动脉及下方腓浅神经营养血管共同为蒂构成联合皮瓣推移修复13例.结果 吻合腓浅血管的小腿前外侧皮瓣7例、以腓浅动脉为蒂顺行岛状皮瓣4例、以上方腓浅动脉及下方腓浅神经营养血管共同为蒂的联合皮瓣13例,上述皮瓣均完全成活;以腓浅神经营养血管为蒂逆行岛状皮瓣7例,6例皮瓣完全成活,1例皮瓣术后静脉回流障碍皮瓣远端部分坏死经扩创后植皮愈合.结论 小腿前外侧皮瓣游离皮瓣与腓浅神经营养血管为蒂的逆行岛状皮瓣在解剖上存在代偿关系,利用二皮瓣的血管解剖联系可扩大二皮瓣的切取面积及应用范围.     

小腿前外侧皮瓣及腓浅神经营养血管为蒂岛状皮瓣的临床应用

目的 探讨小腿前外侧皮瓣与腓浅神经营养血管岛状皮瓣的解剖关系及临床应用价值.方法 对手部软组织缺损采用吻合腓浅血管的小腿前外侧皮瓣移植修复7例;对足踝部软组织缺损采用带腓浅神经营养血管为蒂逆行岛状皮瓣修复7例;对小腿中上段骨外露创面采用以腓浅动脉为蒂顺行岛状皮瓣修复4例、中下段骨外露创面采用以上方腓浅动脉及下方腓浅神经营养血管共同为蒂构成联合皮瓣推移修复13例.结果 吻合腓浅血管的小腿前外侧皮瓣7例、以腓浅动脉为蒂顺行岛状皮瓣4例、以上方腓浅动脉及下方腓浅神经营养血管共同为蒂的联合皮瓣13例,上述皮瓣均完全成活;以腓浅神经营养血管为蒂逆行岛状皮瓣7例,6例皮瓣完全成活,1例皮瓣术后静脉回流障碍皮瓣远端部分坏死经扩创后植皮愈合.结论 小腿前外侧皮瓣游离皮瓣与腓浅神经营养血管为蒂的逆行岛状皮瓣在解剖上存在代偿关系,利用二皮瓣的血管解剖联系可扩大二皮瓣的切取面积及应用范围.     

小腿前外侧皮瓣及腓浅神经营养血管为蒂岛状皮瓣的临床应用

目的 探讨小腿前外侧皮瓣与腓浅神经营养血管岛状皮瓣的解剖关系及临床应用价值.方法 对手部软组织缺损采用吻合腓浅血管的小腿前外侧皮瓣移植修复7例;对足踝部软组织缺损采用带腓浅神经营养血管为蒂逆行岛状皮瓣修复7例;对小腿中上段骨外露创面采用以腓浅动脉为蒂顺行岛状皮瓣修复4例、中下段骨外露创面采用以上方腓浅动脉及下方腓浅神经营养血管共同为蒂构成联合皮瓣推移修复13例.结果 吻合腓浅血管的小腿前外侧皮瓣7例、以腓浅动脉为蒂顺行岛状皮瓣4例、以上方腓浅动脉及下方腓浅神经营养血管共同为蒂的联合皮瓣13例,上述皮瓣均完全成活;以腓浅神经营养血管为蒂逆行岛状皮瓣7例,6例皮瓣完全成活,1例皮瓣术后静脉回流障碍皮瓣远端部分坏死经扩创后植皮愈合.结论 小腿前外侧皮瓣游离皮瓣与腓浅神经营养血管为蒂的逆行岛状皮瓣在解剖上存在代偿关系,利用二皮瓣的血管解剖联系可扩大二皮瓣的切取面积及应用范围.     

小腿前外侧皮瓣及腓浅神经营养血管为蒂岛状皮瓣的临床应用

目的 探讨小腿前外侧皮瓣与腓浅神经营养血管岛状皮瓣的解剖关系及临床应用价值.方法 对手部软组织缺损采用吻合腓浅血管的小腿前外侧皮瓣移植修复7例;对足踝部软组织缺损采用带腓浅神经营养血管为蒂逆行岛状皮瓣修复7例;对小腿中上段骨外露创面采用以腓浅动脉为蒂顺行岛状皮瓣修复4例、中下段骨外露创面采用以上方腓浅动脉及下方腓浅神经营养血管共同为蒂构成联合皮瓣推移修复13例.结果 吻合腓浅血管的小腿前外侧皮瓣7例、以腓浅动脉为蒂顺行岛状皮瓣4例、以上方腓浅动脉及下方腓浅神经营养血管共同为蒂的联合皮瓣13例,上述皮瓣均完全成活;以腓浅神经营养血管为蒂逆行岛状皮瓣7例,6例皮瓣完全成活,1例皮瓣术后静脉回流障碍皮瓣远端部分坏死经扩创后植皮愈合.结论 小腿前外侧皮瓣游离皮瓣与腓浅神经营养血管为蒂的逆行岛状皮瓣在解剖上存在代偿关系,利用二皮瓣的血管解剖联系可扩大二皮瓣的切取面积及应用范围.     

小腿前外侧皮瓣及腓浅神经营养血管为蒂岛状皮瓣的临床应用

目的 探讨小腿前外侧皮瓣与腓浅神经营养血管岛状皮瓣的解剖关系及临床应用价值.方法 对手部软组织缺损采用吻合腓浅血管的小腿前外侧皮瓣移植修复7例;对足踝部软组织缺损采用带腓浅神经营养血管为蒂逆行岛状皮瓣修复7例;对小腿中上段骨外露创面采用以腓浅动脉为蒂顺行岛状皮瓣修复4例、中下段骨外露创面采用以上方腓浅动脉及下方腓浅神经营养血管共同为蒂构成联合皮瓣推移修复13例.结果 吻合腓浅血管的小腿前外侧皮瓣7例、以腓浅动脉为蒂顺行岛状皮瓣4例、以上方腓浅动脉及下方腓浅神经营养血管共同为蒂的联合皮瓣13例,上述皮瓣均完全成活;以腓浅神经营养血管为蒂逆行岛状皮瓣7例,6例皮瓣完全成活,1例皮瓣术后静脉回流障碍皮瓣远端部分坏死经扩创后植皮愈合.结论 小腿前外侧皮瓣游离皮瓣与腓浅神经营养血管为蒂的逆行岛状皮瓣在解剖上存在代偿关系,利用二皮瓣的血管解剖联系可扩大二皮瓣的切取面积及应用范围.     

小腿前外侧皮瓣及腓浅神经营养血管为蒂岛状皮瓣的临床应用

目的 探讨小腿前外侧皮瓣与腓浅神经营养血管岛状皮瓣的解剖关系及临床应用价值.方法 对手部软组织缺损采用吻合腓浅血管的小腿前外侧皮瓣移植修复7例;对足踝部软组织缺损采用带腓浅神经营养血管为蒂逆行岛状皮瓣修复7例;对小腿中上段骨外露创面采用以腓浅动脉为蒂顺行岛状皮瓣修复4例、中下段骨外露创面采用以上方腓浅动脉及下方腓浅神经营养血管共同为蒂构成联合皮瓣推移修复13例.结果 吻合腓浅血管的小腿前外侧皮瓣7例、以腓浅动脉为蒂顺行岛状皮瓣4例、以上方腓浅动脉及下方腓浅神经营养血管共同为蒂的联合皮瓣13例,上述皮瓣均完全成活;以腓浅神经营养血管为蒂逆行岛状皮瓣7例,6例皮瓣完全成活,1例皮瓣术后静脉回流障碍皮瓣远端部分坏死经扩创后植皮愈合.结论 小腿前外侧皮瓣游离皮瓣与腓浅神经营养血管为蒂的逆行岛状皮瓣在解剖上存在代偿关系,利用二皮瓣的血管解剖联系可扩大二皮瓣的切取面积及应用范围.     

重建感觉的腓肠神经营养皮瓣修复足跟部缺损的临床研究

目的 利用腓肠神经皮瓣所带的腓肠神经内侧支和外侧支与创面周围胫神经端侧缝合,重建皮瓣的感觉以及恢复足背外侧感觉,以解决患者足踝部感觉缺失的痛苦并恢复覆盖足跟皮瓣的感觉.方法 1999年8月-2007年8月,收治足跟部皮肤软组织缺损25例(27足),进行腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣移植,其中14例行腓肠神经营养皮瓣与腓动脉皮瓣联合皮瓣移植.切取皮瓣时,在腓肠神经近端多取1～3cm.腓肠神经内侧支和外侧支,断端与胫神经行端侧缝合.术后6～9个月随访,按照感觉检查分级标准把皮瓣和足背外侧感觉恢复情况分成S_1～S_55级,并按感觉恢复范围分成R_1,小于25%;R_2,25%～50%;R_3,50%～75%;R＿4,75%～100%.结果 术后随访6～9个月,皮瓣及足背外侧皮肤感觉恢复情况:S_46足、S_318足、S_23足.皮瓣及足背外侧感觉恢复范围:R_412足、R_315足.结论 作腓肠神经营养皮瓣移植时行腓肠神经与创面周围胫神经端侧缝合手术简单,对胫神经无不良影响,而皮瓣和足背外侧感觉恢复较好.腓肠神经营养皮瓣与腓动脉皮瓣的联合皮瓣切取面积大,对大面积的足部皮肤缺损是一种理想的方法.     

腓骨瓣联合小腿外侧皮瓣修复颌面缺损

目的 探讨腓骨瓣联合小腿外侧皮瓣修复口腔颌面软、硬组织缺损的临床疗效.方法 以腓动、静脉为血管蒂腓骨瓣联合小腿外侧皮瓣进行颌面部软、硬组织缺损修复,腓骨用于修复颌骨缺损,小腿外侧皮瓣主要用于修复口底、牙龈、咽侧、颊以及腭部的软组织缺损.结果 2005年3月至2007年3月,共治疗26例,其中修复恶性肿瘤术后缺损25例,双侧上颌骨缺失1例.术中组织瓣制备顺利,没有出现伤及腓骨血管以及小腿外侧皮瓣的穿支血管的现象.所有移植组织瓣全部成活.其中有1例术后12 h出现吻合动脉危象,经抢救成活;1例术后24 h出现静脉吻合危象,静脉血栓形成,经手术探查,重新吻合静脉后,抢救成功.术后随访6个月至2年,修复区外形满意,患者能从事正常的社会活动.结论 腓骨瓣联合小腿外侧皮瓣修复口腔颌面部复合组织缺损效果较好.可作为首选方法.     

Anatomic study and clinical application of distally-based neuro-myocutaneous compound flaps in the leg

OBJECTIVE: Anatomical study on the anastomosis between the neurovascular axis and the musculocutaneous perforators in leg. The distally-based neuron-myocutaneous flap was used for repairing special patients with soft tissue defect in foot and ankle. METHODS: Systematical observation was carried out on 30 injected lower legs about the anastomosis between the neurovascular axis and the musculocutaneous perforators, and we summarized the clinical experiences from February 2004 on 12 cases using distally-based neuron-myocutaneous flap for repairing special patients with soft tissue defect in foot and ankle. RESULTS: The neuron-vessels of sural nerve anastomosed permanently with the musculocutaneous perforators of medial and lateral head of gastrocnemius. There were two to three anastomoses found, respectively. The medial anastomotic branches were found larger in caliber than the lateral ones. The spatium intermuscular branches of the posterior tibial artery gave off their junior branches and anastomosed with the vessels in or out of the soleus muscle. There were two to three muscular branches perforated out of the soleus muscle, with mean caliber 0.5 +/- 0.2 mm and accompanying with one to two veins. The neuron-vessels of the superficial fibular nerve gave off alone its course two to three muscular branches to the long extensor muscle digits and the long fibular muscle, and one to two fasciocutaneous to the skin. The diameter of the muscular branches was 0.4 +/- 0.2 mm in average. Accounting for the operating models in the 12 cases, we had distally-based sural neuron-myocutaneous flap in 7 cases, saphenous neuron-myocutaneous flap in 4 cases, and superficial fibular neuron-myocutaneous flap in 1 case. All these cases were followed up at least for 2-6 months and had the significant results of nice limb's shape and cured osteomyelitis. CONCLUSION: Distally-based neuro-myocutaneous flap in leg can live with reliable blood circulation. These flaps offer excellent donor sites for repairing special the soft tissue defect in foot and ankle.     

跗外侧动脉皮瓣移植修复手足皮肤缺损

目的探讨跗外侧动脉皮瓣移植修复手足部皮肤缺损的临床效果。方法在足背外侧设计以足背动脉为蒂的跗外侧动脉皮支穿出点为中心的逆行皮瓣修复手足部皮肤缺损,皮瓣的足背外侧皮神经在足部与跖底神经吻合,手部动脉与桡动脉浅支吻合,神经与桡神经浅支吻合,足外侧供区用腹股沟全厚皮打包植皮。结果手术时间:带蒂皮瓣转移85～240min,平均160min;游离皮瓣185～425min,平均430min。术后51例皮瓣全部成活。35例随访8～36个月,平均19个月,跗外侧动脉皮瓣及植皮全部成活,感觉、外形良好,不需要二期整形。结论跗外侧动脉皮瓣逆行转移修复手足部皮肤缺损,皮瓣薄、有神经支配、解剖位置恒定。     

踇趾腓侧皮瓣移植修复拇手指皮肤缺损

目的报道趾腓侧皮瓣移植修复拇手指皮肤缺损的临床效果。方法根据拇手指皮肤缺损的部位、形状、面积设计以跖背动脉或跖底动脉为蒂的趾腓侧皮瓣游离移植修复创面。结果临床应用17例全部成活。一期修复后的患指近似健指,感觉、运动功能均达优良。结论趾腓侧皮瓣是修复拇手指皮肤缺损的一种较好方法。     

游离组织瓣移植修复足踝部特殊类型组织缺损

目的探讨多种游离皮瓣修复足踝部特殊类型组织缺损的临床效果.方法采用股前外侧皮瓣、胸脐肌皮瓣及旋髂深血管为蒂的髂骨皮瓣3种游离吻合移植方法，对16例足踝部特殊类型组织缺损患者进行修复。结果16例游离移植皮瓣全部成活.随访4～18个月，所有皮瓣色泽、质地，外观良好，创面完全覆盖.结论股前外侧皮瓣、胸脐肌皮瓣及旋髂深血管为蒂的髂骨皮瓣是修复足踝部特殊类型组织缺损的有效方法.     

Reconstruction of lower limb bone defects after sarcoma resection in children and adolescents using free vascularized fibular transfer

This study included 11 patients with lower limb tumors who had wide local resection and reconstruction by vascularized fibula osteoseptocutaneous flap and their surgery performed at least 24 months before the end of the study. The average age at operation was 14.4 years. All tumors, except one, were high-grade sarcomas (stage IIA, IIB, and Ewing's sarcoma). The tumor volume averaged 200.6 cm3 (range 41.5-400). The resulting defect after tumor resection averaged 14.8 cm (range 9-20). The fibula was inserted as a single strut in eight patients and as a double-barrel construct in three patients. Fixation was augmented by interlocking nail in four cases, bridge plate in five cases and external fixator in two cases. All flaps survived. All grafts united in an average period of 3.9 months (range 3-8) after transfer. Full weightbearing was possible after an average period of 6 months (range 6-10). Significant hypertrophy (>/=30% of the original fibular diameter) occurred in all patients after an average period of 10 months from the index operation. In the latest follow-up radiographs (mean 38 months), the degree of hypertrophy averaged 96.6% (range 30-200%). Graft fracture occurred in one patient after plate removal and healed conservatively. Shortening averaged 1 cm (range 0-3). The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society rating score averaged 21 points at the end of the first postoperative year and 23 at the end of the study.     

腓骨头复合组织瓣修复儿童内踝骨皮肤缺损四例

目的 探讨腓骨头复合组织瓣修复儿童内踝骨皮肤缺损的临床效果.方法 2005年8月至2009年4月,根据腓骨头区域的解剖学特点.设计了以膝下外侧血管束为供血的腓骨头复合组织瓣,修复儿童内踝骨皮肤缺损4例,内踝缺损均累及骨骺,皮肤缺损面积为3～6 cm × 8～10cm.结果 4例腓骨头复合组织瓣血供丰富,全部存活,朱出现血管危象.术后随访4个月至4年,4例骨端全部愈合,重建内踝形态良好,踝关节外形及功能恢复满意.结论 腓骨头复合组织瓣是修复儿童内踝骨皮肤缺损的一种较好方法.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of fibular head composite flap for bone and skin defect at medial malleolus in children. Methods From Aug. 2005 to Apr. 2009, 4 children cases(2 male, 2 famale, from 3 to 11 year) with bone and skin defect at medial malleolus were reconstructed with fibular head composite flaps pedicled with lateral inferior genicular vascular bundle. The skin defect was 3- 6 cm × 8-10 cm in size. Results All the 4 compostie flaps survived completely. The patients were followed up for 4 months to 4 years with good bony healing. Both esthetic and functional results were satisfactory in ankle joint. Conclusions The fibular head composite tissue flap has a good therapeutic effect for bone and skin defect at medial malleolus in children.     

两套血供的小腿外侧皮瓣逆行转位修复足踝部软组织缺损

目的 介绍两套血供的改良小腿外侧皮瓣逆行转位修复老年人足踝部软组织缺损的临床体会。 方法 对足踝部软组织缺损、创面骨肌腱外露、需作皮瓣修复的老年病例,在传统的小腿外侧逆行岛状皮瓣及穿支带腓肠神经营养血管逆行岛状皮瓣的基础上,利用小腿外侧皮瓣中下段穿出的骨皮动脉皮支及腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣的供血穿支均发自腓动脉的特点,将皮瓣设计于小腿后外侧,用兼顾传统小腿外侧皮瓣及腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣在供m范围的重叠区域而形成两套血供的改良小腿外侧逆行岛状皮瓣修复。结果临床共应用11例,所有皮瓣术后均顺利成活,供区植皮愈合良好,经3～9个月随访,6例皮瓣外观满意,踝关节伸屈功能正常,基本恢复行走功能;5例合并伸肌腱缺损者3个月后作肌腱移植重建后恢复行走功能。 结论 采用两套血供的改良小腿外侧皮瓣逆行转位是修复老年人足踝部软组织缺损的好方法。     

Microsurgical reconstruction of lower limb bone defects following tumor resection using vascularized fibula osteoseptocutaneous flap

This study included 25 patients with lower limb tumors who had wide local resection and reconstruction by vascularized fibula osteoseptocutaneous flap, and who had their surgery performed at least 24 months before the end of the study. The average age at operation was 23.5 years. Twenty-three tumors were malignant;16 were staged as high-grade sarcomas (stage IIA, stage IIB, and Ewing's sarcoma). Tumor volume averaged 293.2 cc (range, 41.4-860). The resulting defect after tumor resection averaged 16 cm (range, 9-20 cm). The fibula was inserted as a single strut in 21 patients, and as a double-barrel construct in 4 patients. Fixation was augmented by interlocking nail in 11 cases, bridge plate in 9 cases, and external fixator in 5 cases. Twenty-four (96%) flaps survived. All grafts united in an average period of 4.5 months (range, 3-8 months) after transfer. Two secondary procedures were necessary to achieve graft union. Full weight bearing was possible after an average period of 7.5 months (range, 5-14 months). Significant hypertrophy (> or =30% of original fibular diameter) occurred in 85% of patients after an average period of 10 months from the index operation. In the latest follow-up radiographs (mean, 32 months), the degree of hypertrophy averaged 90% (range, 30-200%). Graft fracture occurred in three patients, and all healed conservatively. The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society rating score (MTSRS) averaged 21.2 points at the end of the first postoperative year, and 23.6 at the end of the study.