The treatment of benign lesions of the proximal femur with non-vascularised autologous fibular strut grafts

We report our experience of treating 17 patients with benign lesions of the proximal femur with non-vascularised, autologous fibular strut grafts, without osteosynthesis. The mean age of the patients at presentation was 16.5 years (5 to 33) and they were followed up for a mean of 2.9 years (0.4 to 19.5). Histological diagnoses included simple bone cyst, fibrous dysplasia, aneurysmal bone cysts and giant cell tumour. Local recurrence occurred in two patients (11.7%) and superficial wound infection, chronic hip pain and deep venous thrombosis occurred in three. Pathological fracture did not occur in any patient following the procedure. We conclude that non-vascularised fibular strut grafts are a safe and satisfactory method of treating benign lesions of the proximal femur.     

A comparison of the use of distal radius vascularised bone graft and non-vascularised iliac crest bone graft in the treatment of non-union of scaphoid fractures

We compared two surgical techniques for the treatment of scaphoid non-union, namely, using distal radius vascularised bone graft and iliac crest non-vascularised bone graft. Eighty patients with symptomatic scaphoid non-union underwent surgical treatment, including 35 patients treated with distal radius vascularised bone graft and 45 treated by iliac crest non-vascularised bone graft. Patients were assessed objectively by examination of wrist range of motion, grip strength and radiographic findings in the postoperative period after a mean time of 2.8 (1.4) (range 1-5.2) years. Similar functional results were obtained with the two techniques. All cases of non-union in the non-vascularised group obtained consolidation in a mean time of 8.89 (2.26) months and in the vascularised group in a mean time of 7.97 (3.06) months. Three cases of consolidation failure occurred in the vascularised group and were related to technical difficulties.     

Free non-vascularised fibular graft for treatment of post-traumatic bone defects

Post-traumatic bone defects usually occur from severe high-velocity injuries due to road traffic accidents; they may be difficult to fill. We have managed defects of long bones by the use of free non-vascularised fibular grafts harvested subperiosteally and held by screw fixation of the fibular strut ends to the ends of the bone defect, combined with an external fixator in 8 tibial defects and with a plate and screws in 2 ulnae and 2 humeri. Twelve patients, eleven male and one female, with a mean average age of 25 years (range 12-40), underwent this procedure. Eleven grafts (92%) united at both ends within an average of 4 months (range, 3 to 5 months). The defect lengths averaged 7 cm (range from 6 to 10 cm). The long-term follow-up showed complete 'tibialisation' of the fibula. Non-vascularised fibular graft, compared to microvascular reconstruction and Ilizarov techniques, is a simple procedure that is still valid to bridge bone defects successfully in selected cases.     

Functional outcome following excision of a tumour and reconstruction of the distal radius

We retrospectively studied the functional and oncological results of 15 patients after reconstruction of the distal radius with osteoarticular allograft or non-vascularised fibular graft following wide excision of an aggressive benign or malignant tumour. Eight patients underwent osteoarticular allograft and seven patients had a non-vascularised autogenous fibular graft reconstruction. The average time for incorporation of the graft was 6 and 5 months in each reconstruction respectively. There was no tumour recurrence after follow up over 41.5-95.5 (average 60.5) months. All patients had good and excellent functional results. Three patients in the group reconstructed with osteoarticular allograft had plate loosening and graft fractures which were successfully treated subsequently.     

Limb salvage for osteosarcoma of the distal tibia with resection arthrodesis, autogenous fibular graft and Ilizarov external fixator

We report the results of limb salvage for non-metastatic osteosarcoma of the distal tibia using resection arthrodesis, autogenous fibular graft and fixation by an Ilizarov external fixator. In six patients with primary osteosarcoma of the distal tibia who refused amputation, treatment with wide en bloc resection and tibiotalar arthrodesis was undertaken. The defect was reconstructed using non-vascularised free autogenous fibular strut graft in three patients and a vascularised pedicular fibular graft in three, all supplemented with iliac cancellous graft at the graft-host junction. An Ilizarov external fixator was used for stabilisation of the reconstruction. In five patients sound fusion occurred at a mean of 13.2 months (8 to 20) with no evidence of local recurrence or deep infection at final follow-up. The mean post-operative functional score was 70% (63% to 73%) according to the Musculoskeletal Tumour Society scoring system. All five patients showed graft hypertrophy. Union of the graft was faster in cases reconstructed by vascularised fibular grafts. One patient who had a poor response to pre-operative chemotherapy developed local tumour recurrence at one year post-operatively and required subsequent amputation.     

REPLACEMENT OF THE PROXIMAL HUMERUS IN PRIMARY BONE TUMOURS

Background: Primary bone tumours have traditionally been treated by forequarter amputation. However, recent limb salvage techniques have become available which are comparable for tumour control and preserve a useful distal limb. This report describes the use of the Huckstep ceramic shoulder with ceramic spacers, non-vascularized fibular grafts and Huckstep nail with ceramic spacers. Methods: Three techniques are described for the reconstruction of the humerus following primary tumour excision. The seven primary bone tumours in this series included three patients with osteosarcoma, two with chondrosarcoma, one with fibrosarcoma and one with an aneurysmal bone cyst. The mean age of the four males and three females was 27 years (range 18–57). Mean follow up was 8.8 years (range 1–18). The techniques used were the Huckstep ceramic shoulder prosthesis with spacers (three cases), non-vascularized fibular grafts (three cases) and the Huckstep nail with ceramic spacers (one case). Results: One fibular graft required supplementary bone grafting and one patient with a shoulder prosthesis died of metastatic disease. The other five patients are well with a good range of shoulder abduction and external rotation. Conclusions: Limb salvage surgery of the upper limb is possible. Deltoid, rotator cuff and radial nerve functions can be preserved.     

Non-vascularised fibular graft as an intramedullary strut for infected non-union of the humerus

PURPOSE. To review outcomes of 7 patients who underwent revision surgery for infected non-union of the humerus using a fibular graft as an intramedullary strut. METHODS. Records of 7 men aged 29 to 59 (mean, 40) years with humeral diaphyseal infected non-union who underwent fixation using a compression plate and a non-vascularised fibular graft as an intramedullary strut were reviewed. The mean number of previous surgeries was 2.7 (range, 2-4). Three of the patients had active draining sinuses previously. Their C-reactive protein levels were normal and tissue cultures negative. The remaining 4 patients had active draining sinuses. They first underwent implant removal and debridement. Tissue cultures confirmed infection in 3 of them. The mean duration between debridement and the index surgery was 5 (range, 3-10) months. RESULTS. The mean length of the fibulae harvested was 13 (range, 12-15) cm. All 7 non-unions healed. The mean time to healing was 5.4 (range, 4-8) months. The mean follow-up period was 15 (range, 13-24) months. All patients had weakness of the extensor hallucis longus, which improved to near normal at month 3. There was no donor-site morbidity. Three patients with active infection at presentation underwent repeat surgery. Two of them had wound washouts, and their non-unions went on to heal successfully; one underwent implant removal after union due to an active sinus. Six of the patients returned to their pre-injury activity level, and one endured a brachial plexus injury. CONCLUSION. Fixation using a compression plate and a non-vascularised fibular graft as an intramedullary strut achieved good outcome for infected non-union of the humerus despite prior multiple failed surgeries.     

无内固定自体腓骨移植修复肱骨近端肿瘤性骨缺损

目的 探讨无内固定自体腓骨对肱骨近端肿瘤切除后骨缺损的修复重建方法。方法 1991年6月～2003年12月对26例肱骨近端骨肿瘤患者行病灶囊内刮除或瘤段切除，患者年龄6～41岁。其中骨巨细胞瘤5例，骨囊肿9例，骨纤维结构不良8例，内生软骨瘤4例。采用肱骨近端肿瘤病灶刮除自体腓骨支撑内固定15例，肱骨近端瘤段切除自体腓骨重建肩关节11例。根据手术类型和肿瘤切除后骨缺损的大小，用不带血管蒂的自体近端腓骨3～10cm（平均6cm），移植重建肩关节或联合异体骨填充骨缺损。结果 26例术后经1～12年，平均3．4年随访，2例术后2年内出现肿瘤原位复发，二期行截肢术，其中1例肺转移死亡。15例保留肱骨肩关节面，腓骨支撑填充骨缺损，术后肩关节外观及功能恢复良好，其中3例患儿术后3周肩关节恢复正常活动。11例瘤段切除后近段腓骨修复重建肩关节，术后肩关节保留部分功能。结论 无内固定不带血管的自体腓骨移植对肱骨近端肿瘤切除后的骨缺损是一种有效的修复方法。     

The outcome of pelvic reconstruction with non-vascularised fibular grafts after resection of bone tumours

We retrospectively evaluated 18 patients with a mean age of 37.3 years (14 to 72) who had undergone pelvic reconstruction stabilised with a non-vascularised fibular graft after resection of a primary bone tumour. The mean follow-up was 10.14 years (2.4 to 15.7). The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score was 76.5% (50% to 100%). Primary union was achieved in the majority of reconstructions within a mean of 22.9 weeks (7 to 60.6). The three patients with delayed or nonunion all received additional therapy (chemotherapy/radiation) (p = 0.0162). The complication rate was comparable to that of other techniques described in the literature. Non-vascularised fibular transfer to the pelvis is a simpler, cheaper and quicker procedure than other currently described techniques. It is a biological reconstruction with good results and a relatively low donor site complication rate. However, adjuvant therapy can negatively affect the outcome of such grafts.     

吻合血管腓骨移植48例报告

目的　探索吻合血管腓骨移植治疗长管骨大段骨缺损的方法与效果。方法　长管骨骨缺损６ ｃｍ 以上４８ 例,用对侧腓骨游离移植修复缺损,均携带供观察腓骨血供的“监测皮岛”或供修复皮肤软组织缺损的皮瓣。结果　１ 例失败,４４ 例于术后３ ～６ 个月、３ 例于１ 年内骨性愈合。随访３ 年以上３６ 例,移植腓骨均增粗、塑形,酷似受区长管骨。结论　吻合血管腓骨移植治疗长管骨大段骨缺损效果满意,“监测皮岛”是保证腓骨血供的有效监测手段     

复合骨移植修复骨肿瘤切除后大段骨关节缺损

目的 报道复合骨移植修复骨肿瘤切除后大段骨关节缺损的临床疗效。方法 2001年1月-2002年12月应用带监测皮岛的自体腓骨与大段同种异体深低温冷冻骨关节复合移植修复骨肿瘤切除后大段骨关节缺损10例。结果 10例均得到随访，随访时间5～24个月。移植的自体腓骨长度最长28cm，最短15cm。8例在术后3个月即有影像学骨性愈合，10例均于术后半年完全负重和邻近关节自由活动，术后超过1年的5例均已拆除内固定，术后1年均完全愈合。结论 带监测皮岛的自体腓骨与大段同种异体深低温冷冻骨关节复合移植是修复骨肿瘤切除后大段骨关节缺损的有效且可靠的方法，可用于骨肿瘤保肢术中。     

Treatment of benign lesions of humerus with resection and non-vascularised, autologous fibular graft

The aim of this study was to analyse the long-term results of surgical en bloc resection and replacement with non-vascularised, autologous fibular graft for the treatment of large benign humeral lesions without fixation. We retrospectively reviewed data of seven females and 13 males with unilateral benign lesions where steroid injection, curettage and bone grafting or pathological fracture failed to restore integrity. Subperiosteal, en bloc resection of the cystic lesion with a margin of the normal bone was performed. The average age of the patients at the time of operation was 11.8 years (range 4–28 years). All patients were skeletally mature at last follow-up. Aneurysmal bone cysts were histologically identified in seven cases, solitary cysts in 11 and fibrous dysplasia in two cases. No recurrence of the pathology, pain, graft fracture or limitation in range of motion was noted. In three patients in whom the cyst was adjacent to the proximal growth plate of the humerus, there was shortening of the bone at the last follow-up examination measuring 2 cm, 4.5 cm and 6 cm, respectively. Two cases had a valgus deformity of 10° and 15°, respectively, which was evident radiographically at the time of last follow-up. The results of en bloc resection with non-vascularised, autologous fibular graft for the treatment of large benign humeral lesions without fixation are encouraging. The risk of associated complications is low. In our opinion this should be the method of choice in the treatment of large, multi-chamber benign bone lesions of the humerus which fail more “conservative” treatment.     

A modified induced membrane 2-stage technique using a thoracodorsal artery perforator free flap followed by vascularized or non-vascularized free fibular transfer for the treatment of complex bone infection with concomitant severe soft tissue lesion–A case series of 9 cases

Treatment of post-traumatic complex bone infection is very challenging. The two principal bone reconstruction approaches are the single-stage vascularized bone graft technique and the two-stage induced membrane technique (IMT). Here we introduce a modified 2-stage induced membrane technique (MIMT) for complex long bone infection with a major bone defect and a concomitant severe soft tissue lesion. The 2-stage procedure consists of bone debridement, placement of a PMMA spacer and soft tissue reconstruction with a thoracodorsal artery perforator free flap (“Tdap”) at stage 1. At stage 2, the thoracodorsal artery perforator flap is elevated and a fibular strut graft (either vascularized of non-vascularized) is placed for bone reconstruction.We retrospectively analyzed the extents of lower extremity, long bone, post-traumatic bone infection treated via MIMT from 2008 to 2020. There were nine such cases (eight males) of mean age 59.8 (range 31 to 79) years. The osteomyelitis durations ranged from 3 to 360 months (mean 53 months). The cortical bone defect sizes was ranged from 9 to 14 cm (mean10.7 cm). All skin resurfacing employed Tdap. Vascularized fibular grafts were placed in six patients and non-vascularized grafts were placed in three. The fibular graft size ranged from 12.5 to 19 cm (mean 16.2 cm). Non-vascularized iliac bone grafts served as the fibula docking sites.Unfortunately, all patients suffered complications before bone union was achieved. One case of plate stress fracture and one case of screw fracture required plate and screw change. In three cases of cellulitis, one resolved by use of intravenous antibiotics, others required plate and screw removal. Wound disruption required re-suture and distal skin flap partial necrosis was covered by perforator-based island flap. One case of fibular stress fracture needed cast for 4 weeks. A peroneal nerve palsy patient recovered spontaneously. Bone union was achieved after 6 months in five patients and after 8 months in three (mean 6.9 months). All patients were able to walk unaided. The follow-up period ranged from 2 to 14 years (mean 6.2 years).MIMT saves the limbs in cases with difficult post-traumatic bone infection. It is valid treatment option for complex bone infections with severe soft tissue lesions. However, even with this technique potential complication must be considered.     

Vascularised bone transfer for defects and pseudarthroses of forearm bones.

During a five-year period, 15 patients with defects or pseudarthroses of the forearm bones were operated on. All had previously undergone one to six conventional operations. A vascularised fibular graft was used in ten cases, a radial graft in three cases and a humeral graft in two cases. Bone graft viability and healing were assessed clinically and patients have been observed for seven months to five years. 14 patients have finished treatment: 13 were cured and only two repeat osteosyntheses were required. In one case there was resorption of the central part of the fibular graft. Primary bony union was achieved in three to six months. Care must be taken in precise pre-operative assessment of the state of the forearm arteries. We advocate wider usage of vascularised radial and humeral grafts.     

Reconstruction of large posttraumatic skeletal defects of the forearm by vascularized free fibular graft

Vascularized bone graft is most commonly applied for reconstruction of the lower extremity; indications for its use in the reconstruction of the upper extremity have expanded in recent years. Between 1993-2000, 12 patients with segmental bone defects following forearm trauma were managed with vascularized fibular grafts: 6 males and 6 females, aged 39 years on average (range, 16-65 years). The reconstructed site was the radius in 8 patients and the ulna in 4. The length of bone defect ranged from 6-13 cm. In 4 cases, the fibular graft was harvested and used as a vascularized fibula osteoseptocutaneous flap. To achieve fixation of the grafted fibula, plates were used in 10 cases, and screws and Kirschner wires in 2. In the latter 2 cases, an external skeletal fixator was applied to ensure immobilization of the extremity. The follow-up period ranged from 10-93 months. Eleven grafts were successful. The mean period to obtain radiographic bone union was 4.8 months (range, 2.5-8 months). Fibular grafts allow the use of a segment of diaphyseal bone which is structurally similar to the radius and ulna and of sufficient length to reconstruct most skeletal defects of the forearm. The vascularized fibular graft is indicated in patients with intractable nonunions where conventional bone grafting has failed or large bone defects, exceeding 6 cm, are observed in the radius or ulna.     

Vascularized fibular graft in infected tibial bone loss

Background:

The treatment options of bone loss with infections include bone transport with external fixators, vascularized bone grafts, non-vascularized autogenous grafts and vascularized allografts. The research hypothesis was that the graft length and intact ipsilateral fibula influenced hypertrophy and stress fracture. We retrospectively studied the graft hypertrophy in 15 patients, in whom vascularized fibular graft was done for post-traumatic tibial defects with infection.

Materials and Methods:

15 male patients with mean age 33.7 years (range 18 - 56 years) of post traumatic tibial bone loss were analysed. The mean bony defect was 14.5 cm (range 6.5 – 20 cm). The mean length of the graft was 16.7 cm (range 11.5 – 21 cm). The osteoseptocutaneous flap (bone flap with attached overlying skin flap) from the contralateral side was used in all patients except one. The graft was fixed to the recipient bone at both ends by one or two AO cortical screws, supplemented by a monolateral external fixator. A standard postoperative protocol was followed in all patients. The hypertrophy percentage of the vascularized fibular graft was calculated by a modification of the formula described by El-Gammal. The followup period averaged 46.5 months (range 24 – 164 months). The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was worked out, to find the relationship between graft length and hypertrophy. The t-test was performed to find out if there was any significant difference in the graft length of those who had a stress fracture and those who did not and to find out whether there was any significant difference in hypertrophy with and without ipsilateral fibula union. The Chi square test was performed to identify whether there was any association between the stress fracture and the fibula union. Given the small sample size we have not used any statistical analysis to determine the relation between the percentage of the graft hypertrophy and stress fracture.

Results:

Graft union occurred in all patients in a mean time of 3.3 months, at both ends. At a minimum followup of 24 months the mean hypertrophy noted was 63.6% (30 – 136%) in the vascularized fibular graft. Ten stress fractures occurred in seven patients. The mean duration of the occurrence of a stress fracture in the graft was 11.1 months (2.5 – 18 months) postoperatively. The highest incidence of stress fractures was when the graft hypertrophy was less than 20%. The incidence of stress fractures reduced significantly after the graft hypertrophy exceeded 20%.

Conclusion:

In most cases hypertrophy of the vascularized fibular graft occurs in response to mechanical loading by protected weight bearing, and the amount of hypertrophy is variable. The presence or absence of an intact fibula has no bearing on the hypertrophy or incidence of stress fracture. The length of the fibular graft has no bearing on the hypertrophy or stress fracture.     

Free vascularised fibular grafting in the treatment of large skeletal defects due to osteomyelitis

Treatment of skeletal defects secondary to osteomyelitis is a challenging problem. The purpose of this study was to present our experience of the use of free vascularised fibular grafts to treat such defects. Ten patients with a mean age of 31 years (range 16–50 years) and a skeletal defect with a mean length of 9.5 cm (range 6–17 cm) were managed with a protocol which included radical debridement of the lesion and a vascularised fibular graft. The mean follow-up time was 26 months. Union of the graft occurred in all patients, at a mean of 4.5 months. No recurrence of osteomyelitis was observed. The mean time to full weight bearing was ten months, and all patients were pain-free and able to walk without supportive devices. A free vascularised fibular graft is a viable option for the management of large skeletal defects resulting from osteomyelitis.     

Vascularized fibular grafting in the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis and infected nonunion

Twenty patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) osteomyelitis and bone infection were treated with vascularized fibular grafts. There were 16 males and four females, and the patient ages at operation ranged from 17 to 73 years. Nine of the lesions affected the femur, eight the tibia, and there were three others. All of the patients were treated with extensive debridement of the lesions and local antibiotic therapy. Continuous local irrigation was applied in two patients, antibiotic-formulated bone cement in five, and both in 10 patients. Recurrence of local infection occurred in six patients, including one failed graft. Eventually, 18 of the 20 cases attained successful subsidence of the inflammation. The mean period required to obtain radiographic bone union was 7 months in the femoral reconstruction group, 6.1 months in the tibial reconstruction group, and 6 months in the remaining patients. The authors believe that vascularized fibular grafting is the most reliable procedure for the treatment of MRSA osteomyelitis and infected nonunion.     

桡骨远端巨细胞瘤切除自体腓骨头移植重建的远期疗效观察

目的 观察桡骨远端巨细胞瘤切除后取自体腓骨头移植重建的远期疗效.方法 对1994年3月至2004年11月31例桡骨远端巨细胞瘤患者行肿瘤大段切除,取自体腓骨上段移植重建.其中男性12例,女性19例;年龄19～48岁,平均31岁.Campanacci分期Ⅲ期24例,Ⅱ期7例.采用吻合血管的腓骨移植6例,其余25例行单纯腓骨移植.对本组患者进行临床及影像学评估,测量患者腕关节活动度、前臂旋前及旋后的活动度,测量患肢的握力.分别以MSTS评分及Mayo腕关节评分系统评价上肢及腕关节功能.结果 随访时间41～169个月,平均86.3个月.吻合血管的腓骨移植骨愈合时间为3～9个月,平均5.1个月.单纯腓骨移植患者骨愈合时间为7～15个月,平均10.3个月.1例单纯腓骨移植患者术后出现骨不愈合.1例患者术后出现肿瘤局部复发,复发率为3.2%.5例患者术后出现桡腕关节脱位.患者术后腕关节活动度为背伸(67.3±9.4)°、掌屈(31.2±5.1)°、桡偏(14.1±4.7)°、尺偏(19.4±3.9)°、前臂旋前(33.8±6.6)°、前臂旋后(15.3±4.0)°.对桡腕关节成型的28例患者进行握力测量为15.5～52.1 kg,平均33.1 kg,占健侧握力的73%.MSTS评分为23～29分,平均25.5分,Mayo腕关节功能评分40～65分,平均56分.结论 取自体腓骨上端移植重建是治疗桡骨远端巨细胞瘤的有效方法,术后患者腕关节功能恢复理想.腕关节囊的重建对于维持桡腕关节的术后稳定具有重要意义.     

Tibial reconstruction using a non-vascularised fibular transfer

A non-vascularised contralateral fibular transfer was performed on seven patients with non-union of the tibia and a sclerosed segmental bone defect following injury. The average follow-up was 2.7 years with a minimum of 2 years. The operation was successful in achieving fracture union in six patients, with an average time to union of 4.5 months (range: 3-6). Shortening of up to 2.4 cm was found in two patients and mild residual ankle stiffness in one. This procedure is successful and simple when compared to microvascular and Ilizarov techniques.