Vascularized bone grafts in children. Specifics and indications

The authors report on the vascularized bone grafts used in children. Some of them are the same as those used in adults, like the fibula free flap. Others are growth plate transfers as the proximal fibular epiphysis, the iliac crest or the lateral scapular crest. Finally, other transfers are periosteal vascularized grafts. The indications and results are discussed concerning the congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (43 cases treated by the first author), the congenital pseudarthrosis of the forearm, the tumors of the limb and the post-traumatic defects. The specific indications in children are the microsurgical growth plate transfers, especially the epiphyseal growth fibula for the upper limb and the iliac crest for the lower limb.