Free vascularised fibular graft for reconstruction of defects of the lower limb after resection of tumour

Abstract

We describe a retrospective review of 38 cases of reconstruction following resection of the metaphysiodiaphysis of the lower limb for malignant bone tumours using free vascularised fibular grafts. The mean follow-up was for 7.6 years (0.4 to 18.4). The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score was 27.2 (20 to 30). The score was significantly higher when the graft was carried out in a one-stage procedure after resection of the tumour rather than in two stages. Bony union was achieved in 89% of the cases. The overall mean time to union was 1.7 years (0.2 to 10.3). Free vascularised fibular transfer is a major operation with frequent, but preventable, complications which allows salvage of the limb with satisfactory functional results.

Non-vascularised fibula grafts for reconstruction of segmental and hemicortical bone defects following meta- /diaphyseal tumour resection at the extremities

“…Hariri et al reported a mean union-time of 1.75 years using vascularised fibula grafts, but all patients received neo-/adjuvant chemotherapy [37]. In our series, a total of 6 patients received neo-/adjuvant therapy (Table 1), and three of these patients had a delayed union or non-union.…”

Clinical aspects of reconstruction of the lower third of the leg with fasciocutaneous flap based on peroneal artery perforators

“…The postoperative follow-up of the applied flaps was also described by other authors who reported the total number of complications similar to determined in this investigation 21,22 . The number of flap failures reported by other authors was larger due to the various numbers of applied flaps 23,24 .…”

Proximal femur reconstruction using a vascularized fibular epiphysis within a cadaveric femoral allograft in a child with Ewing sarcoma: a case report

“…The use of the decellularized cadaveric allograft in particular was opted because of its increased strength when compared to the fibula autograft alone [13] . Because the defect was extensive and required a long vascular pedicle, a larger portion of the autologous fibula than previously described by Capanna et al [11] was needed.…”