OBJECTIVE To investigate a good method for repairing the long bone defect of tibia combined with soft tissue defect. METHODS From 1988-1998, sixteen patients with long bone defect of tibia were admitted. There were 12 males, 4 females and aged from 16 to 45 years. The length of tibia defect ranged from 7 cm to 12 cm, the area of soft tissue defect ranged from 5 cm x 3 cm to 12 cm x 6 cm. Free fibula grafting was adopted in repairing. During operation, the two ends of fibular artery were anastomosised with the anterior tibial artery of the recipient, and the composited fibular flap were transplanted. RESULTS All grafted fibula unioned and the flap survived completely. Followed up for 6 to 111 months, 14 patients acquired the normal function while the other 2 patients received arthrodesis of the tibial-talus joint. In all the 16 patients, the unstable ankle joint could not be observed. CONCLUSION The modified method is characterized by the clear anatomy, the less blood loss and the reduced operation time. Meanwhile, the blood supply of the grafted fibula can be monitored.
Objective To evaluate the effect of the treatment of necrosis of femoral head with the free vascularized fibula grafting. Methods From October 2000 to February 2002, 31 hips in 26 patients with ischemic necrosis of the femoral head were treated with free vascularized fibula graft. Among these patients, 21 patients (25 hips) were followed up for 6-18 months(12 months on average). According to Steinberg stage:Ⅱ period, 5 hips;Ⅲ period,8 hips; Ⅳ period, 12 hips.Results Among 25hips, their Harris Hip Score at all satges were improved during the follow-up. The symptom of pain diminished or disappeared after operation. The patient’s ability to work and live was notlimited or only slightly limited during the follow-up. Radiographic evaluation showed that most femoral heads improved (18 hips) or unchanged (6 hips) and only oneworsened.Conclusion The free vascularized fibular grafting is a valuable method for femoral head necrosis. With this method, we can prevent or delay the process of the disease.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 explore the anatomical basis of blood supply and heel reconstruction by reversed island fibular musculocutaneous flap. METHODS: The blood supply of fibular musculocutaneous flap and the biomechanical characteristics of heel were studied by anatomical examination. One case with right heel full defect because of explosion injury was repaired by transfer of reversed island fibular vessels. The fibular flap was 14 cm in length with part of peroneus muscle and long flexor muscle of great toe. RESULTS: The lower part of fibular artery had plentiful anastomosis with anterior tibial artery and posterior tibial artery, which could provide ideal reversed blood supply. The rotatory point of vessel pedicle could be chosen according to the need of operation. The lowest site might be above 6 cm to lateral malleolus, and the vessel pedicle was 20 cm in length. The morphological feature of the reversed island fibular musculocutaneous flap was suitable to the biomechanical character of heel. The patient achieved satisfactory clinical result, the musculocutaneous flap survived well for 10 months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: The reversed island fibular musculocutaneous flap provide a new method for repairing the severe heel defect, especially in full defect of calcaneus and cuboid bone.
The treatmen t of the bone defect of the distal part of the radiu s included repair of the bone defect and resto rat ion of the funct ion of the w rist jo in t. Since 1979, th ree operat ive methods w ere u sed to t reat 13 cases, and they w ere graf t ing of the vascu larized f ibu la by anastom rsis f ibu lar vessels, graf t ing of upper part of f ibu lar w ith lateral inferio rgen icu lar artery and graf t ing vascu larized scapu la f lap. Follow up had been carried ou t from1 to 10 years. The resu lt w as sat isfacto ry. The discu ssion included the repair of the defect of the m iddle o r distal part of the radiu s, the operat ive methods, main at ten t ion s and indications. It was considered that it shou ld be based on the length of bone defect wh ile the operative method was considered.