• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.169-174
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• 2009

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical results between interlocking intramedullary nail with fibular fixation and nail only for treating distal tibiofibular diaphyseal fractures. Materials and Methods: From March 2003 to September 2006, 19 distal tibiofibular fractures were antegrade nailed after anatomical reduction and fixation of fibular fractures, and another 37 fractures fixed with nails only. Average age of patients was 48.6 years. These two groups were compared by VAS (visual analogue scale) & ankle ROM according to degree of comminution and fracture configuration. The statistical analysis was evaluated by t-test. Results: There was no statistical difference between fibular fixation group and non-fixation group in VAS score according to fracture comminution and configuration (p>0.05). However, compared according to fracture configuration, mean ankle eversion of fibular fixation group in oblique fractures was 18.3 degrees, and that of non-fixation group was 12.5 degrees (p<0.05). In addition, mean ankle plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, inversion and total ankle ROM of fibular fixation group in spiral fractures was 40.0, 20.0, 30.0 and 108.3 degrees of each and that of non-fixation group was 38.3, 18.5, 27.0 and 101.7 degrees (p<0.05). Conclusions: In oblique and spiral fractures of distal tibiofibular diaphysis, interlocking intramedullary nail with fibular fixation had the advantage in postoperative ankle ROM. So, it can be a worthy method for the treatment of distal tibiofibular diaphyseal fractures.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.95-99
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiologic outcomes of distal fibular fractures and to analyze the risk factors associated with nonunion. Materials and Methods: Between January 2009 and March 2016, 13 patients who had final nonunion with ankle fracture were included. In the control group, 370 patients who had undergone bony union and removed metal implants were included. All patients underwent the same surgical procedure and had the same treatment method, ultimately achieving satisfactory open reduction results with less than 2 mm fracture gap. Surgical treatment of fracture was considered to have the same effect on nonunion, and factors that might be associated with nonunion were evaluated. SPSS ver. 13.0 (SPSS Inc., USA) was used for all statistical analyses. Pearson's chi-square test and multi-variate regression analysis were performed to determine the factors affecting nonunion of distal fibular fracture. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant, and relative risk was assessed. Results: The mean age of 13 patients was 46.9 years (range, 16~57 years); there were 8 men and 5 women. Among the 13 patients with nonunion, atrophic was the most common (12 cases). The association between the injury mechanism and the Lauge-Hansen classification and diabetes mellitus was not statistically significant. Distal fibular fractures with tibia shaft fracture (p=0.015) and Danis-Weber type C fracture (p=0.023), open fracture (p=0.011), and smoking (p=0.023) were significantly associated with nonunion. Conclusion: In this study, the combined injury of the ipsilateral tibia shaft fracture, open fracture, and Danis-Weber type C fracture may increase the possibility of nonunion. Therefore, caution is advised to prevent nonunion.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.54-61
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• 1998

Free vascularized fibular is the most usuful bony donor of the long bone reconstruction in reconstructive microsurgical field. It has many benifits such as very strong strut tubular bone, very reliable vascular anatomy with large vascular diameter with long pedicle, minimal donor site morbity too. In that situations of the huge long bone defects in distal femur or proximal tibia, the defective bony shape and strength of the transplanted fibular bone is not enough if only one strut of the fibula is transfered. The bony circulation of the fibula has two ways, one from nutrient artery via peroneal artery through nutrient foramen which makes endosteal arterial network inside of the fibula, another way is periosteal network through outside encircling vascular network of the bone which distributed in muscle sleeves of the fibular diaphysis. Authors modified free vascularized fibular bone graft with transverse osteotomy is made from the anterolateral aspect of the fibular shaft just distal to entry of the nutrient artery. This produces two vascularized bone struts that may be folded pararell to each other but that remain connected by the periosteum and muscle cuff surrounding the peroneal artery and veins. The proximal strut is vascularized by both a periosteal and endosteal blood supply, whereas the distal strut is vascularized by a periosteal blood supply alone. This procedure can call "doule barrel" free vascularized fibular graft. We performed 7 cases of doule barrel fashined fibular transplantation on distal femur and proximal tibial large defects. Average bone union time takes 7 months from that procedure. There were no significant bone union time differences between both proximal and distal struts. After solid union of the transfered double barrel fibular graft, there were no stress fracture in our series. We can propose double barrel free vascualized fibular graft is usuful method in that cases with very large bone defect on large long bones especially metaphyseal defects.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.50-56
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• 2005

There are limited treatment options in the reconstruction of the very large defect in the metaphyseal portion of distal femur and proximal tibia. Fibula is one of the most popular donor of the long bone reconstruction in reconstructive microsurgical field. It has many advantages such as very strong strut tubular bone, very reliable vascular anatomy with large vascular diameter and long pedicle. There are limited donor site problems such as transient peroneal nerve dysfunction. In those situations with the huge long bone defects in distal femur or proximal tibia, the defective bony shape and strength of the transplanted fibular bone is not enough if only one strut of the fibula is transferred. We performed 7 cases of "doule barrel" fibular transplantation on the metaphyseal portion of distal femur and proximal tibial large defects in which it is very difficult to fill the bony gap with conventional bone graft or callotasis methods. It takes averaged 8.3 months since that procedure to obtain bony union. After solid union of the transferred double barrelled fibular graft. There were no stress fracture in our series. So we can propose double barrel fibular graft is useful method in those cases with very large bone defect on the metaphysis of large long bone.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.130-135
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• 2013

Purpose: Preshaped Locking compression plate(LCP) has holes with fixed angle between screw and plate and have advantage firm fixation because it has stability of angular and axial deformity. We evaluated usefulness of LCP after open reduction and internal fixation in distal fibular fracture. Materials and Methods: Between December 2011 and May 2012, 23 patients with fracture of distal fibula were followed up at least 12 months underwent open reduction and internal fixation with LCP. There were 15 males and 8 females with a mean age 39.8(20~69) years. According to Danis-Weber classification, there were 20 cases of type B and 3 cases of type C. There were 13 cases of isolated lateral malleolus fractures, 1 case of bimalleolar fracture, 6 cases of trimalleolar fractures and 3 cases of distal tibia fractures with proximal fibula fracture. Intraoperatively, we assessed whether preshaped LCP fit lateral margin of distal fibula or not and evaluated quality of reduction and postoperative complications. The cases were analyzed by radiological bone union time and clinical results according to the criteria of Meyer Results: Of all cases, complete bone union was achieved and average radiological bone union time was 7.3(6~12) weeks. The clinical results were excellent in 18 cases(78%), good in 5 cases(22%). There were 5 cases of plate with 3 holes, 13 cases of plate with 4 holes, 2 cases of plate with 5 holes, 1 case of plate with 6 holes and 2 cases of plate with 7 holes. The average number of screws at proximal fragement was 2.5 and at distal fragment was 3.5. In 14 cases (60.8 %), we needed re-bending of plate because the distance between plate and lateral cortical margin of distal fibula was more than 5 mm at anteroposterior X-ray after reduction. All cases have anatomical reduction and there were no complications of wound infections. There were no complaint about hardware irritation. Conclusion: At fractures of distal fibula,preshaped LCP had a excellent stability although far cortex was not fixed with screw and bending of plate. And there are less complications of hardware irritation and wound problems. But, Some complement would be needed because there were no complete fitting between precontour of LCP and lateral cortical margin of distal fibula.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.41-49
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• 2015

Free or pedicled vascularized fibular grafts (VFG) are useful for the reconstruction of large skeletal defects, particularly in cases of scarred or avascular beds, or in patients with combined bone and soft tissue defects. Compared to non-VFG, VEG, which contains living osteocytes and osteoblasts, maintains its own viability and serves as good osteoconductive and osteoinductive graft. Due to its many structural and biological advantages, the free fibular osteo- or osteocutaneous graft is considered the most suitable autograft for the reconstruction of long bone defects in the injured extremity. The traditional indication of VFG is the long bone and soft tissue defect, which cannot be reconstructed using a conventional operative method. Recently, the indications have been widely expanded not only for defects of midtibia, humerus, forearm, distal femur, and proximal tibia, but also for the arthrodesis of shoulder and knee joints. Because of its potential to allow further bone growth, free fibular epiphyseal transfer can be used for the hip or for distal radius defects caused by the radical resection of a tumor. The basic anatomy and surgical techniques for harvesting the VFG are well known; however, the condition of the recipient site is different in each case. Therefore, careful preoperative surgical planning should be customized in every patient. In this review, recently expanded surgical indications of VFG and surgical tips based on the author's experiences in the issues of fixation method, one or two staged reconstruction, size mismatching, overcoming the stress fracture, and arthrodesis of shoulder and knee joint using VFG are discussed with the review of literature.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.166-170
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• 2004

Purpose: To evaluate the results of MIPPO (minimal invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis) technique for distal tibial metaphyseal fractures. Materials and Methods: It is a retrospective study of 13 patients who were treated by MIPPO technique for distal tibial metaphyseal fractures from Jan. 2001 to Jan. 2003. The average age was 46.7 years and mean follow-up period was 13.3 months. According to AO classification, there were 8 cases of A1, 3 cases of A2, 1 case of B1 and 1 case of C2. One case of A1 was a Gustilo-Anderson type I open fracture and fibular fractures were combined in 12 cases. We applied anatomical reduction and internal fixation for the fibular fractures and internal fixation on the medial side of the tibia by MIPPO technique for distal tibial metaphyseal fractures. Clinical results were evaluated using radiographic results, Neer score, the starting time of postoperative exercise and clinical complications. Results: According to the Neer score, all cases showed satisfactory results. Active ankle ROM was started at average 2.4 weeks ($2{\sim}4$ weeks) and full weight bearing ambulation at average 5.2 weeks ($4{\sim}8$ weeks) postoperatively. Union of fractures was obtained by average 14.4 weeks ($8{\sim}18$ weeks) postoperatively. Two cases showed $5^{\circ}$ limitation of motion without functional deficits and other cases showed satisfactory ROM results. One case had $6^{\circ}$ valgus deformity without functional deficits. There were not any other complications like soft tissue problems and delayed-or non-union. Conclusion: MIPPO technique for the treatment of distal tibial metaphyseal fractures is a feasible technique with a good clinical outcomes.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.151-155
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the frequency and patterns of intra-articular lesions detected during ankle fracture surgery using ankle arthroscopy. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients (31 ankles) who underwent open reduction and internal fixation combined with ankle arthroscopy for acute ankle fracture at Inje University Busan Paik Hospital from June 2011 to September 2013 were evaluated. The ankle fractures were classified according to the AO/OTA (AO Foundation and Orthopaedic Trauma Association) classification and the intraarticular injuries were identified by ankle arthroscopy. Osteochondral lesions of the talus were divided into nine subtypes based on their locations, and the ligament injuries were classified according to avulsion fracture and rupture. Results: Using arthroscopy, abnormality in the distal tibiofibular ligament was found in 21 cases and osteochondral lesions and defects of the talus larger than 5 mm were detected in 26 cases. Among ligament injuries, anterior inferior tibio-fibular ligament injury was found in 14 cases, posterior inferior tibio-fibular ligament injury was found in two cases, deep deltoid ligament injury was found in three cases, and deep transverse tibio-fibular ligament injury was found in five cases. The locations of the osteochondral lesions were on the antero-lateral, antero-medial, centro-medial, centro-central, centro-lateral, and postero-lateral talus in 11, one, two, one, two, and nine cases, respectively. Conclusion: With early diagnosis and treatment arthroscopy performed at the time of intra-articular fracture surgery is expected to result in a good outcome.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.22-26
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• 2011

Purpose: To report the effectiveness of adding distal fibular external rotation stress test on the traditional lateral stress Cotton test in evaluating distal tibiofibular syndesmotic injuries. Materials and Methods: We evaluated syndesmotic injuries with intraoperative stress test during treating ankle fractures from March 2009 to September 2010. External rotation of distal fibula using small elevator was added on traditional stress test in case of suspicious syndesmotic injury. We retrospectively reviewed and compared the results of each test in 44 cases for which we tried both tests. Results: In 9 cases of positive traditional lateral stress tests, positive results were obtained in all cases by additional external rotation tests. In 21 cases of negative traditional stress tests, additional stress tests results were also negative. But there were 10 cases of positive additional tests and 4 of negative additional tests in equivocal results cases by the traditional stress tests. Conclusion: Using additional external rotation stress test in case of equivocal test result by the traditional lateral stress Cotton test for evaluation of syndesmotic injury during operation for ankle fracture can be a supplemental method to clarify syndesmotic injury needs fixation.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 1992

The management of giant cell tumor involving juxta-articular portion has always been a difficult problem. In certain some giant cell tumors with bony destruction, a wide segmental resection may be needed for preventing to recur. But a main problem is preserving of bony continuity in bony defect as well as preservation of joint function. The traditional bone grafts have high incidence in recurrence rate, delayed union, bony resorption, stress fracture despite long immobilization and stiffness of adjuscent joint. We have attemped to overcome these problems by using a microvascular technique to transfer the fibula with peroneal vascular pedicle as a living bone graft. From Apr. 1984 to Nov. 1990, we performed the reconstruction of wide bone defect after segmental resection of giant cell tumor in 4 cases, using Vascularized Fibular Graft, which occur at the distal radius in 3 cases and at the proximal tibia in 1 case. An average follow-up was 2 years 8 months, average bone defect after wide segmental resection of lesion was 11.4cm. These all cases revealed good bony union in average 6.5months, and we got the wide range of motion of adjacent joint without recurrence and serious complications.