• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.42-49
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• 2005

Between June 1989 and may 2004 Ipsilateral vascularized fibular transposition was performed on nine patients with segmental tibial defects combined with infection following trauma. Ipsilateral vascularized fibular graft was performed on two or three stage according to the degree of infection. Initially free vascular pedicled graft was done followed by ipsilateral vascularized fibular graft. Type of free flap used is scapular free flap 3 cases, latissimus dorsi free flap 5 cases and dorsalis pedis flap 1 cases. The patients were followed for an average of 3.4 years. the average time to union was 6.7 months, and in all patients the graft healed in spite of complication. Complication was free flap venous thrombosis in 1 cases, persistent infection in 1 cases, delayed bony union at the distal end of fibular graft in 2 cases. The results showed that more faster bony union was seen in which cases firmly internally fixated and more faster hypertrophy of graft in which cases was permitted to ambulate on early weight bearing and more faster healing in which cases debrided more meticulously. Reconstruction of tibia defect with free flap followed by Ipsilateral fibular transposition is a useful and safe method to avoid the potential risk of infection for patients with tibial large bone defect and soft tissue defect associated with infection.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.57-62
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• 2013

Purpose: The aim of this study is to report on the results and discuss the role of free flap followed by ipsilateral vascularized fibular transposition (IVFT) for reconstruction of large bone and soft tissue defect combined with infection by open tibia fracture. Materials and Methods: During the research period, lasting from December 2002 to June 2008 (Kyung Hee University Medical Center), data were collected from three patients who underwent IVFT after free flap. We analyzed the successiveness and persistency of the infection using free flapping, bone union, and hypertrophy between transposed fibula and tibia. Results: Regarding free flap, successive results were observed in all examples. In the final follow-up results, transposed fibulas all survived, having hypertrophy similar to that of adjacent tibia. Conclusion: Reconstruction of tibia defect with free flap followed by IVTF is a useful and safe method for avoidance of the potential risk of infection for patients with a large tibial bone defect and soft tissue defect associated with infection.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.68-74
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• 2008

Segmental defects of the tibia after open fractures, sepsis and a tumor surgery are among the most difficult and challenging clinical problems. Tibia defects in these situations are complicated with infection and are resistant to conventional bone grafting techniques. The aim of this study is to report the results and discuss the role of free flap followed by ipsilateral vascularized fibular transposition (IVFT) for reconstruction of tibia defects. Ten patients had free flap followed by IVFT in the period 1989~2007. Mean age was 25.3 years. The patients were followed for an average of 3.4 years. All flaps were survived including 1 case with venous thrombosis requiring additional surgery. The average time to union of proximal and distal end was 5.2 months, 8.2 months, each other. All transposed fibula were viable at last follow-up. IVFT offers the advantages of a vascularized graft. In patients with large bone and soft tissue defects combined with infection, free flap followed by IVFT is an useful and reliable method without microvascular anastomosis.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.157-164
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• 1998

It has been very difficult to managing partial joint defect in any etiologies, especially in children. Unicondylar defect of the tibial condyle in children reconstructed with proximal fibular head with articular cartilage from 1995. Two kinds of transfering methods were used, peroneal artery pedicled ipsilateral fibula head transposition to defective lateral tibial condyle defect that revealed poor prognosis with gradual absorption of transposed fibular epiphysis. Free vascularized fibular head transplantation with microvascular anastomosis underwent in the case with medial condyle defect of tibia which revealed very satisfactory results. Author can conclude with these clinical experiences: 1. Tranposition without epiphyseal vesssels intact is not sufficient in fibular head osteochondral transplantation in reconstruction of tibial condyle defect. That means peroneal arterial vascular pedicle is not enough for transplanted proximal epiphysis maintains its function on articular surface and growth activity in children. 2. The anterior recurrent tibial artery is one of the most important and easy to utilizing vessel in proximal fibular epiphyseal transplantation. 3. Free vascularized fibular head transplantation is hopeful method in reconstruction of the knee joint in the patient with partial joint defect which has no effective solution in conventional methods.