• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.26-32
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of limb reconstruction and functional recovery using vascularized fibular graft in the treatment of extensive bone defect of long bone caused by various diseases. Materials and Methods: From september 1995 to March 2005, 21 patients with segmental bone defects were managed with vascularized fibular graft: 13 males and 8 females, aged 39 years on average (range, $8{\sim}65\;years$). The reconstructed site was the humerus in 9 patients, the femur in 5, the tibia in 4 and the forearm bone in 3. The length of bone defect ranged from $8{\sim}17\;cm$. Results: Twenty grafts were successful. The mean period to obtain radiographic bone union was 5.7 months on average. Conclusion: Fibular grafts allow the use of a segment of diaphyseal bone and of sufficient length to reconstruct most skeletal defects of the long bone. The vascularized fibular graft is indicated in patients with intractable nonunions where conventional bone grafting has failed or large bone defects.

• 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.4 no.1
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• pp.43-51
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• 1995

In certain low-grade malignant bone tumors such as chondrosarcoma or frequent recurrent benign bone tumors as ossifying fibroma, radical treatment may provide a good chance for cure. And large bony defect after the radical treatment can be filled with the massive bone graft. Recent advances in clinical microsurgery have made free vascularized bone graft a clinical reality, and Taylor in 1975, first reported the technique of free vascularized fibula graft for the reconstruction of large tibial defect with excellent clinical results. We tried wide excision and free vascularized fibula graft in 5 patients with ossifying fibroma and one patient with chondrosarcoma from January 1984 to December 1994 and followed for more one year. The shortest bony defect was 7cm and the longest bony defect was 20cm and mean bony defect was 13cm. All patients were evaluated clinically and roentgenographycally on basis of functional recovery and bony union. All patients showed satisfactory functional recovery with sound bony union and showed bony hypertrophy. And, local recurrence was not seen.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.171-180
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• 1995

Recently vascularized fibular transfer has been used in the treatment of bone tumor that are more than six centimeter in length. With refinements in microsurgical techniques and understanding of the biological and biomechanical characteristics of vascularized bone graft, the success rate of this procedure was increased. Fifteen bone tumor patients, sixteen cases seen from Apr. 1979 to Jun. 1995 were managed by means of vascularized bone graft at Kyung Hee University Hospital. Ten cases were done intercalary graft and the others were done osteoarticular graft. the ratio of male and female was 6 : 9, and mean age was 20.4 years old at operation. Mean follow up period was 5 years 4 months(range 17 months to 16 years 2 months) and mean graft length was 13.8cm. Duration for union was 5.3 months(range 3 months to 1 year) and over-all rate of union at the last follow up examination was 93.8%. Sufficient hypertrophy of grafted bone was obtained in all cases at the time of last follow up as compared to initial size of grafted bone. Several complications were found such as stress fractures, recurrence. Vascularized fibular transfer for the treatment of bone tumor is a valuable procedure in appropriately selected patients.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.82-95
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• 2023

Upper extremity reconstruction may pose clinical challenges for surgeons due to the often-critical, complex functional demands of the damaged and/or missing structures. The advent of vascularized bone grafts (VBGs) has aided in reconstruction of upper extremity (UE) defects due to their superior regenerative properties compared with nonvascularized bone grafts, ability to reconstruct large bony defects, and multiple donor site options. VBGs may be pedicled or free transfers and have the potential for composite tissue transfers when bone and soft tissue are needed. This article provides a comprehensive up-to-date review of VBGs, the commonly reported donor sites, and their indications for the treatment of specific UE defects.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 1994

It is difficult to obtain a satisfactory bony union of large bone defect secondary to trauma, tumor resection, congenital pseudarthrosis of tibia and bony metaplasia following infection with conventional methods. Conventional nonvascularized autologous bone graft do not provide adequate large amounts of donor bone and usually undergo necrosis or nonunion due to lack of vascular nutrition. Currently, advanced in microsurgery have made it possible to provide a continuing circulation of blood in bone grafts so as to ensure viability. With the nutrient blood supply preserved, healing of the graft to the recipient bone is facilitated without the usual replacement of the graft by creeping substitution. Thus, the grafted bone is achieved more rapid stabilization without sacrificing viability. We reviewed 11 cases of vascularized fibular grafts which were performed from December 1982 to January 1993 and the following results were obtained: 1. Large bone defects with chronic osteomyelitis secondary to trauma were could be successfully treated by the vascularized fibular transfer. 2. In our experience, the vascularized fibular transfer was thought to be one of good methods of treatment for congenital pseudathrosis of tibia. 3. Complete tumor resection was followed by a free vascularized fibular transfer, resulting in good functional improvement, without local recurrence. Long bone defect secondary to bony dysplasia was could be reconstructed by the vascularized fibular transfer. 4. The transferred vascularized fibula had been hypertrophied with bony union during follow-up period and there was no resorption of the grafted fibula.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.6-13
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• 2007

Purpose: To report the clinical results of the vascularized fibular graft in the treatment of intractable infected nonunion of femur. Materials and Methods: We reviewed 3 patients who were performed vascularized fibular graft in treated for intractable infected nonunion of femur. They had received an average of 5.6 times($4{\sim}8\;times$) surgical treatment at different hospitals. 1 case was of a infected nonunion in a fracture treated with internal fixation, the fracture having occurred after resection of a malignant tumor and transplantation of pasteurized autologous bone. 2 cases occurred after internal fixation in closed fractures. Surgical treatment was performed an average of 4 times($3{\sim}5\;times$) at our hospital and in all of the cases debridement of necrotic tissue and sequestrectomy. And vascularized fibular graft was performed. In all cases unilateral external fixation devices were used, of these, 1 case was changed into internal fixation. The final conclusion was made by assessment of functional outcomes and complications according to the standards of Paley. Results: As a result, in all of the cases bone union was achieved, and in the last follow up the functional results were excellent in 2 cases and good in 1 case. There were not presented leg length discrepancy of more than 2 cm, and further loss of knee joint motion. After previous treatment, average 23.3 months($16{\sim}30\;months$) was taken to eliminate infection and achieve complete bone union via vascularized fibular graft in our hospital. Conclusion: In treatment of intractable infected nonunion of femur, fairly good results can be expected after firm fixation, through debridement and vascularized fibular graft.

• 대한미세수술학회:학술대회논문집
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• 1992.11a
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• pp.86-87
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• 1992

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.111-116
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• 2006

An infection after total knee arthroplasty has many complications such as severe bone defect, skin and soft tissue problems, devastated general condition, so arthrodesis is preferred as treatment option. However, poor bony contact due to severe bone defect and inadequate conditions of the soft tissue often cause nonunion or severe limb shortening after arthrodesis. More over these conditions, it is not easy to choose appropriate fixative devices. In these situations, the arthrodesis using vascularized fibular graft can be the solution. Vascularized fibular graft (VFG) can playa role as a suitable material for the treatment of bone defects. And VFG can overcome poor blood circulation caused by scar tissues, and can be relatively more durable and adequate length. In the long term, VFG can be hypertrophied by weight bearing, and will give mechanical stablility. The purpose of the paper is to report the successful results of arthrodesis using VFG in a patient who got extensive bone defect after failed revision total knee arthroplasty with infection.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.68-75
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of the 4+5th extensor compartmental artery pedicled vascularized bone graft in advanced Lichtman stage III Kienbock's disease. Materials and Methods: Eight patients with advanced Lichtman stage III Kienbock's disease who underwent the 4+5th extensor compartmental artery pedicled vascularized bone graft and followed up more than 1 year were analyzed retrospectively. There were 3 men and 5 women. The mean age was 43.6 years old. Two patients were Lichtman stage IIIA and six patients were IIIB. The clinical outcomes were evaluated with radiocarpal joint pain, range of motion, grip strength, carpal-height ratio, radioscaphoid angle, return to daily living activity and/or work. The mean follow up period was 38.5 months (range from 12 to 86 months). Results: On last follow up, the pain was disappeared in 6 patients, and mild occasional pain was remained in 2 patients. Mean radiocarpal joint flexion and extension were 55 degrees and 60 degrees, 87% and 88% of the normal side, respectively. The carpal-height ratio was maintained or improved in 6 patients and slightly decreased in 2 patients. Radioscaphoid angle were improved or maintained in 7 patients. Mean grip strength was 67 lb, 93% of the normal side. All 8 patients returned to daily living activities and/or their previous works. Conclusion: The 4+5th extensor compartmental artery pedicled vascularized bone graft prevented the progression of disease and provided clinical improvement even in advanced Lichtman stage III Kienbock's disease.