• 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.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.

• 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.12 no.2
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• pp.93-98
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• 2003

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to investigate an occurrence of valgus deformity of ankle joint after vascularized fibular graft in children. Materials and Methods : Four children under 15 years who were surgically treated with vascularized fibular graft were studied. The age of the patients was from 4 years to 13 years, the follow-up period was from 24 months to 108 months. The causes of vascularized fibular graft were open fracture (1 case), congenital psuedarthrosis (2 cases), hypoplastic ulna (1 case). The tibiofibular synostosis was done in 3 cases and not in 1 case. We measured the tibiotalar angle and bimalleolar angle at immediately postoperative and final radiography, and checked ankle motion, pain, and instability of ankle joint. Results : The A-P mortise angle was not different between initial and final radiography in all cases. The intermalleolar angle increased in all cases at the final radiography. There were no pain, instability and limitation of ankle motion. Conclusion: We consider the tibiofibular synostosis can prevent from ankle valgus deformity after vascularized fibular graft in children.

• 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.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.9 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2000

Nonunion and avascular necrosis are well-recognized complications of severe ankle injury especially aftrer talar neck fracture. The treatment of avascular necrosis is controversial and methods of treatment are limited. Many modalities have been introduced for the treatment of avascular necrosis of talus. The prolonged non-weight bearing for 2~3 years is not practical but also is occasionally complicated by late segmental collapse. Operative treatment includes tibiotalar arthrodesis and talectomy with tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis, but arthrodesis in patients with talar avascular necrosis is technically demanding and cause stiff, immobile foot and relatively high failure rate was reported. It is desirable to preserve their original joint if possible. Vascularized fibular grafting has been reported as a joint preserving treatment option for osteonecrosis of the hip but has not been described for the ankle. The authors applied free vascularized fibular grafts for 3 cases of avascular necrosis of talus. We observed evidences of revascularization of necrotic talar body and progression of fracture healing and obtained satisfactory results at mean 8 months of follow-up. Vascularized fibular grafting is one of the better alternatives for treating avascular necrosis of talus. It is expected that vascularized fibular grafting can prevent the necrotic talar dome from progressing to collapse and promote directly restored vascularization and new bone formation.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.27-36
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• 2000

February 1995 to September 1999, authors have experienced seven cases of infected nonunion of tibial fractures with associated soft tissue injury and skin defect, and have accomplished union in all cases by free vascularized fibular graft. All grafts healed with no radiographic evidence of bone necrosis or resorption and have been able to treat large bony defect and skin defect simultaneously. In this study, five cases of vascularized free fibular osteocutaneous flap transfer and two cases of free fibular graft are reported. All of seven cases were infected nonunion of tibia. The results were obtained as follows 1) The mean duration of the radiologic bone union was average 5.3months. 2) Grafted fibular has been hypertrophied, average 10.6 months. 3) In five cases of preservation of posterior cortex of tibia, bony union and hypertrophy of grafted bone were earlier than that two cases of complete segmental resection of tibia. 4) In two cases which only free vascularized fibular graft were performed because achievement of cutaneous flap was failed, authors found that soft tissue defect was filled with granulation tissue and split-thickness skin graft was possible over the granulation tissue after 3 weeks postoperatively.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.134-138
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• 2000

Arthrodesis of the ankle joint is inevitable in the cases of severe arthrosis or defective bony structures around ankle joint. There have been many kinds of arthrodesis methods were introduced. In cases with failed athrodesis with previous arthrodesis surgery and neuropathic joints have difficulty to achieve fusion of joint with conventional methods. Authors underwent four cases of ankle fusion with vascularized fibular graft from 1997 in the cases of three failed fusions and one diabetic neuropatic joint. Two of four performed free vascularized fibular transplantation from contralateral side leg with microvascular anastomosis, two of four performed with pedicled fibular transposition to the ankle joint in same side leg. Three of four cases achieved arthrodesis average 9.2 months after surgery, one case was failed due to vascular thrombosis of the anastomosed site in diabetic neuropathic condition. The result of this technique revealed 75%(three of four) success rate and longer bone union time required. However, in these cases had no recommendable options with conventional bone graft and additional ankle joint fusions procedure because of poor bone quality and defect of distal tibia and talus portions. Free vascualrized fibular transfer to the failed athrodesis of ankle joint is one of the effective alternative methods in failed ankle fusion cases, especially the quality of the bone around previous fusion site is poor.

• 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.