• 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.

• 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.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.408-410
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• 2008

A four months old, 3.6 kg intact female Miniature Dachshund dog was referred for non-weight bearing lameness at right hind limb due to car accident. On physical examination, the patient was non-weight bearing on the right hind leg and had moderate swelling in the proximal to middle tibia region. There was palpable crepitus. Radiographs revealed a slightly displaced, spiral, oblique fracture involving the proximal diaphyseal region of the right tibia. Fibular fracture was also noted. Internal fixation was performed to repair the fracture. Due to bowed shape of fractured tibia, it was not possible to apply K-wire, containing appropriate diameter ($60{\sim}80%$ of bone marrow diameter) for intramedullary fixation. We fixed the bowed tibia fracture using a smaller diameter (30% of bone marrow diameter) K-wire with cross pins and cerclage wires. Four weeks after the operation, radiographs demonstrated healing of the tibia fracture as well as the fibular fracture.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.699-702
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• 2021

Extensive bone loss associated with severe vascular injury remains a challenge for lower extremity reconstruction. The fibular free flap has been utilized for many decades to reconstruct long-segment tibial defects. We present an unusual scenario of unilateral weight-bearing, wherein we salvaged the sole lower extremity by transfer of the fractured ipsilateral fibula and a bipedicled skin flap. A 38-year-old man sustained a severe crush injury in the right leg with loss of circulation. His left lower leg had a soft tissue defect measuring 20×15 cm with an exposed comminuted fracture and a 17-cm tibial defect, along with a segmental fracture of the fibula. Subsequently, we reconstructed the tibial defect by transferring a 17-cm-long section of the ipsilateral fibula. We covered the soft tissue defect with a bipedicled skin flap. The patient eventually began to ambulate independently after surgery.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.150-155
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was performed to compare the anatomic differences of the fibular incisura of the tibia between ankle fractures with and without syndesmotic injuries. Materials and Methods: 42 patients were involved in this study: Group I was composed with 14 cases of ankle fractures with syndesmotic injuries; Group II was composed with 14 cases of ankle fractures without syndesmotic injuries; Group III was composed with 14 cases of volunteers. The height averaged 170.1 cm (range, $159{\sim}181$ cm) in group I, 168.9 cm (range, $156{\sim}184$ cm) in group II, and 170.4 cm (range, $161{\sim}77$ cm) in group III. The mean height did not show a statistically significant difference between groups (p>0.05). All patients were taken axial computed tomography. The length of anterior and posterior facets, angle between anterior and posterior facet, and depth of the fibular incisura of the tibia were measured. Results: The mean length of the anterior facet was 11.5 mm (range, $9.2{\sim}15.7$ mm) in group I, 12.2 mm (range, $7.3{\sim}17.0$ mm) in group II, and 10.3 mm (range, $8.7{\sim}14.0$ mm) in group III (p>0.05). The mean length of the posterior facet was 12.3 mm (range, $9.0{\sim}14.5$ mm) in group I, 11.0 mm (range, $7.3{\sim}16.2$ mm) in group II, and 13.0 mm (range, $9.2{\sim}15.9$ mm) in group III (p>0.05). The mean angle between anterior and posterior facet was 139.1 degrees (range, $125.5{\sim}154.0$ degrees) in group I, 144.2 degrees (range, $134.7{\sim}152.6$ degrees) in group II, and 131.5 degrees (range, $117.6{\sim}144.4$ degrees) in group III (p<0.05). The mean depth of the fibular incisura of the tibia was 4.1 mm (range, $3.2{\sim}15.8$ mm) in group I, 4.6 mm (range, $3.1{\sim}7.1$ mm) in group II, and 3.1 mm (range, $1.5{\sim}4.0$ mm) in group III (p<0.05). Conclusion: There are some statistical differences of angle between anterior and posterior facet and depth of the fibular incisura of the tibia between ankle fractures with and without syndesmotic injuries.

• 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.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.152-155
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• 2020

Periprosthetic fracture after total elbow replacement surgery is a difficult complication to manage, especially when it comes together with implant loosening. If stem revision and internal fixation of the periprosthetic fracture are performed simultaneously, this would be a very challenging procedure. Most of total elbow replacement implants are cemented type. Cement usage at periprosthetic fracture site may interfere healing of fractured site. Authors underwent internal fixation with use of locking plate and cerclage wire for periprosthetic fracture, allogenous fibular strut bone inserted into the humerus intramedullary canal allowing the fractured site to be more stable without cement usage. At 10-month follow-up, the complete union and good clinical outcome was achieved. We present a novel technique for treating periprosthetic fracture with implant loosening after total elbow replacement surgery, using intramedullary allogenous fibula strut bone graft.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.75-80
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• 2001

Purpose : We have evaluated the morbidity of donor site after transfer of free fibular osseous and osteocutaneous flap to defect site of bone and soft tissue due to chronic osteomyelitis of long tubular bone, open fracture with bony defect, bone or soft tissue tumor and congenital anomaly. Materials and methods : The 54 cases of 79 cases to be carried out from May, 1982 to May, 2001 which could be followed up were reviewed. There were forty nine in male and five in female. The mean age was 35(4 to 66)years old and mean follow up period is 21.3 month(12 to 72). We have retrospectively analyzed the various postoperative complications such as compartment syndrome, donor site infection, skin defect, hypesthesia, hammer toes, ankle instability and activity of daily living by help of questionnaire, telephone, physical examination, follow up x-ray study and chart. Results : In the total 54 cases the medication period for pain control after operation were classified into three groups under 2 weeks(49 cases), from 2 weeks to 6 weeks(3 cases) and over 6 weeks(2 cases). The postoperative morbidity were occurred in total 12 cases(compartment syndrome: 0, infection : 2, skin defect: 1, hypesthesia: 5, hammer toe: 2 ankle pain: 2 discomfort in activity of daily living: 0), and also the morbidity rates of donor site were 23.5% in osseous flap and 21.6% in osteocutaneous flap were occurred. There was no statistical significonce in morbidity between osseous and osteocutaneous free fibular flap transfer(P>0.05). Discussion : In general the morbidity of free fibular flap transfer was relatively high but it did not have any effect on daily activity of living. We think that the meticulous operation technique, detailed wound care and early range of motion exercise will reduce the morbidity of donor site of flap.

• The Academic Congress of Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society
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• 2009.03a
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• pp.202-202
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• 2009

• 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.