Reconstruction of traumatic tubular bone defects using vascularized fibular graft

Abstract

Large segmental bone defects due to major trauma constitute a major challenge for the orthopaedic surgeon, especially when combined with poor or lost soft tissue envelope. Vascularized fibular transfer is considered as the gold standard for the reconstruction of such defects of the extremities due to its predictable vascular pedicle, long cylindrical shape, and tendency to hypertrophy, and resistance to infection. Vascularized bone grafts remain viable throughout the healing period and are capable of inducing rapid graft union without prolonged creeping substitution, osteogenesis and hypertrophy at the reconstruction site, and fight with infection. The fibular graft can be transferred solely, or as a composite flap including muscle, subcutaneous tissue, skin and even a nerve segment in order to reconstruct both bone and soft tissue components of the injury at single stage operation. Such a reconstruction can even be performed in the presence of local infection, since vascularized bone and adjacent soft tissue components enhances the blood flow at the traumatized zone, allowing for the delivery of antibiotics and immune components to the infection site. In an effort to preserve growth potential in pediatric patients; the fibular head and proximal growth plate can be included to the graft. This practice also enables to reconstruct the articular ends of various bones, including distal radius and proximal ulna. Apart from defect reconstruction, vascularized fibular grafts also proved to be a reliable in treating atrophic nonunions, reconstruction of osteomyelitic bone segments. These grafts are superior to alternative reconstructive techniques, as bone grafts with intrinsic blood supply lead to higher success rates in reconstruction and accelerate the repair process at the injury site in cases where blood supply to the injury zone is defective, poor soft tissue envelope, and local infection at the trauma zone.

Keywords: Bone defect; Complications; Reconstruction; Trauma; Vascularized fibular graft.