Vascularized fibula graft for the traumatically induced long-bone defect.

Abstract

Long-bone defects resulting from trauma can be managed with a variety of techniques, including conventional bone grafting, distraction osteogenesis, bone graft substitutes, prosthetic devices, and vascularized bone grafting. Although there is an array of available methods for long-bone reconstruction of bony defects, vascularized bone transfer is particularly useful in large defects (> 6 cm) and in cases in which osteomyelitis and unstable soft-tissue or beds make conventional techniques difficult.