Case reports: lengthening of a vascularized free fibular graft.

Courvoisier, Aurélien; Sailhan, Frédéric; Mary, Pierre; Damsin, Jean-Paul · Clin Orthop Relat Res · 2009

case_series · Level IV

Where this comes from

Abstract

Wide bone resection is sometimes necessary for bone tumors, and reconstruction is a major challenge. Vascularized fibular graft is one alternative but may result in progressive limb-length discrepancy (LLD) in children with substantial growth left. Progressive distraction lengthening with an external fixator is now a standard procedure to generally correct LLD. However, lengthening of free vascularized fibular grafts for lower limb reconstruction has not been reported frequently and then only in small series or case reports. We report our experience with three patients with lengthening after tibial reconstruction with a free vascularized fibular graft and review the literature.

Medical subject headings

Anatomy