Congenital pseudarthrosis of the forearm: treatment of six cases with vascularized fibular graft and a review of the literature.

Abstract

Six cases of pseudarthrosis of the forearm are reported. One involved only the radius, one the ulna alone, and four both forearm bones. There was associated neurofibromatosis in five cases. All the cases were treated by wide resection and free vascularized fibular graft. In two cases, a single-bone forearm was created. In all cases, good results were achieved, with moderate forearm shortening. The literature suggests electrical stimulation, corticoperiosteal graft, osteotomy of the involved bone, and free vascularized bone grafting as treatment alternatives. Vascularized free bone grafting appears to be more successful than other treatments. The use of microsurgical sutures permits this treatment in young patients.