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The free vascularised fibular transfer as a definitive treatment in femoral septic non‐unions
Author(s) -
nenmacher J.,
Bahm J.,
Moui Y.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
microsurgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.031
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1098-2752
pISSN - 0738-1085
DOI - 10.1002/micr.1920160607
Subject(s) - medicine , nonunion , surgery , iliac crest , fibula , bone grafting , bone healing , tibia
Free vascularised bone transfer (fibula, iliac crest, or rib) is an accepted method of bone grafting in malignant and nonunion bone surgery. The vascular microanastomoses have transformed the bone healing by creeping substitution seen after non‐vascularised grafting (a long and often insufficient process) into normal healing of the fracture site. The presence of its own vascular support allows bone healing in such compromised circumstances as sclerosis and infection. We present the clinical history of five patients with septic femoral non‐unions, in which only the final vascular fibular graft provided an acceptable outcome. Discussion about the indication and timing of this microsurgical salvage procedure is still controversial. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.