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Free vascularized fibula grafts for salvage of failed oncologic long bone reconstruction and pathologic fractures
Author(s) -
Friedrich Jeffrey B.,
Moran Stephen L.,
Bishop Allen T.,
Shin Alexander Y.
Publication year - 2009
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.20624
Subject(s) - medicine , fibula , surgery , microsurgery , salvage therapy , free flap , tibia , chemotherapy
Vascularized bone grafts, particularly the free fibula transfer, have incited revolutionary changes in the field of skeletal reconstruction. In no place has this been more evident than in oncologic reconstruction. The free vascularized fibula graft has been used to good effect for primary long‐bone reconstruction, long‐bone allograft complication salvage, and pathologic fracture salvage of the long bones. Although many of these procedures often entail significant complications, limb salvage has been made possible in a majority of patients using transfers of free vascularized fibula grafts. The purpose of this review is to critically evaluate the technique of onlay free vascularized fibula grafts for salvage of allograft complications and pathologic fractures of the long bones. This will be accomplished by reviewing the problem of allograft complications and pathologic fractures, the current treatment modalities available, the outcomes of these treatments, and future directions of treatment for this particular problem. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2009.