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The free vascularized fibular graft for bridging large skeletal defects of the upper extremity
Author(s) -
Soucacos Panayotis N.,
Korompilias Anastasios V.,
Vekris Marios D.,
Zoubos Aristides,
Beris Alexandros E.
Publication year - 2011
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.20862
Subject(s) - medicine , microsurgery , fibula , bridging (networking) , surgery , free flap , upper limb , radiography , tibia , computer network , computer science
Large skeletal defects of the upper extremity pose a serious clinical problem with potentially deleterious effects on both function and viability of the limb. Recent advances in the microsurgical techniques involved in free vascularized bone transfers for complex limb injuries have dramatically improved limb salvage and musculoskeletal reconstruction. This study evaluates the clinical and radiographic results of 18 patients who underwent reconstruction of large defects of the long bones of the upper extremity with free vascularized fibular bone grafts. Mean patient age was 27 years (7−43 years) and mean follow‐up was 4 years (1−10 years). The results confirm the value of vascularized fibular grafts for bridging large bone defects in the upper extremity. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 2011.