Folded Free Vascularized Fibular Bone Graft for Segmental Femoral Bone Defect: a Retrospective Report

Abstract ObjectiveVascularized fibular bone graft is an efficient method for various segmental bone defects. The objective of this report is to introduce our experience of folded free vascularized fibular bone graft for segmental femoral bone defect.Patients and methodsClinical data collected by surgeons and Hospital Information System (HIS) system were screened respectively. Cases with segmental femoral bone defect repaired by folded free vascularized fibular bone graft were collected. Clinical data including demographic characteristics, defect size, coinfection, perioperative treatment and imaging data during follow up were all collected for analysis.ResultsTwelve patients (10 males and 2 females), aged from 6 to 58, were included in this report. The defect range was 3 to 10 cm, with an average of 6.2 cm. Three cases were complicated with infection, the others were not. Folded free vascularized fibular bone graft were harvested for the reconstruction of segmental femoral bone defect. The grafts were fixed with plates in 9 cases and external fixators in 3 cases. All grafts healed uneventfully with an average healing time of 5.2 months (range 4~8 months). Internal fixation failure occurred in one case. The follow up time ranged from 15 to 130 months (average 58.3 months).ConclusionFolded free fibula graft is one of the optional methods for segmental bone defect of femur. Through this method, patients can achieve one-time operation to reconstruct the bone defect of the affected limb.