ABSTRACT
Reconstruction after intercalary excision of tibia malignancy is challenging. The
combined use of a vascularized fibular flap and allograft can provide a reliable reconstructive
option. Eight patients underwent reconstruction with an allograft and vascularized
fibula following tibia malignancy resection. Patients were examined clinically and
radiographically. The average age of patients was 16.5 years. The mean follow-up time
was 38.4 months. Contralateral free fibula flap was used in three patients and ipsilateral
pedicle fibula in five. The average length of defect was 11.8 cm and of fibula flap
was 15.9 cm. Primary union was achieved in seven patients. The average time for bone
union was 5.8 months at fibula-tibia junction and 14.1 months at allograft-tibia junction.
Five patients had 10 complications. The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society average score
was 90.8% at final follow-up. Intramedullary fibular flap in combination with massive
allografts provide an excellent option for reconstruction of large bony defects after
tibial malignancy extirpation. Ipsilateral pedicle fibula transportation had the advantages
of short operation time and avoidance of donor site complications compared with the
contralateral free fibula transfer.
KEYWORDS
Vascularized fibula - allograft - tibial malignancy
REFERENCES
- 1 Malawer M, Sugarbaker P H. Musculoskeletal Cancer Surgery: Treatment of Sarcoma
and Allied Diseases. Dordrecht, the Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers; 2001
- 2
Weber K L.
What's new in musculoskeletal oncology.
J Bone Joint Surg Am.
2005;
87
1400-1410
- 3 Hornicek F J. Bone sarcomas: principles of surgical management. In UpToDate, 2005
- 4
Brien E W, Terek R M, Healey J H, Lane J M.
Allograft reconstruction after proximal tibial resection for bone tumors. An analysis
of function and outcome comparing allograft and prosthetic reconstructions.
Clin Orthop Relat Res.
1994;
303
116-127
- 5
Muscolo D L, Ayerza M A, Aponte-Tinao L, Farfalli G.
Allograft reconstruction after sarcoma resection in children younger than 10 years
old.
Clin Orthop Relat Res.
2008;
466
1856-1862
- 6
Ramseier L E, Malinin T I, Temple H T, Mnaymneh W A, Exner G U.
Allograft reconstruction for bone sarcoma of the tibia in the growing child.
J Bone Joint Surg Br.
2006;
88
95-99
- 7
Muscolo D L, Ayerza M A, Aponte-Tinao L, Ranalletta M, Abalo E.
Intercalary femur and tibia segmental allografts provide an acceptable alternative
in reconstructing tumor resections.
Clin Orthop Relat Res.
2004;
426
97-102
- 8
Kiral A, Pehlivan O, Cilli F, Akmaz I, Rodop O, Solakoglu C.
Reconstruction of intercalary gap after wide surgical resection of adamantinoma of
the tibia.
Orthopedics.
2008;
31
1143
- 9
Moore J R, Weiland A J, Daniel R K.
Use of free vascularized bone grafts in the treatment of bone tumors.
Clin Orthop Relat Res.
1983;
175
37-44
- 10
Brigman B E, Hornicek F J, Gebhardt M C, Mankin H J.
Allografts about the knee in young patients with high-grade sarcoma.
Clin Orthop Relat Res.
2004;
421
232-239
- 11
Donati D, Di Liddo M, Zavatta M et al..
Massive bone allograft reconstruction in high-grade osteosarcoma.
Clin Orthop Relat Res.
2000;
377
186-194
- 12
Cara J A, Laclériga A, Cañadell J.
Intercalary bone allografts. 23 tumor cases followed for 3 years.
Acta Orthop Scand.
1994;
65
42-46
- 13
Minami A, Kutsumi K, Takeda N, Kaneda K.
Vascularized fibular graft for bone reconstruction of the extremities after tumor
resection in limb-saving procedures.
Microsurgery.
1995;
16
56-64
- 14
Mankin H J, Gebhardt M C, Jennings L C, Springfield D S, Tomford W W.
Long-term results of allograft replacement in the management of bone tumors.
Clin Orthop Relat Res.
1996;
324
86-97
- 15
Hsu R WW, Wood M B, Sim F H, Chao E YS.
Free vascularised fibular grafting for reconstruction after tumour resection.
J Bone Joint Surg Br.
1997;
79
36-42
- 16
Ihara K, Doi K, Yamamoto M, Kawai S.
Free vascularized fibular grafts for large bone defects in the extremities after tumor
excision.
J Reconstr Microsurg.
1998;
14
371-376
- 17
Gidumal R, Wood M B, Sim F H, Shives T C.
Vascularized bone transfer for limb salvage and reconstruction after resection of
aggressive bone lesions.
J Reconstr Microsurg.
1987;
3
183-188
- 18
Berrey Jr B H, Lord C F, Gebhardt M C, Mankin H J.
Fractures of allografts. Frequency, treatment, and end-results.
J Bone Joint Surg Am.
1990;
72
825-833
- 19
Mankin H J, Springfield D S, Gebhardt M C, Tomford W W.
Current status of allografting for bone tumors.
Orthopedics.
1992;
15
1147-1154
- 20
Thompson Jr R C, Pickvance E A, Garry D.
Fractures in large-segment allografts.
J Bone Joint Surg Am.
1993;
75
1663-1673
- 21
Ortiz-Cruz E, Gebhardt M C, Jennings L C, Springfield D S, Mankin H J.
The results of transplantation of intercalary allografts after resection of tumors.
A long-term follow-up study.
J Bone Joint Surg Am.
1997;
79
97-106
- 22
San-Julian M, Cañadell J.
Fractures of allografts used in limb preserving operations.
Int Orthop.
1998;
22
32-36
- 23
Enneking W F, Campanacci D A.
Retrieved human allografts: a clinicopathological study.
J Bone Joint Surg Am.
2001;
83-A
971-986
- 24
Chew W YC, Low C K, Tan S K.
Long-term results of free vascularized fibular graft. A clinical and radiographic
evaluation.
Clin Orthop Relat Res.
1995;
311
258-261
- 25
O'Brien B M, Gumley G J, Dooley B J, Pribaz J J.
Folded free vascularized fibula transfer.
Plast Reconstr Surg.
1988;
82
311-318
- 26
El-Gammal T A, El-Sayed A, Kotb M M.
Microsurgical reconstruction of lower limb bone defects following tumor resection
using vascularized fibula osteoseptocutaneous flap.
Microsurgery.
2002;
22
193-198
- 27
Pollock R, Stalley P, Lee K, Pennington D.
Free vascularized fibula grafts in limb-salvage surgery.
J Reconstr Microsurg.
2005;
21
79-84
- 28
Croce F, Risorto M, Coviello M, Di Maggio B, Galluzzi V, Monteleone P.
Vascularised fibula transplant. Technique, early results, indications and limitations.
Ital J Orthop Traumatol.
1986;
12
447-454
- 29
Capanna R, Bufalini C, Campanacci C.
A new technique for reconstruction of large metadiaphyseal bone defects: a combined
graft (allograft shell plus vascularized fibula).
Orthop Traumatol.
1993;
2
159-177
- 30
Ceruso M, Falcone C, Innocenti M, Delcroix L, Capanna R, Manfrini M.
Skeletal reconstruction with a free vascularized fibula graft associated to bone allograft
after resection of malignant bone tumor of limbs.
Handchir Mikrochir Plast Chir.
2001;
33
277-282
- 31
Chang D W, Weber K L.
Segmental femur reconstruction using an intercalary allograft with an intramedullary
vascularized fibula bone flap.
J Reconstr Microsurg.
2004;
20
195-199
- 32
Chang D W, Weber K L.
Use of a vascularized fibula bone flap and intercalary allograft for diaphyseal reconstruction
after resection of primary extremity bone sarcomas.
Plast Reconstr Surg.
2005;
116
1918-1925
- 33
Moran S L, Shin A Y, Bishop A T.
The use of massive bone allograft with intramedullary free fibular flap for limb salvage
in a pediatric and adolescent population.
Plast Reconstr Surg.
2006;
118
413-419
- 34
Innocenti M, Abed Y Y, Beltrami G, Delcroix L, Manfrini M, Capanna R.
Biological reconstruction after resection of bone tumors of the proximal tibia using
allograft shell and intramedullary free vascularized fibular graft: long-term results.
Microsurgery.
2009;
29
361-372
- 35
Ozaki T, Hillmann A, Wuisman P, Winkelmann W.
Reconstruction of tibia by ipsilateral vascularized fibula and allograft. 12 cases
with malignant bone tumors.
Acta Orthop Scand.
1997;
68
298-301
- 36
Enneking W F, Dunham W, Gebhardt M C, Malawar M, Pritchard D J.
A system for the functional evaluation of reconstructive procedures after surgical
treatment of tumors of the musculoskeletal system.
Clin Orthop Relat Res.
1993;
286
241-246
- 37
O'Flanagan S J, Stack J P, McGee H M, Dervan P, Hurson B.
Imaging of intramedullary tumour spread in osteosarcoma. A comparison of techniques.
J Bone Joint Surg Br.
1991;
73
998-1001
- 38
Fuchs B, Ossendorf C, Leerapun T, Sim F H.
Intercalary segmental reconstruction after bone tumor resection.
Eur J Surg Oncol.
2008;
34
1271-1276
- 39
Hornicek F J, Gebhardt M C, Tomford W W et al..
Factors affecting nonunion of the allograft-host junction.
Clin Orthop Relat Res.
2001;
382
87-98
- 40
Taylor G I, Miller G D, Ham F J.
The free vascularized bone graft. A clinical extension of microvascular techniques.
Plast Reconstr Surg.
1975;
55
533-544
- 41
Zaretski A, Amir A, Meller I et al..
Free fibula long bone reconstruction in orthopedic oncology: a surgical algorithm
for reconstructive options.
Plast Reconstr Surg.
2004;
113
1989-2000
- 42
de Boer H H, Wood M B.
Bone changes in the vascularised fibular graft.
J Bone Joint Surg Br.
1989;
71
374-378
- 43
Fuchs B, O'Connor M I, Padgett D J, Kaufman K R, Sim F H.
Arthrodesis of the shoulder after tumor resection.
Clin Orthop Relat Res.
2005;
436
202-207
- 44
Vander Griend R A.
The effect of internal fixation on the healing of large allografts.
J Bone Joint Surg Am.
1994;
76
657-663
- 45
Abed Y Y, Beltrami G, Campanacci D A, Innocenti M, Scoccianti G, Capanna R.
Biological reconstruction after resection of bone tumours around the knee: long-term
follow-up.
J Bone Joint Surg Br.
2009;
91
1366-1372
- 46
Chacha P B, Ahmed M, Daruwalla J S.
Vascular pedicle graft of the ipsilateral fibula for non-union of the tibia with a
large defect. An experimental and clinical study.
J Bone Joint Surg Br.
1981;
63-B
244-253
- 47
Carnesale P L, Guerrieri A G.
Fibular transplant for loss of substance of tibia; report of a case.
J Bone Joint Surg Am.
1955;
37-A
204-206
- 48
Campanacci M, Zanoli S.
Double tibiofibular synostosis (fibula pro tibia) for nonunion and delayed union of
the tibia: end-result review of one hundred seventy-one cases.
J Bone Joint Surg Am.
1966;
48
44-56
- 49
Friedlaender G E, Tross R B, Doganis A C et al..
Effect of chemotherapeutic agent on bone. I. Short-term methotrexate and doxorubicin
(Adriamycin) treatment in a rat model.
J Bone Joint Surg Am.
1984;
66
602-607
- 50
Friedrich J B, Moran S L, Bishop A T, Wood C M, Shin A Y.
Free vascularized fibular graft salvage of complications of long-bone allograft after
tumor reconstruction.
J Bone Joint Surg Am.
2008;
90
93-100
Jing LiM.D.
Department of Orthopaedic Oncology
Xi Jing Hospital Affiliated to the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032,
P. R. China
Email: ljfmmu@sina.com