Semin Plast Surg 2021; 35(01): 025-030
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1723833
Review Article

Vascularized Scapular Bone Grafting: Indications, Techniques, Clinical Outcomes, and Alternatives

Edward M. Reece
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
2   Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
,
Rebecca C. O'Neill
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
,
Matthew J. Davis
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
2   Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
,
Amjed Abu-Ghname
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
2   Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
,
Alexander E. Ropper
3   Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
,
Michael Bohl
4   Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
,
David S. Xu
3   Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
,
Sebastian J. Winocour
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
› Author Affiliations
Funding None.

Abstract

Spinal fusion can be challenging to obtain in patients with complex spinal pathology. Medial scapular vascularized bone grafts (S-VBGs) are a novel approach to supplement cervicothoracic arthrodesis in patients at high risk of failed spinal fusion. In this article, we discuss the benefits of using VBGs compared with both nonvascularized bone grafts and free vascularized bone flaps and the surgical technique, feasibility, and limitations specific to the S-VBG.



Publication History

Article published online:
10 May 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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