Abstract
Background The cuboid bone (CB) of the foot has been suggested as a potential source of autologous
reconstruction of the distal radius (DR). This study sought to examine the feasibility
of harvesting the CB as a vascularized bone transfer for DR reconstruction.
Purposes We evaluated the feasibility of a vascularized bone transfer of the CB by performing
the flap dissection, analyzing its pedicle and demonstrating its perfusion using indocyanine
green (ICG) fluorescence angiography.
Materials and Methods Ten feet from five fresh-frozen cadaver specimens were dissected. The lateral tarsal
artery (LTA) mean diameter, length, and emerging point were described. The CB mean
length and the mean length of the bone segment harvested were reported. ICG injection
was used to demonstrate its blood supply.
Results The average length of the pedicle was 68.26 ± 3.12 mm. The mean diameter was 1.43 ± 0.15 mm.
The CB had a mean anterior–posterior length of 40.81 ± 5.05 mm. The harvested bone
had a mean length of 15.05 ± 2.03 mm. All CBs showed enhancement after ICG injection.
Conclusion The CB presented reasonable anatomical similarities with the DR and a long and consistent
pedicle with an adequate blood supply observed during ICG injection.
Clinical Relevance This study supports the possibility of using the CB as a vascularized bone transfer
for autologous reconstruction of the articular surface of the DR. Further study is
warranted.
Keywords
distal radius reconstruction - cuboid bone flap - distal radioulnar joint - reconstructive
surgery - microsurgery
