The Vascularized Medial Femoral Corticoperiosteal Flap for Reconstruction of Bony Defects within the Upper and Lower Extremities

ABSTRACT

The periosteum of the medial femoral condyle and supracondylar region is supplied by branches of the descending genicular artery and can be harvested as a corticoperiosteal free flap with or without cancellous bone. This flap offers an alternative to other types of vascularized bone grafts providing a thin and pliable sheet of osteogenic tissue that can be transferred to sites of problematic fracture nonunions. The highly osteogenic nature of the periosteum combined with its excellent vascularity after microvascular or pedicled transfer achieves a high success rate in treating difficult nonunions where conventional bone grafts have either failed or are not suitable. Donor-site morbidity is minimal. This article provides an overview of the anatomic basis, indications, and operative technique for the use of this flap.

KEYWORDS

Vascularized periosteal graft - medial femoral condyle - nonunion - free flap

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