Anatomical and preclinicai study of reconstruction of the lateral malleolus with vascularized flboular head graft

Objective To provide an anatomical basis for repairing the defect of the lateral malleolus with vascularized fibular head graft.Methods Figures of fibular head medial and lateral malleolus were measured on 60 adult dry specimens of fibula.An imitative operation was undergone on a fresh specimen of corpse.Results Comparing the figures of the fibula with thods of lateral malleous,the average value of the maximal diameter was (7.3±0.9) cm at fibular head and (6.7±0.6 ) cm at lateral malleolus.The average wideth was (1.4±0.2) cm at articular surface of fibular head and (1.6±0.2) cm at lateral malholus.The average length was (1.5±0.2) cm at articular surface of fibular head and (2.0±0.2) cm at lateral malleo- lus.The average angle was 144°±11°between two articular surfaces of fibular head and 162°±10°between those of lateral malleolus.The average angle was 173°±7°between the axis of fibular head and fibular stem, while 171°±6°between the axis of fibular stem and lateral malleolus.One patient had been undergone the op- eration of repairing the defect of the lateral malleolus with vascularized fibular head graft,curative effect was wonderful.Conclusion Fibular head is similar to lateral malleolus.Vascularized fibular head can be de- signed to repaire the lateral malleolus.