Grafting of vascularized fibula and ilium to repair bone defects of limbs

Objective To study the clinical results of grafting of vascularized fibular and ilium to repair bone defects of limbs. Methods From January 1992 to January 2004, 49 cases of bone defects of limbs were treated with vascularized fibular grafting (33 cases) and vascularized iliac grafting (16 cases). Their limb functions were graded according to Ennekings system. The changes of the vascularized fibular and iliac grafts were evaluated radiographically according to the International Symposium on Limb Salvage. Results All the patients were followed up for 1 to 12 years. In the vascularized fibular group, the recovery rate for the operated limbs was 82.7%, the average healing time of the bone was 16.8 weeks and the healing rate of the bone was 87.9%. In the other group, the recovery rate of the operated limbs was 88%, the average healing time of the bone was 15.2 weeks and the healing rate of the bone was 93.8%. Conclusion The vascularized fibular graft can be adopted to repair long bone defects of lower limbs and distal radius, while the vascularized iliac graft can be adopted to repair the bone defects of upper limbs.