J Reconstr Microsurg 1993; 9(3): 227-232
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1006649
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1993 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Fracture Through United Vascularized Bone Grafts

Akio Minami, Takumi Kimura, Osamu Matsumoto, Keiji Kutsumi
  • Microsurgical Unit, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted for publication 1993

Publication Date:
08 March 2008 (online)

ABSTRACT

The secondary fracture rate in 53 patients undergoing vascularized bone transfer for long-bone reconstruction, with a follow-up period of at least 2 years, is evaluated in this report. Twelve fractures occurred in 10 patients. Characteristics of the fractures were: (1) most occurred at the tibia recipient site; (2) most occurred through the transferred vascularized bone segment, rather than at its junctions; and (3) all fractures occurred within 1 year following bone union. When the fracture occurred in adults, union was relatively easily obtained by application of simple external fixation; on the other hand, union was difficult to obtain in patients with congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia.