[Stress fracture of free vascularized bone grafts]
M Molski1, A Wielopolski, W Ozonek
1Klinika Chirurgii Plastycznej, Centrum Medycznego Kształcenia Podyplomowego, PSK nr 1 w Warszawie.
Abstract:
Three cases of stress fracture within free vascularized bone graft were found among 35 patients with completed treatment. In 32 years old male stress fracture of free vascularized fibular graft used for tibial reconstruction occurred after a dozen of one (operated) leg hops. In 29 years old female operated due to tibial pseudoarthrosis with free vascularized iliac wing graft the fracture appeared after couple of days of intense walking. In both cases fracture occurred after incorporation of the graft, several months after removal of the external fixator. Pain and swelling of the limb increased over couple of days. In the last case of 25 years old male vascularized fibula transferred to the femur fractured in the presence of external fixator one year after surgery in the course of remodeling of the graft. In all cases X-ray revealed transverse fracture line in the middle of the graft. Plaster cast immobilization has been used in one case only. Graft remodeling with marked hypertrophy was found 4 month later.
