Ipsilateral pedicle vascularized fibula grafts for reconstruction of tibial defects and non-unions

Between October 1983 and August 1998, 31 patients with non-union or bone defect of the tibia have undergone 32 vascularized fibula transfers to reconstruct lower legs. Of these 32 vascularized fibula transfers, there were 19 pedicle transfers from the ipsilateral leg. There were 17 males and two females. The average patient age was 53 (21 to 84) years old. All patients achieved good bone reconstruction. All patients are currently able to walk without a brace, except for one. As to major complications, three of these 19 had delayed union, with only one postoperative fracture. In the cases with delayed union or fractured grafted fibulas, the periods to walking without a brace were longer than in the cases without such major complications. From the results, the ipsilateral pedicle vascularized fibula graft appears to be a useful option for reconstruction of tibial defects.