Prophylactic bypass grafting of the prepseudarthrotic tibia in neurofibromatosis

Nine cases of prophylactic bypass grafting of the prepseudarthrotic tibia in neurofibromatosis were reviewed. The age at operation ranged from 0.9 to 9.2 years. The graft used was variously the opposite tibia, autograft rib, allograft fibula, and allograft bone chips in combination with autograft or allograft. All patients were braced postoperatively. Follow-up ranged from 2.9 to 18.8 years. Allograft bone chips resorbed in every case. All autografts and the one fibular allograft united with the tibia. Three tibias required further procedures to obtain union after development of pseudarthrosis, whereas six remained intact.