Free vascularized fibular graft reconstruction of large skeletal defects after tumor resection

Skeletal reconstruction of large tumor resection defects is challenging. Free vascularized fibular transfer offers the potential for rapid autograft incorporation in limbs compromised by adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation. We retrospectively reviewed 30 patients treated with free vascularized fibular graft reconstruction of large skeletal defects after tumor resections (mean defect length, 14.8 cm). The minimum followup was 2 years (mean, 4.9 years; range, 2-15 years). One patient died with liver and lung metastases at 3 years postoperatively. Loss of limb occurred in one patient. Five patients either had metastatic disease (one patient) or had metastatic disease (four patients) develop after treatment, with a mean time to metastasis of 18 months. The overall complication rate was 16 of 30 (53%), with a reoperation rate of 12 of 30 (40%). Union was attained in all 30 grafts. Primary union was attained in 23 (77%) at a mean of 6 months. Secondary union was achieved in seven (23%) after revision fixation and bone grafting; the mean subsequent time to union was 9.2 months, with an index of 1.33 additional operations per patient. Graft fracture (20%) and infection (10%) were other common complications. Despite a high complication rate, free vascularized fibular graft reconstruction offers a reliable treatment of large skeletal defects after tumor resection without increased risk of limb loss, local recurrence, or tumor metastasis.

Level IV, case series. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.