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Updated: Jun 14, 2026
Surgical Angiogenesis in Porcine Tibial Allotransplantation: A New Large Animal Bone Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation Model
Published on: August 13, 2017
[Free vascularised iliac bone graft for Kienböck's disease stage III]
R Arora1, M Lutz, R Zimmermann
1Universitätsklinik für Unfallchirurgie und Sporttraumatologie. rohit.arora@uki.at
Purpose:
The aim of this retrospective study is to report the clinical and radiological long-term results (follow-up >10 years) after revascularisation of the lunate in Kienböck's disease using a free vascularised iliac bone graft in patients with Lichtman stage III disease.
Patients And Methods:
23 patients (14 male, 9 female) aged between 17 and 43 years were treated with a free vascularised iliac bone graft. The average follow-up time was 13 (10-15) years. Assessment included active range of wrist motion, grip strength, level of pain, patient disability and functional outcome measured by the DASH questionnaire as well as the Green and O'Brien score. Radiological evaluation included Ståhl index, Youm carpal height index, radioscaphoidal angle, radiolunate angle and integration of the free vascularised bone graft. All long-term results were compared to the preoperative state.
Results:
In 20 of 23 patients definite osteointegration of the vascularised bone graft was achieved. The average extension-flexion arc increased from 75 degrees to 100 degrees postoperatively and the average ulnar-radial deviation arc increased from 35 degrees to 45 degrees . The grip strength improved from 45 kg to 65 kg postoperatively and the pain level decreased from 65 to 6. Radiologically the average Ståhl index improved to 0.44 (preoperative 0.33), the average Youm index to 0.54 (preoperative 0.51) and the average radioscaphoidal angle to 50 degrees (preoperative 46 degrees ). The mean DASH score was 14.2. The Green and O'Brien score showed 11 (48%) excellent, 5 (22%) good, 4 (17%) fair und 3 (13%) bad results. 3 patients presented with a resorption of the bone graft with ongoing radiological progression of Lichtman stage, reduced range of motion and high pain level.
Conclusions:
Free vascularised iliac bone grafts for Kienböck's disease is a reasonable treatment option and the clinical and radiological improvements last for a long period of time. Long-term restoration of carpal height was demonstrated. Progression of disease was prevented in 87% (20 of 23) of patients over a mean time of 13 years. In our hands this technique remains the best option for the treatment of Kienböck's disease stage III.
