Effects of vascularized bone graft on surrounding necrotic bone: an experimental study

Several difficult problems arise in the treatment of necrotic bone disorders such as femoral head necrosis or Kienböck's disease for which no definitive treatment as yet exists. The recent literature has recommended vascularized bone transfers as suitable for these disorders, but there have been few experimental studies done and resulting effects are still currently obscure. Using a rabbit model, the effects of vascularized bone graft on the surrounding necrotic bone were analyzed. Results suggest that the periosteal muscle cuff remains as fibrous or fatty tissue and interferes with the bony union between the graft and the host bone; the graft was found to be gradually resorbed. The main function of the procedure appears to be the provision of vessels into avascular bone.