Vascularized bone transfer for limb salvage and reconstruction after resection of aggressive bone lesions

At our institution from 1980 to 1985, 30 patients underwent resection of malignant or locally aggressive bone tumors, with limb salvage and reconstruction by free vascularized bone grafts. Of the 26 patients followed up for at least four months (average, 21 months), four had complications. In these four, there were three nonunions, two infections, and one stress fracture. The average duration of immobilization was 7.6 months in the lower extremity, five months in the pelvis, and 3.8 months in the upper extremity. The average time to union was 6.3 months in the lower extremity, five months in the pelvis, and five months in the upper extremity. Although the technique of oncologic reconstruction must be individualized, our experience indicates that vascularized bone grafts offer significant advantages over conventional methods in selected patients.