[Growth potential of vascularized epiphyseal bone transplants. Experimental and clinical study]

The objectives of this work were to evaluate, in the light of experimental results, the growth potential of vascularized fertile epiphyseal bone transplants transferred with their surrounding soft tissues in children. Thirty-one toe transfers were available for analysis from the series performed in Trousseau hospital (Paris). The results were reviewed with the unique goal of the study of growth. Transferred toes grow in an almost identical fashion to normal toes. The slightly diminished growth difference found was in accordance with experimental results. Criteria for determining the growth of these transfers must be very strict from a clinical as well as from a radiological point of view. The possibility of transfer of an isolated epiphyseal growth cartilage implies previous elaborate studies of the anatomy of epiphyseal vascularity as well as the physiology of intraosseous blood flow. Restoration of this potential for growth in children should be attempted as early as possible.