Reconstruction of the humerus by soft tissue distraction and vascularized fibula transfer.
We report a case of reconstruction of the humeral shaft by soft tissue lengthening according to the method of Ilizarov, followed by skeletal reconstruction with a vascularized fibular graft. Skeletal union and initiation of functional activity were achieved within 4 months. Lengthening of the soft tissue and the vascular tree by slow distraction did not compromise the subsequent reconstructive microsurgical procedure.
Jupiter
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JB
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass 02114.
Kour
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AK
D000328:Adult; D001852:Bone Lengthening / Q000379:methods*; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D003286:Contracture / Q000601:surgery; D016267:External Fixators; D005360:Fibula / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors