title: Use of a bone block graft from the iliac crest with rigid fixation to correct diaphyseal defects of the radius and ulna.
abstract: We report our experience with the use of a bone block graft from the iliac crest to correct diaphyseal defects of the forearm bones. The technique was used in 12 patients (ten men and two women, average age 29 years) for defects resulting mainly from either closed or compound fractures, which later developed infection and bone tissue loss. The average dimensions of the graft required to correct the defect was 3.5 x 1.8 cm. The graft application was combined with rigid fixation with an AO 3.5 mm DCP plate, permitting early active motion. The graft incorporated without any additional grafting procedure in ten cases within 17.2 weeks on average. The most frequent complication was infection (four cases), controlled by means of debridement, cleansing and antibiotics. A comparative analysis of the immediate and final radiographs of the graft showed an average 30% loss of bone mass despite integration. We conclude that the technique of bone block grafting to correct diaphyseal defects of the radius or ulna is relatively easy to carry out and has a high success rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine University Hospital, Brazil.
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Barbieri
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mazzer
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Aranda
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Pinto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D018483:Diaphyses / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D014458:Ulna Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*