title: Regenerating the fibula with beta-tricalcium phosphate minimizes morbidity after fibula resection.
abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the radiologic and clinical outcome when beta-tricalcium phosphate is used as a bone graft substitute to backfill the fibular defect that is created by harvesting the fibula. Fourteen patients who had fibula resections to be used as bone grafts for bone tumor resections were assessed radiographically. Callus formation bridging the beta-tricalcium phosphate was seen in 12 of 14 patients at an average of 1.4 months after surgery. In these 12 patients the beta-tricalcium phosphate mostly was absorbed and replaced by newly formed bone at an average of 9.3 months after surgery. In all children, beta-tricalcium phosphate was replaced by newly formed bone at an average of 3.2 months after surgery. Only one adult patient had complete regeneration of the fibula. Few patients had continuity between the regenerated fibula and the native fibula. In one patient in whom free vascularized fibula was harvested, regeneration of the fibula was not observed. Clinical functional outcome was not correlated with successful fibula regeneration and union with the native fibula, as determined using radiographs. The results of the study suggest that, in children, regeneration of the fibula by implanting beta-tricalcium phosphate into a bone defect can reduce morbidity of the fibula harvest sites.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nagoya Memorial Hospital, 4-305 Hirabari, Tenpaku-ku, Nagoya 468-8520, Japan.
authors.forename: Eisuke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arai
authors.forename: Hiroatsu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nakashima
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsukushi
authors.forename: Yoji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shido
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nishida
authors.forename: Yoshihisa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Hideshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sugiura
authors.forename: Hirohisa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Katagiri
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D005360:Fibula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011859:Radiography; D012038:Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; C485817:beta-tricalcium phosphate