title: Free vascularized fibular grafting-25 years' experience: tips, techniques, and pearls.
abstract: Thirty years after its introduction vascularized fibula transfer remains an important tool for all surgeons dealing with particularly challenging bone reconstruction problems. It should be a consideration when simpler approaches either have failed or are expected to fail. It is particularly indicated for the reconstruction of massive bone defects associated with sepsis and bony non-unions associated with radionecrosis. The successful execution of vascularized fibular grafting, however, requires microvascular expertise and adherence to sound orthopedic principles for bone healing, including stable internal fixation, maximal bone-to-bone coaptation, and appropriate postoperative management regarding joint mobilization and weight bearing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA. micheal.wood@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Michael B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Wood
mesh_terms: D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D005360:Fibula / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans