title: Treatment for large skeletal defects by free vascularized fibular graft combined with locking plate.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reconstruction of large skeletal defects secondary to osteomyelitis or open fracture is a challenging problem. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of using free vascularized fibular graft (FVFG) combined with locking plate in the treatment of large skeletal defects from open fracture and infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten patients with a mean age of 34 years (ranged 13-57 years) and a mean length of 8.7 cm (range 6-17 cm) skeletal defect were treated with FVFG and locking plate. The mean follow-up time was 26 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Grafting union occurred in all patients, with a mean healing time of 4.5 months. No recurrence of osteomyelitis and stress fractures was observed. The mean time to full weight-bearing was 10 months, and all patients were pain-free and able to walk without supportive devices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FVFG combined with locking plate is a viable option for the management of large skeletal defects from open fracture and infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China. zhangchqin@yahoo.cn
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Changqing
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Dongxu
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Jiagen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sheng
authors.forename: Xiangguo
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Bingfang
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zeng
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001860:Bone Plates; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000637:transplantation*; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult