Vascularized medial femoral condyle corticoperiosteal flaps for the treatment of recalcitrant humeral nonunions.
BACKGROUND
Several methods have been used in the management of humeral nonunions. With the advent of modern microsurgical techniques, vascularized bone grafting is becoming increasingly used to improve local biology. We report our experience in the use of a vascularized corticoperiosteal bone flap from the medial femoral supracondylar region in the treatment of recalcitrant humeral nonunions.


METHODS
A retrospective review was performed of all patients treated with this technique over a 4-year period within our institution. Patient demographics, nonunion characteristics, complications, and long-term outcomes were analyzed.


RESULTS
Six patients underwent vascularized periosteal graft reconstruction. Prior to this, all had failed an average of three procedures with the length of nonunion ranging from 6 to 68 months. All six nonunions healed by an average of 6.8 months (range 2-12 months). Two patients required additional secondary procedures. Functional outcome improved in all patients as adjudged by disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand, Mayo elbow performance, and Constant Murley scores.


CONCLUSIONS
The vascularized medial femoral condyle corticoperiosteal flap provides an additional treatment option for the management of humeral nonunions.
Professor of Plastic Surgery, Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN.
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Kakar
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Duymaz
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Steinmann
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Shin
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Moran
D000328:Adult; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D017102:Fracture Healing; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000601:surgery*; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010521:Periosteum / Q000637:transplantation*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome