title: Inter-tibiofibular graft for traumatic segmental bone defect of the tibia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study sought to assess the interest of inter-tibiofibular graft (ITFG), alternatively called posterolateral bone graft, in traumatic segmental tibial bone defect.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-eight ITFGs were performed in 125 tibial reconstructions for traumatic bone defect. Patient's records were reviewed retrospectively in a multicenter study. Tibial reconstruction with and without ITFG was compared for bone healing and patient's return to full weight-bearing status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no failures of bone healing in the ITFG group, versus 14 (14%) in the non-ITFG group. Graft-to-consolidation delays were shorter with first-line ITFG, at a mean 10 months (range, 3-20 months) versus 16.5 months (range, 3-63 months) in the non-ITFG group (P<0.05). Weight-bearing was likewise more quickly resumed, with full weight-bearing at a mean 9 months (range, 3-19 months) versus 15 months (range, 1-34 moths) respectively (P<0.05). Return to work was also quicker, at a mean 15 months (range, 4-28 months) versus 27 months (range, 8-56 months) respectively (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study confirmed the interest of ITFG in tibial bone defect reconstruction. ITFG may singly be used for small defects less than 4 cm, or in conjunction with another tibial reconstruction technique; ITFG in the present series achieved consolidation in all cases and significantly shortened the times to return to full weight-bearing status and to work.
  
  
  METHODS
  III: retrospective case-control study.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery Dept, Robert-Debré Hospital, 48, boulevard Serurier, 75019 Paris, France. franck.fitoussi@rdb.aphp.fr
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fitoussi
authors.forename: A-C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Masquelet
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rigal
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Poichotte
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fabre
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D005360:Fibula / Q000637:transplantation*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013977:Tibia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016474:Weight-Bearing; D055815:Young Adult