title: Four years follow-up after clavicle reconstruction in a child: a case report.
abstract: Clavicle reconstruction is a rare operation. In most cases a mid-shaft defect of the clavicle is bridged by using different grafting techniques or musculo-osteous flaps. In some clinical situations where reconstruction is not a suitable option claviculectomy as a salvation procedure has proven to be an acceptable solution. In the paediatric population the challenge of both the cosmetic and the functional result attempting reconstruction of large bone defects is of higher demand. To our knowledge, this is the first case of a successful clavicle reconstruction with a sufficient follow-up using a free vascularised fibula graft in a child. This case provides a technique description, considerations in the paediatric population, an overview of other techniques used, and a long-term follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse, 3010 Berne, Switzerland. Electronic address: christoph.heidt2@rch.org.au.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Heidt
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse, 3010 Berne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ziebarth
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Berne and University of Berne, Freiburgstrasse, 3010 Berne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Erni
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse, 3010 Berne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Theddy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Slongo
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse, 3010 Berne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Joeris
mesh_terms: D017824:Bone Cysts, Aneurysmal / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002968:Clavicle / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000637:transplantation*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Clavicle; External fixator; Paediatric plastic surgery; Reconstruction; Tumorous lesion; Vascularised fibular graft