title: Lower Extremity Osseous Oncologic Reconstruction with Composite Microsurgical Free Fibula Inside Massive Bony Allograft.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lower extremity reconstruction after resection of long bone tumors in children is challenging because of the unique functional demands and growth potential of the lower extremity. The use of a free fibula flap inside a massive bone allograft provides a reliable reconstructive option. The authors evaluate the surgical and functional outcomes of using this technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective review of 12 consecutive patients who underwent reconstruction of segmental femur or tibia defects using a free fibula flap inside a massive bone allograft between 2003 and 2011. Complications and functional outcomes are reported.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve patients with a mean age of 15.8 years (range, 3 to 49 years) were included in the study. Eight femur defects and four tibia defects were reconstructed. The mean follow-up time was 41.4 months. Two constructs were removed because of infection, three patients required bone grafting for nonunion, one patient required an additional operation to excise a skin paddle, and one patient experienced a lower extremity deep vein thrombosis. The mean time to achieve full weight bearing was 14.3 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of a free fibula flap inside a massive bone allograft after bone tumor resection provides an option for lower extremity reconstruction. The allograft component increases the initial strength of the reconstruction, whereas the vascularized fibula component is thought to increase the biologic potential for osteosynthesis and ultimately provide a potentially lifelong durable reconstruction. Patients who achieve oncologic control are likely to enjoy a highly functional long-term outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic, IV.
authors.affiliation: New York and Bronx, N.Y.; and Baltimore, Md. From the Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medical Center; and Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Katie E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Weichman
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Dec
authors.forename: Carol D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: Babak J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Mehrara
authors.forename: Joseph J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Disa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D064591:Allografts; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005360:Fibula / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013977:Tibia / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult