Reconstruction of humeral diaphyseal non-unions with vascularized fibular graft
Abstract
Methods: This study included six non-unions (3 males and 3 females; average age: 47 years; range: 21 to 57 years) reconstructed using vascularized fibular grafts between 2002 and 2007. Average duration of non-union was 59 (range: 12 to 156) months. Fixation was achieved with intramedullary nailing in 3 patients and plates in 3. One case was lost to follow-up at the third postoperative month. The remaining five patients were followed up for an average of 37 (range: 12 to 53) months.
Results: In four cases, union was achieved with a single operation at an average of 4.4 months. A secondary intervention for grafting was required for one patient for inadequate consolidation of the proximal bone-graft interface. Mean radiographic humeral length difference was 3.6 (range: 1 to 7) cm. Average elbow range of motion was 130 (range: 100 to 145), shoulder flexion 167.5 (range: 165 to 170), shoulder abduction 172.5 (range: 170 to 180), internal rotation 75 (range: 70 to 80), and external rotation 92.5 (range: 80 to 100) degrees. Mean DASH score was 10 (range: 5 to 19). According to the Tang system, 3 patients had excellent and 2 good clinical evaluations. Radiologic evaluation revealed four excellent and one fair result. No donor site morbidity was detected.
Conclusion: Our results suggest that vascularized fibular grafting is an effective treatment option for the reconstruction of humeral diaphyseal non-unions.
Keywords
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Health Care Administration
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Tulgar Toros
This is me
Kemal Ozaksar
This is me
Tahir Sugun
This is me
Fuat Ozerkan
This is me
Publication Date
June 1, 2012
Submission Date
March 7, 2014
Acceptance Date
-
Published in Issue
Year 2012 Volume: 46 Number: 3