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Journal of Medical Case Reports
Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports 1/2013

Open Access 01-12-2013 | Case report

A free vascularized tibia-fibular composite graft for the traumatic femoral bony defect of a 6-year-old boy with 10-year follow up: a case report

Authors: Shih-Hao Chen, To Wong, Ming-Chung Yeh, Chun-Huang Pai, Jih-Yang Ko

Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports | Issue 1/2013

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Abstract

Introduction

Free vascularized fibular grafts have been widely used for the reconstruction of long bone defects. However, the use of a vascularized tibial graft is precluded by its weight-bearing function and unacceptable donor site morbidity.

Case presentation

We present a rare case of using a vascularized tibia-fibular composite graft taken from a 6-year-old Chinese boy’s ipsilateral lower leg to reconstruct a large bony defect of his traumatic femur. Hypertrophy of the tibial graft, good remodeling of the femoral shaft, and atrophy of the unloaded fibular graft were noted at the 10-year follow up. He was able to participate in outdoor activities such as basketball while wearing his prosthesis.

Conclusions

The 10-year follow up demonstrates the feasibility of this salvage procedure for a floating knee injury with neurovascular compromise.
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Metadata
Title
A free vascularized tibia-fibular composite graft for the traumatic femoral bony defect of a 6-year-old boy with 10-year follow up: a case report
Authors
Shih-Hao Chen
To Wong
Ming-Chung Yeh
Chun-Huang Pai
Jih-Yang Ko
Publication date
01-12-2013
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Medical Case Reports / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 1752-1947
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1752-1947-7-136

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