Vascularized bone graft with external fixation for bone defect and non-union following fracture of the lower extremities *
We report here the results of a combined vascularized bone graft and external fixation for cases of bone defect and non-union following fracture of the lower extremities, A total of 10 cases (9 men and 1 woman), ranging in age from 19 to 67 years old (mean, 46), were studied. The site of injury was the tibia and fibula in eight cases and the femur in two cases with open fracture occurring in nine cases. We used a fibula graft in seven cases, an ileum graft in two cases and a combination of fibula and ileum in one case. External fixators (Ilizarov ; seven cases, Hoffmann ; three cases) were used for fixation in all cases. The results for all patients except one, whose operation was performed only 1.5 months ago, are as follows : Primary bone union was achieved in eight out of nine cases. Bone union required 2 to 7 months (mean, 4.4 months), and full weight bearing (FWB) without appliances required 3 to 13months (mean, 7.7months). (Accepted on June 11. 1997) Kawasaki Igakkaishi 23(2) : 67―72, 1997
