M Barla1, E Polirsztok1, E Peltié2, J-L Jouve2, R Legré3, G Dautel1, S Barbary1, P Journeau4. 1. Service d'orthopédie et traumatologie infantile, hôpital d'enfants de Brabois, CHU de Nancy, allée du Morvan, 54500 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France. 2. Service d'orthopédie pédiatrique, hôpital La Timone, CHU de Marseille, 13385 Marseille, France. 3. Service de chirurgie plastique et reconstructrice, hôpital La Timone, CHU de Marseille, 13385 Marseille, France. 4. Service d'orthopédie et traumatologie infantile, hôpital d'enfants de Brabois, CHU de Nancy, allée du Morvan, 54500 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France. Electronic address: p.journeau@chru-nancy.fr.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The free vascularised fibular flap (FVFF) is widely used to treat bone defects, although it must be harvested from a healthy site. The objective of this study was to assess clinical morbidity and radiological changes at the FVFF donor site in children. HYPOTHESIS: Distal fibular stabilisation using a tibial strut decreases the prevalence of valgus ankle deformity. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirty-one children managed at two centres between 1994 and 2014 were included. Mean age was 8.9 years (range, 2-14 years) and mean follow-up was 6.6 years (range, 2-21 years). Early and delayed complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 17 early complications, 82.4% resolved fully within 7 months. Valgus ankle deformity developed in 6 (19.4%) patients. Age-residual fibula index under 16 was not significantly associated with valgus ankle deformity, although the P-value was borderline (P<0.058). Residual distal fibula length did not predict valgus ankle deformity. Three techniques were used for fibular reconstruction: syndesmotic screw, tibial strut, and both. None of these techniques prevented the occurrence of valgus ankle deformity. DISCUSSION: Clinical donor-site morbidity after FVFF harvesting, although noticeable, usually resolved promptly. Taken alone, an age-residual fibula index under 16 did not predict valgus ankle deformity. We recommend a distal tibio-fibular quadricortical syndesmotic screw or combined syndesmotic screw-tibial strut fixation to prevent valgus ankle deformity, which is common when a tibial strut is used alone. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.
BACKGROUND: The free vascularised fibular flap (FVFF) is widely used to treat bone defects, although it must be harvested from a healthy site. The objective of this study was to assess clinical morbidity and radiological changes at the FVFF donor site in children. HYPOTHESIS: Distal fibular stabilisation using a tibial strut decreases the prevalence of valgus ankle deformity. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirty-one children managed at two centres between 1994 and 2014 were included. Mean age was 8.9 years (range, 2-14 years) and mean follow-up was 6.6 years (range, 2-21 years). Early and delayed complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 17 early complications, 82.4% resolved fully within 7 months. Valgus ankle deformity developed in 6 (19.4%) patients. Age-residual fibula index under 16 was not significantly associated with valgus ankle deformity, although the P-value was borderline (P<0.058). Residual distal fibula length did not predict valgus ankle deformity. Three techniques were used for fibular reconstruction: syndesmotic screw, tibial strut, and both. None of these techniques prevented the occurrence of valgus ankle deformity. DISCUSSION: Clinical donor-site morbidity after FVFF harvesting, although noticeable, usually resolved promptly. Taken alone, an age-residual fibula index under 16 did not predict valgus ankle deformity. We recommend a distal tibio-fibular quadricortical syndesmotic screw or combined syndesmotic screw-tibial strut fixation to prevent valgus ankle deformity, which is common when a tibial strut is used alone. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.
Authors: Michael A Mont; Hytham S Salem; Nicolas S Piuzzi; Stuart B Goodman; Lynne C Jones Journal: J Bone Joint Surg Am Date: 2020-06-17 Impact factor: 6.558