Vascularized bone grafts for congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia

Eight vascularized fibula grafts and two vascularized rib grafts were used for the treatment of 10 Boyd's Type I I congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia. All but one vascularized fibula graft united within 4 months. The two vascularized rib grafts did not unite until receiving a conventional bone graft. Nine spontaneous fractures were seen in four patients; all were subsequently treated successfully with cast or conventional bone graft. Corrective osteotomies were done in two patients. Follow-up averaged 8 years and 5 months (range, 5 years and 1 month to 14 years and 4 months). Average age at end of follow-up was 13 years and 6 months (range, 7 years and 10 months to 20 years and 4 months). After bony union was achieved, shortening of the affected leg averaged 3.8 centimeters, flexion deformity averaged 20 degrees, and valgus deformity averaged 24 degrees. In three patients, whose leg discrepancy averaged 4.9 centimeters, the leg was lengthened at an average patient age of 13 years and 9 months (age range, 11 years and 7 months to 15 years and 2 months). The resulting limb length discrepancy averaged 2.2 centimeters. Vascularized bone grafting is a reliable technique for achieving bony union in congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia. Residual shortening may be corrected later by limb lengthening. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.