Comparative study on therapeutic effects between free fibular flap transfer and bone transport on treatment of infected humeral defects
10.3760/cma.j.cn441206-20240914-00208
- VernacularTitle:游离腓骨瓣移植与骨搬运治疗肱骨感染性骨缺损的疗效比较
- Author:
Abula ABULAITI
1
;
Peng REN
;
Saimaiti GULI'AYIXIAMU
;
Erlin CHENG
;
Abulaiti ALIMUJIANG
;
Yusufu AIHEMAITIJIANG
Author Information
1. 新疆医科大学第一附属医院骨科中心显微修复外科，乌鲁木齐 830054
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Fibular flap transfer;
Ilizarov bone transport;
Humeral fracture;
Infected bone nonunion
- From:
Chinese Journal of Microsurgery
2025;48(5):531-538
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To preliminarily explore and compare the efficacy of free fibular flap transfer with vascular anastomosis and Ilizarov bone transport in treatment of infected bone defects after internal fixation of humeral fractures.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 29 patients who were treated by transfer of free fibular flap and Ilizarov bone transport for infected nonunion of humeral fractures after internal fixation in the Department of Trauma and Microreconstructive Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University between January 2017 and January 2023. Twelve patients with humeral defects at 4.0 - 6.0 cm in length (5.1 cm in average) were treated with free fibular flap transfer (flap transfer group) and 17 patients with humeral defect at 6.0-10.0 cm in length (7.3 cm in average) were treated by Ilizarov bone transport (bone transport group). All patients were included in the scheduled postoperative follow-up through a combination of outpatient visits and WeChat and telephone interviews. Follow-up included observation of humeral X-ray and shoulder-elbow function. Data were analysed using SPSS 27.0. Homogeneity tests were conducted on the basic data of the 2 groups, such as age, gender, length of bone defect, bone healing time and follow-up period. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant for the difference. Results:All 29 patients had completed the postoperative follow-up that lasted 8-89 months with 41.3 months in average. The lengths of bone defects were 5.2 cm±0.5 cm and 7.0 cm±1.2 cm, the bone healing time was 6.4 months±1.8 months and 14.2 months±4.6 months, and the follow-up time was 17.6 months±6.8 months and 34.4 months ±18.2 months in flap transfer group and bone transport group, respectively. Constant-Murley shoulder score was recorded of 86.0 ± 8.6 and 82.4±10.0 respectively for flap transfer group and bone transport group. Enneking Lower Extremity Functional Score in the flap transfer group was 25.0 ± 3.4, while that for bone transport group was not evaluated due to the absence of lower extremity surgery. There were statistically significant differences in bone defects, bone healing time, and follow-up time between the 2 groups ( P<0.01). There was no statistically significant differences in Constant-Murley shoulder score between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). However, in the flap transfer group, 1 patient developed a haematoma at fibular donor site after surgery, and the haematoma was removed in a secondary surgery, after which the surgical site healed smoothly. The external fixator had gone loose in 1 patient and resulted in a fracture of the transferred fibula. After the external fixator was re-fixed, the fracture healed at 8 months after surgery, and the external fixator was removed at 10 months after surgery. In the bone transport group, 3 patients had poor bone healing at fracture ends. Two patients had axial shifting of bones, the external fixator was adjusted during the bone transport process to correct the bone shifting. One patient suffered an incomplete radial nerve injury, and the radial nerve exploration and release surgery was performed. For that patient, an improvement of muscle strength was seen at 3 months and the wrist and digital extensions regained at 7 months after the radial nerve release surgery. The rest of humeri healed smoothly. Conclusion:In treatment of an infected humeral defect, it was found that a bone transport might be a better option for a larger humeral defect, while the free fibular flap transfer would be more suitable for a smaller humeral defect.
