Expanding the utility of modified vascularized femoral periosteal bone-flaps: An analysis of its form and a comparison with a conventional-bone-graft

BackgroundVascularized medial femoral condyle (MFC) corticoperiosteal bone-flap is a well-accepted technique when dealing with tissue defects or infection. Its role in refractory conditions and in the possible use for options concerning modifications of this bone-flap compared to a conventional iliac bone graft (conventional-graft) are rarely discussed.MethodsWe reviewed 21 consecutive cases concerning alternatives with some modifications of original MFC bone-flap surgery used to treat refractory conditions with bone defects, necrosis, or infection in the extremities. We present our devised approaches for this boneflap, and especially modifications of the grafted bone (including strut bone, perforator to the vastus medialis muscle, and the use of one vascular pedicle for some bone flaps) as well as the combined use of artificial bone as hybrid bone transplantation. We also compared the clinical results of 21 cases that received a conventional-graft.Results and ConclusionsFollowing flap placement, 100% of the nonunion sites healed in an average of 2 months, which was significantly shorter than 5.5 months for the conventional-graft. The results showed the expanding possibility for options with regard to the form and options of this bone-flap as well as the shortening the duration of treatment, especially at the site of an infected distal tibia, insertion of the Achilles tendon on the posterior aspect of calcaneal osteomyelitis, distal end of the clavicle, clavicle or forearm with a bone defect, small bones with refractory conditions, and a femur without implant failure. However, it was not efficient for treating a forearm without bone defect.