Resection of a primary sarcoma of the diaphysis of a long bone creates a large defect. The biological options for reconstruction include the use of a vascularised and non-vascularised fibular autograft. The purpose of the present study was to compare these methods of reconstruction. Between 1985 and 2007, 53 patients (26 male and 27 female) underwent biological reconstruction of a diaphyseal defect after resection of a primary sarcoma. Their mean age was 20.7 years (3.6 to 62.4). Of these, 26 (49 %) had a vascularised and 27 (51 %) a non-vascularised fibular autograft. Either method could have been used for any patient in the study. The mean follow-up was 52 months (12 to 259). Oncological, surgical and functional outcome were evaluated. Kaplan–Meier analysis was performed for graft survival with major complication as the end point. At final follow-up, eight patients had died of disease. Primary union was achieved in 40 patients (75%); 22 (42%) with a vascularised fibular autograft and 18 (34%) a non-vascularised (p = 0.167). A total of 32 patients (60%) required revision surgery. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed a mean survival without complication of 36 months (0.06 to 107.3, . sd. 9) for the vascularised group and 88 months (0.33 to 163.9, . sd. 16) for the non-vascularised group (p = 0.035). . Both groups seem to be reliable biological methods of reconstructing a diaphyseal bone defect. Vascularised autografts require more revisions mainly due to problems with wound healing in distal sites of tumour, such as the foot. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1258–63

Aims

The aim of the study was to investigate the controversial issue of whether the pelvic ring should be reconstructed following resection of the sarcomas of the ilium.

We retrospectively evaluated 18 patients with a mean age of 37.3 years (14 to 72) who had undergone pelvic reconstruction stabilised with a non-vascularised fibular graft after resection of a primary bone tumour. The mean follow-up was 10.14 years (2.4 to 15.7). The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score was 76.5% (50% to 100%). Primary union was achieved in the majority of reconstructions within a mean of 22.9 weeks (7 to 60.6). The three patients with delayed or nonunion all received additional therapy (chemotherapy/radiation) (p = 0.0162). The complication rate was comparable to that of other techniques described in the literature.

Non-vascularised fibular transfer to the pelvis is a simpler, cheaper and quicker procedure than other currently described techniques. It is a biological reconstruction with good results and a relatively low donor site complication rate. However, adjuvant therapy can negatively affect the outcome of such grafts.

We report our experience of treating 17 patients with benign lesions of the proximal femur with non-vascularised, autologous fibular strut grafts, without osteosynthesis. The mean age of the patients at presentation was 16.5 years (5 to 33) and they were followed up for a mean of 2.9 years (0.4 to 19.5). Histological diagnoses included simple bone cyst, fibrous dysplasia, aneurysmal bone cysts and giant cell tumour. Local recurrence occurred in two patients (11.7%) and superficial wound infection, chronic hip pain and deep venous thrombosis occurred in three. Pathological fracture did not occur in any patient following the procedure.

We conclude that non-vascularised fibular strut grafts are a safe and satisfactory method of treating benign lesions of the proximal femur.