The "double barrel" free vascularized fibular bone graft

Abstract

A further modification of the free vascularized fibular bone graft is described in which a transverse osteotomy is made from the anterolateral aspect of the fibular shaft just distal to the entry of the nutrient artery. This produces two vascularized bone struts that may be folded parallel to each other but that remain connected by the periosteum and muscle cuff surrounding the peroneal artery and vein. The proximal strut is vascularized by both a periosteal and an endosteal blood supply, whereas the distal strut is vascularized by a periosteal blood supply alone. This so-called "double barrel" free vascularized fibular graft has been employed in three patients with segmental bone defects of the distal femur and in one patient with adjacent bony defects of the radius and ulna.