Reconstruction after excision of bone tumor of the proximal tibia is a challenging issue for the reconstructive surgeon. The combined use of a free fibular flap and allograft can provide a reliable reconstructive option in this location. This article describes the authors' long-term follow-up using this technique. Twenty-seven patients that had resection of proximal tibia bone tumors underwent reconstruction using this technique. Only 21 patients that had primary reconstruction were included in this study. All patients had their surgeries performed at least 24 months before the end of the study. The average age at time of operation was 18.1 years. The average follow-up time was 139.3 months. Limb salvage was 82.7%. The average length of the resected tibial segment was 15.3 cm and that of the residual proximal tibia remaining after resection was 2.7 cm. The average time of union of fibula was 5.4 months and for union of allograft was 19.1 months. Primary union of the allograft was achieved in 90.5% of cases. Full weight-bearing was achieved at an average of 21.6 months. Ten patients (47.6%) had 14 local complications. The (MTSRS) average score at final follow-up was 27.3. Local recurrences occurred in two patients (9.5%). Distant metastasis to the lung occurred in three patients (14.3%). One patient died of disease. This technique provides good long-term results in reconstruction of proximal tibia. The viability of the fibula is a cornerstone in both success of reconstruction as well as successful management of complications.

We reviewed 25 patients who had undergone resection of a primary bone sarcoma which extended to within 5 cm of the knee with reconstruction by a combination of a free vascularised fibular graft and a massive allograft bone shell. The distal femur was affected in four patients and the proximal tibia in 21. Their mean age at the time of operation was 19.7 years (5 to 52) and the mean follow-up period 140 months (28 to 213). Three vascularised transfers failed. The mean time to union of the fibula was 5.6 months (3 to 10) and of the allograft 19.6 months (10 to 34). Full weight-bearing was allowed at a mean of 21.4 months (14 to 36). The mean functional score at final follow-up was 27.4 (18 to 30) using a modfied 30-point Musculoskeletal Tumour Society rating system. The overall limb-salvage rate was 88%. The results of our study suggest that the combined use of a vascularised fibular graft and allograft is of value as a limb-salvage procedure for intercalary reconstruction after resection of bone tumours around the knee, especially in skeletally immature patients.

This method of reconstruction is a reliable technique not only to fill the defect resulting from oncological resection but also to provide better function. Microsurgical reconstruction of soft tissue sarcoma helps to expand the indications of limb salvage by allowing better local control and achieving adequate function and coverage.

Preservation of the blood supply of the nonunited fragment is the key to successful management. This combined technique successfully addresses different aspects of the problem simultaneously and provides a durable solution without deterioration of the results over time. The para-triceptal approach provided excellent exposure of both sides of the elbow with minimal disruption of the triceps muscle.

The optimal treatment of aneurysmal bone cyst remains challenging. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the results of using bone grafts shaped to the defects caused by aneurysmal bone cysts of upper limb bones. Fifteen patients (12 males and 3 females) with an average age of 12 years (range 6–16 years) were treated for aneurysmal bone cysts of upper limb bones by intralesional resection, argon beam coagulation and shaped bone graft. The grafts were harvested from 14 patients (11 fibulas and 3 iliac bones) and from the mother of one patient (proximal fibula). Osteosynthesis was required to stabilize the graft in four cases. The modified Enneking’s scoring system was used for functional evaluation. One patient developed partial recurrence at 6 months and required reoperation. Superficial wound infection was encountered in one patient. Shortening of the humeral segment was seen in two patients (1 and 1.5 cm) but without angular deformity. After a mean follow-up of 45 months (range 24–68 months), the mean functional score was 97.3%. This technique proved to be reliable in obtaining a well reconstructed and growing bone with no or minimal deformity and good function.