Summary
Vascularised bone graft is a well accepted technique when dealing with long defects.
Its role in refractory nonunion, in small defects and in the growing patient is rarely
discussed. In this paper the authors review the different alternatives to deal with
bone defects in the upper extremity. The indications of vascularised corticoperiosteal
graft for solving small defects harbouring refractory nonunion, and the use of vascularised
bone phalanx and metatarsal for complex – but small – defects in the fingers is presented.
The ability of the bone to grow and remodel when a living epiphysis is included, and
to maintain the cartilage viability when a composite osteochondral graft is transferred
are also discussed.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 25, 2007
Accepted:
March 7,
2007
Received:
October 26,
2006
Identification
Copyright
© 2007 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
