Use of a reversed-flow vascularized pedicle fibular graft for treatment of nonunion of the tibia.

Ten patients with nonunion of the lower tibia were treated with a vascularized ipsilateral fibular graft, that was transferred distally and based on retrograde peroneal vessel flow. Eight patients were treated for congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia; one had a nonunion subsequent to infection, and another patient had bone and skin loss due to infection. A posterior approach was used to expose the tibia and to harvest the fibula. Bone union and full weight-bearing were achieved in all cases by 9 months. The patients were followed-up for a mean of 1.8 years (range: 1.5 to 3 years).