Reconstruction of the proximal femur with a vascular pedicle iliac crest graft after tumour resection.

A useful method of reconstruction of the proximal femur after tumour resection is described. An anterior iliac crest bone graft with an intact vascular supply based on the deep circumflex iliac vascular bundle is used to fill the bone defect. It is swung down to the femur behind the iliopsoas muscle and locked into place in the femur. Sixteen cases of locally aggressive tumours have been resected and reconstructed by this method. Follow-up for five to eight years shows good reconstitution of the femur and hip function without recurrence.