Vascularized fibular grafting for the treatment of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia.

Six patients with congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia were treated with vascularized fibula transplantation after the abnormal pseudarthrosis site had been radically debrided. At the time of surgery, the patients' ages ranged from 18 months to 5.5 years, and follow up was from 9 months to 4.5 years. All the fibular transplants healed and the patients were all fully weight bearing in a brace 6-months postoperatively. Age at fracture or surgery, site of the fracture, or radiographic appearance were not contraindications to the use of this technique. Although three of the patients required one further operation, the short- and long-term problems have been relatively minor. This technique has proven successful in managing many resistant patients with this difficult orthopedic problem.