Biology of vascularized bone grafts.

Vascularized canine fibular autografts demonstrated improved biologic and mechanical characteristics 3 months after surgery when compared with nonvascularized controls. The vascularized proximal fibula maintained its overall architecture without bony collapse or significant bone turnover. The strength and stiffness of these grafts were approximately 40 per cent and 56 per cent more than nonvascularized grafts, respectively.