Combining the external fixation and microsurgical osteoseptocutaneous flap transplantation methods for limb salvage.

Background: The correction of large area limb defects that are the result of congenital abnormalities, traumatic injury, inflammation, or tumors is a challenging task for clinicians. The need to restore the physical, mechanical, and cosmetic aspects of the limb results in a difficult balancing act between deformity repair and tissue reconstruction, between the soft tissue and bone reconstructions, and between the physical, mechanical, and esthetic restorations.

Methods: Between 2003 and 2011, 59 patients with large area limb defects underwent 1- or 2-stage reconstructions that combined external fixation with microsurgical osteocutaneous flap transfer.

Two-stage reconstruction in congenital pseudarthrosis of the forearm using the Ilizarov technique and vascularized osteoseptocutaneous fibula.

The authors present nine patients with congenital pseudarthrosis of the forearm. The reconstruction was carried out in two stages. At the first stage, Ilizarov's device was applied to the forearm in order to lengthen the affected extremity and to eliminate deformity.