Free fibula flap elbow-joint hemiarthroplasty reconstruction for chronic osteomyelitis of the distal humerus.

The vascularized fibula flap has become a major tool in upper limb reconstruction. Free fibula flap reconstructions of the humeral part of the shoulder and the radial part of the wrist joints are well-documented, but reports of elbow joint reconstruction are rare. The authors report a 53-year-old patient with chronic osteomyelitis of the distal humerus that was unsuccessfully treated by many local surgical debridements and long-term systemic antibiotics.