Abstract
Fifteen patients (11 males, 4 females) with a median age of 16 years (range, 7–25) were treated in our centre by intra-articular resection of the proximal femur, and hip arthrodesis using a vascularized fibular graft. Eight patients had Ewing’s sarcoma, 5 osteogenic sarcoma, and 2 chondrosarcoma.
After a mean follow up of 58.2 months, 13 patients were alive with no evidence of disease. All fibular grafts united at a mean time of 7.6 months (range, 7–9 months). Four patients had stress fractures of the vascularized fibular graft, all healed after a mean period of 6.5 weeks. Failure of the fixation system occurred in two patients. Deep infection developed in one case which necessitated plate removal. Three of these patients with complications underwent a second procedure, giving a re-operation rate of 20%. The mean MSTS functional score was 85.9% at the time of the latest follow-up.
We conclude that hip arthrodesis using a vascularized fibular graft is a viable alternative to endoprosthetic replacement after proximal femoral resections. It should be considered as an effective and durable reconstructive technique in young patients with high physical demands.
Correspondence should be addressed to Professor Stefan Bielack, Olgahospital, Klinikum Stuttgart, Bismarkstrasse 8, D-70176 Stuttgart, Germany. Email: s.bielack@klinikum_stuttgart.de
