Treatment of radial nonunion with corticocancellous bone graft and fascia of anterolateral thigh free flap: The wrap technique

Abstract

Summary: The management of nonunion of the forearm bones is a challenging task. Multiple factors have been associated with the establishment of forearm nonunion, such as the fracture position and complexity, general condition of the patient, and the previously utilized surgical technique. The optimal surgical treatment of a bone gap remains a subject of discussion. Autogenous corticocancellous bone grafts and vascularized bone flaps have been used with differing results. The authors describe a technique for the treatment of posttraumatic nonunion of the radius with a 5-cm bone gap using the free anterolateral thigh fascial flap wrapped around a tricortical iliac bone graft. The fracture healed after 5 weeks. The use of a vascularized tissue wrapped around the bone graft resulted in a well-healed bone and no signs of resorption after 2 years of follow-up. A bone graft wrapped by a fascial flap could magnify the restorative effect on the bone defect because of its dual role of constructin vascularization and inducing tissue regeneration.