An operation is described in which a microvascular technique was used to transfer a living fibula, with its vascular pedicle intact, to replace the lower end of the radius after massive resection for giant-cell tumour. Angiography carried out six weeks later showed that the grafted bone was viable. Six months after operation the transplanted fibula showed no osteoporosis or bone resorption and bony union at the junction of host and graft

1. A simple technique of arthrodesis of the hip is described. 2. Two triflanged nails are driven across the joint. The joint is not opened. No bone graft and no extensive fixation is used. 3. Symptoms were relieved in 90 per cent of patients and bony union was achieved in 63 per cent. Backache after operation was not a problem. 4. The period of hospitalisation was short and rapid return to heavy work was common

1. The behaviour of various types of cortical bone graft has been studied in rabbits by histological and injection techniques. 2. The results suggest that penetration of the graft by blood vessels plays an important part in the incorporation of autogenous and homogenous grafts. 3. Autogenous and homogenous grafts are both incorporated–the latter more slowly than the former–but heterogenous grafts are rejected. The reasons for this rejection are discussed

We report the use of Grosse-Kempf reamed intramedullary nailing in the treatment of 41 Gustilo type II and III open tibial fractures. The union times and infection rates were similar to those previously reported for similar fractures treated by external skeletal fixation, but the incidence of malunion was less and fewer required bone grafting. The role of exchange nailing is discussed and a treatment protocol is presented for the management of delayed union and nonunion

Nonunion of intertrochanteric fractures is uncommon but its effects are disabling. We describe a modification of the medial displacement and valgus osteotomy of Dimon and Hughston (1967) which we used in seven fractures, six of which united within 16 weeks. Postoperatively, hip function was good. The method provides good initial stability, a source of cancellous bone graft, good postoperative hip abductor function and reliable healing of the nonunion without the need for intraoperative imaging

We report a new method of ankle arthrodesis which combines an anterior approach with a dowel technique of bone grafting and screw fixation. In 20 ankles of 20 patients, ten with osteoarthritis, eight with rheumatoid arthritis and two others, we achieved 19 solid bony fusions and one painless fibrous ankylosis. The average time to union was 12.5 weeks. Patient satisfaction was high and the functional results were as good as for other reported methods, with fewer complications

Aims

Local antibiotics are used in the surgical management of foot infection in diabetic patients. This systematic review analyzes the available evidence of the use of local antibiotic delivery systems as an adjunct to surgery.

Nine patients with nonunited humeral shaft fractures were treated by open reduction and internal fixation with an intramedullary fibular bone graft and a compression plate. Fixation of the screws was enhanced by passing them through the fibula as well as the two humeral cortices (quadricortical fixation). Eight of the nine fractures united at an average of 3.5 months. Tests on cadaver bones showed that quadricortical fixation was as strong as methylmethacrylate augmentation and significantly better than bicortical fixation

Rigid posterior fixation of the skull to the third, fourth and fifth cervical vertebrae was achieved in three patients who, as a result of operation, had gross instability of the craniocervical junction. An anatomically contoured steel loop was secured to the occiput via small burr holes and to the vertebrae by sublaminar wiring. This technique has the advantage over bone grafting, either alone or with cement, in that it affords rigid stabilisation, allows early mobilisation and may contribute to eventual bony fusion

A case is reported four years after successful total replacement of the left humerus for chronic osteomyelitis of six years' duration, with an axillary sinus that had persisted despite repeated operations and more distally a pathological fracture that had failed to united after bone grafting. The disability was such that the patient had requested amputation, but he returned to his previous work as a driver six months after the total replacement and there has been no recurrence of infection

Fracture of the carpal scaphoid is uncommon in children, but does occur and may fail to unite. Eight patients with established non-union have been reiewed, with an average follow-up of almost four years. All non-unions were grafted with autogenous bone. Excellent clinical and radiological results have been obtained. It is concluded that non-union in children is best managed by bone grafting through the anterior approach. Possible aetiological factors concerned in non-union of scaphoid fractures in this age group are discussed

1. This report defines the indications, and describes in detail a technique for atlanto-axial arthrodesis. Open reduction, with wire fixation and bone grafting, achieves the objective of immediate stabilisation of an unstable C. 1-2 articulation. 2. The method is illustrated by fifteen consecutive patients who had atlanto-axial arthrodesis. fourteen of whom had excellent results. 3. When the indications are correct, atlanto-axial arthrodesis by the method described is a safe and effective procedure having an excellent success rate

Paraplegia occurred in an adolescent girl with osteogenesis imperfecta after chiropractic manipulation. The child had been able to walk freely out of doors. Complete motor paralysis with sensory sparing resulted due to anterior compression of the cord by spondyloptotic cervical vertebrae. Reconstructed computerised tomography was very helpful in demonstrating the abnormality. Anterior and then posterior decompression relieved the tethered spinal cord and were supplemented with bone grafting. Early diagnosis and surgical treatment will prevent similar neurological accidents

1. Eleven cases of tuberculosis of the pubis are described. 2. The disease is often of insidious onset, and symptoms vary from vague discomfort to incapacitating pain in the region of the symphysis and the groin. 3. Abscess formation is common and was present in nine of the eleven patients when they first attended. 4. The lesion has a good prognosis and responds well to simple curettage. 5. In this series operation, without bone grafting, has not been followed by pelvic instability or back pain

1. The usual methods of posterior arthrodesis of the lumbo-sacral joint are not satisfactory in cases in which laminectomy has been performed. 2. Estimation of fusion by mobility radiographs is unreliable and cannot distinguish between fibrous ankylosis and bony fusion. 3. Bone grafts inserted from behind between the vertebral bodies almost invariably fail to become incorporated. 4. Intertransverse arthrodesis has given promising results and is probably the best method available at present

The transiliac method of leg lengthening uses a modification of Salter's innominate osteotomy. The bone graft increases the length of the hemipelvis distal to the sacro-iliac joint. Leg-length inequality in 23 patients was treated by this method with an average gain in length of 2.8 cm (2.0 to 3.5). Apart from one residual femoral nerve palsy there were no notable complications. The facility to redirect the acetabulum allowed by the technique, may be useful in cases of potential hip instability or acetabular dysplasia

We report the results of acetabular reconstruction using a bipolar prosthesis bearing on cancellous bone graft in 37 patients after a minimum of five years. There was a satisfactory clinical outcome in 58% when assessed by pain, range of movement and stability, with greater improvement in the pain score than of the other parameters. Radiological migration of the prosthesis was a frequent finding although this did not always correlate with symptoms. Better results were obtained in cases of primary or secondary protrusio acetabuli than after the revision of previous total arthroplasties

Aims

This study reviews the use of a titanium mesh cage (TMC) as an adjunct to intramedullary nail or plate reconstruction of an extra-articular segmental long bone defect.

A new method of treating large bony defects of the proximal femur is described. The defect is filled with a large vascular-pedicled bone graft from the iliac crest. The graft, being nourished by the deep circumflex iliac vessels, remains viable and therefore induces rapid healing of the bone. This method of bony replacement encourages adequate excision of potentially malignant bone lesions and provides sufficient mechanical support to allow early walking. Six clinical cases are presented to illustrate its application