Free Vascularized Fibular Bone Grafting in the Management of Femoral Neck Nonunion in Patients Younger Than Fifty Years

Abstract

Rates of complications, such as nonunion and osteonecrosis, after femoral neck fractures in young patients have been reported to be as high as 86 percent. Treatments such as osteotomy, muscle-pedicle bone grafting, nonvascularized bone grafting, and vascularized bone grafting have reported variable results. Based on the results reported in this study, vascularized fibular bone grafting compares favorably with a high union rate (91 percent initially, 100 percent after secondary procedures) and successful long-term salvage of the femoral head in 91 percent of the patients. Free vascularized fibular bone grafting represents a promising solution for this difficult problem.