Microvascular free bone transfer with revascularization of the medullary and periosteal circulation or the periosteal circulation alone. A comparative experimental study.

Abstract

The technique of transferring whole bone segments by microvascular anastomoses of their vascular pedicles has been employed clinically either by preserving the periosteal blood supply alone or by preserving the medullary and the periosteal blood supply. This study demonstrates that the preservation of the periosteal blood supply alone can result in complete bone-graft survival even when the graft is placed in a poorly vascularized tissue bed.