Free vascularized fibula for the treatment of traumatic bone defects and nonunion of the forearm bones.

Eighteen infected nonunions and segmental defects of both the radius and ulna which had failed to resolve with conventional treatment were treated with a free vascularized fibular graft to restore radial, but not ulnar, continuity. In three patients there was destruction of the wrist joint and in two destruction of the elbow. The time from injury to referral ranged from 4 weeks to 3 months. The ipsilateral fibula was used as an osseous or osseocutaneous free flap to reconstruct the radius. All fractures united with good soft-tissue healing and resolution of infection. One patient required additional cancellous bone grafting. The mean period required for radiographic bone union was 4 months. Reconstruction of only the radius provided a stable forearm with a reasonable range of forearm rotation.