Vascularised Fibula Graft
We have two bones in the leg namely tibia and fibula. Tibia is the main bone which helps in weight bearing. Fibula is the extra bone which can be used to reconstruct other bones when they are fractured and some part of bone is missing due to the loss or due to infection. FVFG is a microsurgical procedure that replaces dead bone with viable, structurally sound, vascularized bone grafted from a patient’s own fibula.
Microsurgery is a specialised form of surgery performed with the aid of an operation microscope and involves the use of a range of advanced techniques designed for working on very fine structures such as nerves and blood vessels. In FVFG fibula of the patient is dissected and taken along with its blood vessels. Blood vessels are then re-connected close to the recipient site, establishing blood flow and allowing the tissue to fully integrate within the new location.
An orthopaedic or plastic surgeon who has undergone specialised training in microsurgery is able to perform such procedures.
- Long length bone loss due to fracture.
- Bone loss due to infection.
- Augmenting the structural support of bone.
It depends on the age of the patient, associated diseases ,complexity of wound. Two types of anaesthesia are commonly used .
Regional anaesthesia : Your anaesthesia doctor will make your upper or lower limb numb by giving an injection near your collar bone ( for upper limb ) or on your back ( for lower limb ). You will feel no pain but you will be awake.
General anaesthesia : Your anaesthesia doctor will make you sleep .