Wan Faisham Numan Wan Ismail

Long-term outcome of free fibula osteocutaneous flap and massive allograft in the reconstruction of long bone defect

Reconstruction of massive bone defects in bone tumors with allografts has been shown to have significant complications including infection, delayed or nonunion of allograft, and allograft fracture. Resection compounded with soft tissue defects requires skin coverage. A composite osteocutaneous free fibula offers an optimal solution where the allografts can be augmented mechanically and achieve biological incorporation. Following resection, the cutaneous component of the free osteocutaneous fibula flaps covers the massive soft tissue defect. In this retrospective study, the long-term outcome of 12 patients, who underwent single-stage limb reconstruction with massive allograft and free fibula osteocutaneous flaps instead of free fibula osteal flaps only, was evaluated. This study included 12 consecutive patients who had primary bone tumors and had follow-up for a minimum of 24 months. The mean age at the time of surgery was 19.8 years. A total of eight patients had primary malignant bone tumors (five osteosarcomas, two chondrosarcomas and one synovial sarcoma), and four patients had benign bone tumors (two giant-cell tumors, one aneurysmal bone cyst, and one neurofibromatosis). The mean follow-up for the 12 patients was 63 months (range 24-124 months). Out of the 10 patients, nine underwent lower-limb reconstruction and ambulated with partial weight bearing and full weight bearing at an average of 4.2 months and 8.2 months, respectively. In conclusion, augmentation of a massive allograft with free fibula osteocutaneous flap is an excellent alternative for reducing the long-term complication of massive allograft and concurrently addresses the soft tissue coverage.

Breakage of an intramedullary rod after bone union in congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia: a report of two cases

We report 2 patients with congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia who underwent intramedullary Rush rod transfixation through the ankle joint following refracture and nonunion of vascularised fibular grafting 6 and 8 months earlier. After 9 and 5 years, both Rush rods were broken at the level of the ankle joints, while the reconstructed area was solidly united. The growth of the distal tibia increased the distance of the tips of the broken rod and hence the ankle joint motion. The broken tips may damage the articular cartilage and result in valgus deformity of the ankle and limb length discrepancy.

Osteoarticular and soft-tissue melioidosis in Malaysia: clinical characteristics and molecular typing of the causative agent

INTRODUCTION Melioidosis involving bone, joints, and soft tissue is rare and reported usually following dissemination of disease from infection elsewhere in the body; to a lesser degree, it can also be reported as the primary manifestation of melioidosis. METHODOLOGY The orthopedic registry at Hospital University Sains Malaysia from 2008 until 2014 was retrospectively reviewed and was followed by molecular typing of Burkholderia pseudomallei. RESULTS Out of 20 cases identified, 19 patients were confirmed to have osteoarticular and/or soft-tissue melioidosis. The majority of the patients were males (84%), and 16 patients had underlying diabetes mellitus with no significant estimated risk with the disease outcomes. Bacterial genotype was not associated with the disease as a risk. Death was a significant outcome in patients with bacteremic infections (p = 0.044). CONCLUSION Patients with lung or skin melioidosis require careful treatment follow-up to minimize the chance for secondary osteoarticular infection. Human risk factors remain the leading predisposing factors for melioidosis. Early laboratory and clinical diagnosis and acute-phase treatment can decrease morbidity and mortality.