Six patients with large defects in bone are described in whom we
performed microvascular anastomoses of grafted fibular vessels (arteries
and veins) to vessels in the recipient site. Two other patients, with
massive loss of bone and skin, were treated by grafting of osteocutaneous
composites also using microvascular anastomoses. All but one defect healed
successfully. There is a wide potential for applications of these two
techniques in the treatment of large segmental bone defects secondary to
trauma or following tumor resection.