An intramedullary free vascularized fibular graft combined with pasteurized autologous bone graft in leg reconstruction for patients with osteosarcoma.

The use of pasteurized autologous bone graft has been an innovation in limb-salvage surgery; however, its principal disadvantage is fracture, infection, pseudoarthrosis, and bone resorption. We present two cases in which an intramedullary free vascularized fibular graft combined with pasteurized autologous bone graft was performed for immediate femur or tibia reconstruction following osteosarcoma resection. The rationale of this method is to combine the mechanical strength of a pasteurized bone with the biological activity of a vascularized bone. The pasteurized bone graft provides bone stock and early stability and the addition of the vascularized bone graft substantially facilitates host-pasteurized bone union. This combination procedure may be a recommended option for reconstruction of the lower leg, preserving knee joint function for patients with osteosarcoma.