Unilateral Free Vascularized Fibula Shared for the Treatment of Bilateral Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head

Abstract Between June 2007 and May 2008, 21 patients with bilateral osteonecrosis of the femoral head were surgically treated with implantation of free vascularized fibula obtained from the unilateral donor site. All patients were followed up clinically and radiographically for an average of 3.5 years. The evaluation included operative duration, blood loss, Harris hip score, incidence of complications, and radiological examinations. The time for fibular harvesting was 20 min on average. Total operative duration was 100–240 min, with an average of 150 min. Blood loss averaged 300 ml. All transplanted fibula integrated well to the femoral head 3.5 years postoperatively with no severe complications observed. The results revealed that unilateral free vascularized fibula is effective for the treatment of bilateral osteonecrosis of the femoral head.