Free Vascularized Fibula Graft to Treat Chondroblastoma of the Hip

Full article available online at ORTHOSuperSite.com. Search: 20120123-20 Chondroblastomas are rare tumors that present in the epiphysis of the long bones. Bone grafting following aggressive surgical curettage has yielded the best results. When present in the femoral head, they pose a higher risk of recurrence due to the diffi culty of achieving an adequate resection without destroying the structural integrity of the weight-bearing surface. This article describes a case of surgical treatment of a chondroblastoma of the femoral head with the use of a free vascularized fi bula graft. A 26-year-old woman had several months of increasing left hip pain and decreased range of motion. Imaging studies confi rmed a large bubbly lesion with sclerotic borders in the left femoral head consistent with chondroblastoma. After performing an aggressive and complete excisional biopsy, a large cavitary defect remained in the femoral head. Reconstruction of the defect and structural support was achieved using a free vascularized fi bula. Nine years postoperatively, the patient had full hip motion, no pain, and no radiographic evidence of collapse. A free vascularized fi bula graft is an excellent option for the reconstruction of a large femoral head defect after chondroblastoma resection.