TY - JOUR
T1 - Patient-Reported Long-Term Outcomes After Free Vascularized Fibula Graft in Spinal Reconstruction
T2 - a 24-year Cohort
AU - van den Heuvel, S. C. M.
AU - Timmermans, F. W.
AU - Harmsen, T. H. S.
AU - van Royen, B. J.
AU - Winters, H. A. H.
N1 - Funding Information: Funding: none Publisher Copyright: © 2021 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - Purpose: The use of free vascularized fibula grafts (FVFG) in complex spinal deformity surgery intends to allow for life-long stability of the spine with good long-term clinical outcome. However, these long-term outcomes of this technique are still lacking. The objective of this study is to report the long-term postoperative outcomes and establish the long-term viability of this method for spinal reconstruction. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in all patients who underwent spinal reconstructive surgery utilizing a FVFG at a tertiary medical centre. Questionnaires taken from the participants were the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability (also known as Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)), Scoliosis Research Society 22r (SRS-22), the EQ-5D-5L and a self-assembled questionnaire regarding donor site comorbidities and patient satisfaction. Results: Over a period of 24 years (1995–2019), we used FVFG for spinal reconstruction in 31 patients. A total of 25 patients were included in this study, 8 patients were deceased at the time of this study, and sixteen patients responded to the questionnaires. Patient satisfaction was rated 6.8 out of 10, the average SRS-22r score was 3.6, EQ-5D-5L score was 0.725, and the ODI score showed a minimal disability (0–20%) postoperatively. Overall complication-free survival was 8.9 years. Nine patients underwent a re-operation in the spinal area; five for the removal of the spinal instrumentation. Conclusion: Patients reported satisfied and good long-term outcomes following FVFG surgical procedure for complex spinal deformities. Therefore, considering the alternatives, this procedure provides a good long-term solution for complex spinal deformity surgery.
AB - Purpose: The use of free vascularized fibula grafts (FVFG) in complex spinal deformity surgery intends to allow for life-long stability of the spine with good long-term clinical outcome. However, these long-term outcomes of this technique are still lacking. The objective of this study is to report the long-term postoperative outcomes and establish the long-term viability of this method for spinal reconstruction. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in all patients who underwent spinal reconstructive surgery utilizing a FVFG at a tertiary medical centre. Questionnaires taken from the participants were the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability (also known as Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)), Scoliosis Research Society 22r (SRS-22), the EQ-5D-5L and a self-assembled questionnaire regarding donor site comorbidities and patient satisfaction. Results: Over a period of 24 years (1995–2019), we used FVFG for spinal reconstruction in 31 patients. A total of 25 patients were included in this study, 8 patients were deceased at the time of this study, and sixteen patients responded to the questionnaires. Patient satisfaction was rated 6.8 out of 10, the average SRS-22r score was 3.6, EQ-5D-5L score was 0.725, and the ODI score showed a minimal disability (0–20%) postoperatively. Overall complication-free survival was 8.9 years. Nine patients underwent a re-operation in the spinal area; five for the removal of the spinal instrumentation. Conclusion: Patients reported satisfied and good long-term outcomes following FVFG surgical procedure for complex spinal deformities. Therefore, considering the alternatives, this procedure provides a good long-term solution for complex spinal deformity surgery.
KW - Spinal reconstruction
KW - Vascularized fibula graft
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85118591466&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2021.08.036
DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2021.08.036
M3 - Article
C2 - 34736853
SN - 1748-6815
VL - 75
SP - 629
EP - 640
JO - Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
JF - Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
IS - 2
ER -