Vascularised rib graft defects of the diaphysis of the humerus in children- A report of two cases

In our practice sequestration of the shafts of long bones in children becau se of acute osteomyelitis continues to be a problem. Conventional procedure s for bone grafting are likely to fail. Vascularised grafts with microvascu lar anastomosis are technically demanding with a high rate of failure. Tran sfer of the rib on its vascular pedicle to achieve anterior fusion in the t horacic spine is now well established and the length of the pedicle availab le is adequate to allow grafting of a diaphyseal defect in the humerus. We describe the successful use of this procedure in two patients.