Treatment of tumor-like lesions in the femoral neck using free nonvascularized fibular autografts in pediatric patients before epiphyseal closure

OBJECTIVES: Surgical resection of benign bone tumors and tumor-like lesions at the femoral neck presents a difficult reconstructive challenge. However, the safety and efficacy of free nonvascularized fibular autografts (FNFAs) in the treatment of femoral neck tumor-like lesions before epiphyseal closure in young patients remain unknown. METHODS: Sixteen pediatric patients who had not yet undergone epiphyseal closure were treated with FNFAs after resection of tumor-like lesions in the femoral neck from August 2012 to September 2016. All patients underwent supplementary skeletal traction through the supracondylar femur for 4 to 6 weeks after resection. Demographic data were recorded and clinical and radiological outcomes were evaluated during the follow-up. RESULTS: All patients could walk with partial weight bearing 4 weeks postoperative, and full weight bearing was permitted after a mean of 8 weeks. Graft union was attained in all 16 patients at a mean of 2 months. The donor site of the fibular cortical strut showed good regeneration in all patients. The Harris hip score significantly improved from 65% to 95%. CONCLUSIONS: Application of an FNFA is a feasible method in the treatment of tumor-like lesions in the femoral neck before epiphyseal closure in pediatric patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.