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Learn the Humeral fracture (non-union): Medial Femoral Condyle Free Flap surgical technique with step by step instructions on OrthOracle. Our e-learning platform contains high resolution images and a certified CME of the Humeral fracture (non-union): Medial Femoral Condyle Free Flap surgical procedure.

Vascularised bone grafts have been used in the treatment of skeletal defects and persistent atrophic non-unions for many years, particularly when these are associated with inadequate vascularity.

In 1988, Masquelet, described a periosteal flap from the medial femoral condyle, based on the descending geniculate artery. In 1991, Doi described a useful modification of this flap to include cortex and periosteum. The technique was initially predominantly used in the management of scaphoid non-unions. It has since gained widespread acceptance in treating difficult non-unions, particularly those involving poorly vascularised bone or avascular necrosis. In my practice, the technique has been successfully used to manage scaphoid non-unions with poor prognostic factors (see references).
I have also used it for individual difficult cases of non-union in other anatomical areas, including the clavicle and the humeral shaft.

The medial femoral condyle bone flap can be modified to include a large section of periosteal tissue, which can be used to wrap around the defect with varying amounts of cortical and cancellous bone included.

Some authors have included a skin paddle, based on a saphenous artery perforator. This can be used as both as a monitor flap and provides soft tissue cover where required. Further modifications have allowed surgeons to include a section of cartilage from a non-articulating part of the trochlea, to reconstruct defects where the articular cartilage is involved.

The free medial femoral condyle flap is based on the geniculate artery system, which arises from the superficial femoral artery in the medial thigh. It is supplied by both the descending genicular artery, and the superomedial genicular artery. The superomedial genicular arises directly from the popliteal artery and has been shown to be invariably present, although somewhat shorter in length than the more usable descending genicular artery, which gives a pedicle length of between 5-10cm. The typical vessel diameter is between 1-2mm.

The descending genicular artery is absent in about 10-15% of cases and the surgeon must therefore be prepared to use the alternative potentially shorter pedicle.

The bone flap is located over the medial femoral condyle just proximal to the subchondral bone of the anterior-distal articular surfaces. Anteriorly it is bordered by the medial patellar facet. The distal border is limited by the medial collateral ligament. The dense condensation of bone in the posterior femur forms the posterior border and must be protected carefully in view of its significant role in the strength of the distal femur in axial load bearing.

When non-union sites require significant lengths of bone (in my practice anything above 6cm), I would opt for a longer vascularised bone such as the fibula. For smaller defects such as the scaphoid or a short defect within the humerus, we have found the medial femoral condyle to be an excellent source of vascularised bone with minimal donor site morbidity, minimal flap harvest time and adequate pedicle length for most scenarios.

In this case, a persistent humeral non-union that had failed 3 previous attempts at non-union surgery was referred for microvascular input and the procedure was performed by the hand and micro team in association with the patient’s orthopaedic surgeon.

OrthOracle readers will also find the following associated instructional techniques of interest:

Intercalary humeral excision and allograft reconstruction with vascularised fibula (the Capanna technique)

Humeral fracture: Transcondylar distal fracture fixation with Synthes 2.7mm/3.5mm Variable Angle Locking Compression Plate, triceps sparing approach

Humeral shaft fracture: Nailing with Synthes Multiloc Humeral Nail

Humeral fracture: Pathological fracture fixed by intralesional curettage, cement augmentation and Synthes Philos plate

Humeral fracture: Fixation of proximal physeal fracture using Synthes Philos plate

Author: Tahseen Chaudhry FRCS (Tr & Orth)

Institution: Consultant Hand and Peripheral Nerve Surgeon, University Hospital, Birmingham, UK

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