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Ercin et al. Plast Aesthet Res 2020;7:38 Plastic and
DOI: 10.20517/2347-9264.2020.56 Aesthetic Research

Original Article Open Access

Olecranon bone grafting for the treatment of
nonunion after distal finger replantation

Burak Sercan Ercin , Fatih Kabakas , Musa Kemal Keles , Ismail Bulent Ozcelik 1,3,4 , Berkan Mersa 1,3,4
1,2
1,2
1,2
1 IST-EL Microsurgery Group, Istanbul 34245, Turkey.
2 Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Medicalpark Gebze Hospital, Kocaeli 41400, Turkey.
3 Department of Hand Surgery, Yeni Yuzyil University, Gaziosmanpasa Hospital, Istanbul 34245, Turkey.
4 Nisantasi University, Istanbul 34398, Turkey.
Correspondence to: Dr. Burak Sercan Ercin, Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Medicalpark Gebze Hospital,
Kocaeli 41400, Turkey. E-mail: bsercin@gmail.com

How to cite this article: Ercin BS, Kabakas F, Keles MK, Ozcelik IB, Mersa B. Olecranon bone grafting for the treatment of nonunion
after distal finger replantation. Plast Aesthet Res 2020;7:38. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2347-9264.2020.56
Received: 29 Mar 2020 First Decision: 4 Jun 2020 Revised: 12 Jun 2020 Accepted: 7 Jul 2020 Published: 19 Jul 2020

Academic Editor: A Thione Copy Editor: Cai-Hong Wang Production Editor: Tian Zhang

Abstract
Aim: Although not very popular, the olecranon bone graft is a useful option for this type of operation due to the
minimal donor morbidity and its ease of use in small bone defect reconstruction and non-union therapy. To our
best knowledge, few studies have evaluated the use of the olecranon bone graft as a treatment for non-union after
distal finger replantation. Our aim in this report was to present our experience of using olecranon grafts in our
nonunion patients undergoing distal replantations.

Methods: Between 2013 and 2019, a total of 14 patients who developed nonunion or had segmental bone defects
due to the injury were included in the study. Retrospectively the results were analyzed in terms of complication
and union rates.

Results: The mean follow-up period was 37 months (range 8-72 months). No major complications were seen
in the donor region or recipient regions. One patient developed necrosis in the nail bed and one patient had a
hematoma in the donor site. The minor complications were solved without any problem.

Conclusion: In conclusion, we found the olecranon bone grafting for the treatment of nonunion after distal finger
replantation is a safe and convenient method. It can be preferred as the first choice for nonunions of distal finger
replantations.

Keywords: Bone, olecranon, graft, replantation, nonunion

© The Author(s) 2020. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use,
sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, for any purpose, even commercially, as long
as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license,
and indicate if changes were made.

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