An Experience of Bone Bridge Resection and Free Fat Interposition for Partial Epiphyseal Plate Closure

During the period from 1979 to 1987, bone bridge connecting epiphysis to metaphysis was removed and replaced with a free fat transplant for partial epiphyseal plate closure in 7 patients. Bone bridge resection and free fat interposition was repeated in one patient. Average age of the patients was 9.2 years and sites of epiphyseal plate closure were distal femur in 6 patients and proximal tibia in one patient. The causes of closure were physeal fracture(4), infection(2) and a complication of intramedullary nailing(1). The mean follow-up period was 3 years 9months. Tomograms specifically determine the location and the extent of bone bridge. Successful results which mean spontaneous correction of angular deformity or decreased limb length discrepancy, were obtained in 3 patients. Although deformity recurred or limb length discrepancy was increased somehow, some benefits were obtained in another 2 patients. Benefits from the procedure was negligible or questionable in 2 patients. The poor results were seemingly related to physeal closure following infection and larga size of bone bridge. Bone bridge resection and free fat interposition was considered to be effective method for the treatment of the partial epiphyseal plate closure in the selected cases.