Arnab Bhar
BACKGROUND Vascular supply of the fibula assumes importance during trauma and surgical procedures in the leg region, as the fibula is a donor for bone grafts, and is also used in vascularized bone microsurgery. We studied the location, direction, and number of diaphyseal nutrient foramina in a random sample of 100 dry fibulas of unknown origin. METHODS 100 dry adult fibulas, of unknown origin were used. Total length (T) of the fibula, and distance of the nutrient foramen from the upper end were measured, using an osteometric board, and sliding calipers. RESULTS The diaphyseal nutrient foramen was single in 85%, double in 11%, absent in 4% of cases, and directed away from the growing end (87%), located in the middle 1/3 of the shaft (FI 34-66), on the posterior surface, or the borders bounding this surface (100%). CONCLUSIONS Our study provides detailed information about the location and number of nutrient foramina in the fibula in a random sample of the population of Eastern India.
