A study of the nutrient foramina in the shaft of the fibula

Sexual Dimorphism of the Nutrient Foramen of the Fibula and Its Importance in Vascularised Bone Grafting: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Vascularised fibular bone grafting is widely used in many reconstructive surgeries to repair bony defects. It is very essential for the nutrient blood supply to be conserved in the vascular bone graft. Understanding the sexual differences of the fibular nutrient foramen can help operating surgeons make appropriate changes in their clinical methodologies according to the sex. The present study was done to evaluate the sexual dimorphism of fibular nutrient foramen and its clinical importance in the adult central Indian population.

Methods

This descriptive cross-sectional study was done on 136 dry adult central Indian human fibula bones of known sex (male: 68 and female: 68). The presence of nutrient foramen, their numbers, relation with fibular surfaces, and distance from the styloid process were assessed and were then clinically correlated.

Results

In males, single-nutrient foramen and double-nutrient foramina were seen in 92.65% and 7.35% of fibula, respectively. Whereas in females, single-nutrient foramen and double-nutrient foramina were seen in 95.59% and 4.41% of fibula, respectively. The position of the nutrient foramen and the fibular length showed significant sexual variation.

Conclusions

This study concludes that among both sexes, the single fibular nutrient foramen in the middle third segment was the most prevalent. Compared to the female population, the male population demonstrated a broader location of the nutrient foramen.

Three-dimensional topography of scapular nutrient foramina

Purpose

The aim of this study is to describe the number and location of the nutrient foramina in human scapulae which can minimize blood loss during surgery.

Methods

30 cadaveric scapulae were macerated to denude the skeletal tissue. The nutrient foramina of 0.51 mm and larger were identified and labeled by adhering glass beads. CT scans of these scapulae were segmented resulting in a surface model of each scapula and the location of the labeled nutrient foramina. All scapulae were scaled to the same size projecting the nutrient foramina onto one representative scapular model.

Results

Average number of nutrient foramina per scapula was 5.3 (0–10). The most common location was in the supraspinous fossa (29.7%). On the costal surface of the scapula, most nutrient foramina were found directly inferior to the suprascapular notch. On the posterior surface, the nutrient foramina were identified under the spine of the scapula in a somewhat similar fashion as those on the costal surface. Nutrient foramina were least present in the peri-glenoid area.

Conclusion

Ninety percent of scapulae have more than one nutrient foramen. They are located in specific areas, on both the posterior and costal surface.