Impact of parathyroidectomy on quality of life in primary hyperparathyroidism.

Patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) frequently report symptoms that are associated with the disease and impact on their quality of life (QoL). While parathyroidectomy corrects calcium and PTH levels, its impact on improving patients' QoL is not clear. In this single centre prospective study, we aimed to assess the impact of a parathyroidectomy on PHPT patients' pre and post parathyroidectomy QoL over a period of three years and nine months. PHPT patients, undergoing parathyroidectomy, voluntarily completed a modified Pasieka Parathyroidectomy Assessment Score (PAS), a tool correlating 13 PHPT symptoms to QoL. Sixty patients with PHPT (mean age 64 years, female to male 4:1) were included in the study. Pre parathyroidectomy, the most common symptoms were: feeling tired easily (n = 58); being forgetful (n = 51); pain in the joints (n = 49); feeling irritable (n = 48) bone pain (n = 45); feeling weak (n = 45); mood swings (n = 42); and being thirsty (n = 42). Parathyroidectomy reduced severity of mean total PAS by 44%, improving from 509 to 284 (p < 0.01). A total of 77% (n = 46) of patients experienced some improvement of PAS. The five most severe symptoms (highest reported individual PAS) showed a significant reduction post parathyroidectomy (p < 0.01): feeling tired easily (mean PAS 65 vs 38); pain in the joints (52 vs 31); being thirsty (46 vs 22); being forgetful (45 vs 28); and bone pain (45 vs 27). Patients with PHPT demonstrated impaired QoL as evidenced by the PAS, and assessing this is valuable in treatment planning. Parathyroidectomy impacts the symptoms that most affect QoL and significantly improves overall QoL in these patients.

Leiomyoma of submandibular gland.

Leiomyoma is a benign tumour of smooth muscle origin. Leiomyoma arising in major salivary gland is under-reported. We report a case of a woman in her 40s with a submandibular gland tumour which represented a diagnostic challenge during preoperative assessment. The core needle biopsy of submandibular gland tumour revealed a spindle cell tumour suggestive of an undifferentiated tumour. As a malignancy could not be excluded, the submandibular gland tumour was removed en bloc with surrounding lymph nodes in level Ib of the neck. Leiomyoma may be included in the differential diagnosis of spindle cell salivary gland tumours, particularly when there are no signs of infiltration and preoperative investigations are inconclusive.

Incidence of post-surgical hypoparathyroidism (POSH) after total thyroidectomy.

Post-surgical hypoparathyroidism (POSH) is a recognised complication of total thyroidectomy, leading to hypocalcaemia and its associated adverse effects. This retrospective study aimed to determine the incidence of POSH and identify perioperative predictors for its development. Data from patients who underwent total or completion thyroidectomy between January 2017 and July 2022 were retrospectively analysed. The incidence of POSH was assessed, and patients were categorised into transient or prolonged POSH at six months postoperatively. Potential predictors for POSH were investigated including gender, histological diagnosis, and preoperative thyroid function. A total of 133 adult patients were included in the study. The incidence of patients recovering from transient POSH within six months was 15%, and 5% had prolonged POSH beyond six months of surgery. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels normalised in 83% of prolonged POSH patients within 14-33 months, reducing the incidence of persistent POSH to 0.75%. Despite normal PTH levels, overall, 3% had persistent marginally low calcium levels (mean 2.11 mmol/L) in keeping with relative parathyroid insufficiency. Histological diagnosis of malignancy was the only significant risk factor for both transient and prolonged POSH (RR 2.95, CI 1.54 to 5.67, p = 0.001) in this cohort. Cautious capsular dissection during thyroidectomy and protection of the parathyroid glands and vascular supply produce a low incidence of POSH. Although the vast majority of patients with POSH recover after six months, hypocalcaemia may persist due to relative parathyroid insufficiency, requiring long-term calcium supplementation. Further research is needed to determine the best strategies for preventing and treating this condition.

Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgery for indeterminate thyroid nodules (THYCOVID): a retrospective, international, multicentre, cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Since its outbreak in early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has diverted resources from non-urgent and elective procedures, leading to diagnosis and treatment delays, with an increased number of neoplasms at advanced stages worldwide. The aims of this study were to quantify the reduction in surgical activity for indeterminate thyroid nodules during the COVID-19 pandemic; and to evaluate whether delays in surgery led to an increased occurrence of aggressive tumours. METHODS: In this retrospective, international, cross-sectional study, centres were invited to participate in June 22, 2022; each centre joining the study was asked to provide data from medical records on all surgical thyroidectomies consecutively performed from Jan 1, 2019, to Dec 31, 2021. Patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules were divided into three groups according to when they underwent surgery: from Jan 1, 2019, to Feb 29, 2020 (global prepandemic phase), from March 1, 2020, to May 31, 2021 (pandemic escalation phase), and from June 1 to Dec 31, 2021 (pandemic decrease phase). The main outcomes were, for each phase, the number of surgeries for indeterminate thyroid nodules, and in patients with a postoperative diagnosis of thyroid cancers, the occurrence of tumours larger than 10 mm, extrathyroidal extension, lymph node metastases, vascular invasion, distant metastases, and tumours at high risk of structural disease recurrence. Univariate analysis was used to compare the probability of aggressive thyroid features between the first and third study phases. The study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05178186. FINDINGS: Data from 157 centres (n=49 countries) on 87 467 patients who underwent surgery for benign and malignant thyroid disease were collected, of whom 22 974 patients (18 052 [78·6%] female patients and 4922 [21·4%] male patients) received surgery for indeterminate thyroid nodules. We observed a significant reduction in surgery for indeterminate thyroid nodules during the pandemic escalation phase (median monthly surgeries per centre, 1·4 [IQR 0·6-3·4]) compared with the prepandemic phase (2·0 [0·9-3·7]; p<0·0001) and pandemic decrease phase (2·3 [1·0-5·0]; p<0·0001). Compared with the prepandemic phase, in the pandemic decrease phase we observed an increased occurrence of thyroid tumours larger than 10 mm (2554 [69·0%] of 3704 vs 1515 [71·5%] of 2119; OR 1·1 [95% CI 1·0-1·3]; p=0·042), lymph node metastases (343 [9·3%] vs 264 [12·5%]; OR 1·4 [1·2-1·7]; p=0·0001), and tumours at high risk of structural disease recurrence (203 [5·7%] of 3584 vs 155 [7·7%] of 2006; OR 1·4 [1·1-1·7]; p=0·0039). INTERPRETATION: Our study suggests that the reduction in surgical activity for indeterminate thyroid nodules during the COVID-19 pandemic period could have led to an increased occurrence of aggressive thyroid tumours. However, other compelling hypotheses, including increased selection of patients with aggressive malignancies during this period, should be considered. We suggest that surgery for indeterminate thyroid nodules should no longer be postponed even in future instances of pandemic escalation. FUNDING: None.

Intraductal Carcinoma: The Carcinoma In Situ of the Salivary Gland.

Intraductal carcinoma of the salivary gland (IDC) is a rare in situ neoplasm of the salivary gland with similar features to the ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast. This report aims to present the clinical presentation and histological features of IDC. The authors present a 90-year-old gentleman with an indurated and painless tumor within the right parotid. Preoperative diagnostics, including fine needle aspiration cytology, ultrasound scan, and magnetic resonance imaging, were suggestive of Warthin tumor. The tumour was excised by extracapsular dissection. The patient is disease free within the follow-up period of 33 months. Intraductal carcinoma is an indolent phenotype with only a few reported cases with nodal metastases, and to the best of our knowledge, no cases have been reported with distant metastases. Complete surgical excision is recommended to prevent a recurrence. The knowledge of this underreported salivary gland malignancy is important to prevent misdiagnosis and insufficient treatment.

Parathyroidectomy for adults with primary hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), a disorder in which the parathyroid glands produce excessive amounts of parathyroid hormone, is most common in older adults and postmenopausal women. While most people with PHPT are asymptomatic at diagnosis, symptomatic disease can lead to hypercalcaemia, osteoporosis, renal stones, cardiovascular abnormalities and reduced quality of life. Surgical removal of abnormal parathyroid tissue (parathyroidectomy) is the only established treatment for adults with symptomatic PHPT to prevent exacerbation of symptoms and to be cured of PHPT. However, the benefits and risks of parathyroidectomy compared to simple observation or medical therapy for asymptomatic and mild PHPT are not well established. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the benefits and harms of parathyroidectomy in adults with PHPT compared to simple observation or medical therapy. SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, LILACS, ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO ICTRP from their date of inception until 26 November 2021. We applied no language restrictions. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing parathyroidectomy with simple observation or medical therapy for the treatment of adults with PHPT. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used standard Cochrane methods. Our primary outcomes were 1. cure of PHPT, 2. morbidity related to PHPT and 3. serious adverse events. Our secondary outcomes were 1. all-cause mortality, 2. health-related quality of life and 3. hospitalisation for hypercalcaemia, acute renal impairment or pancreatitis. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of the evidence for each outcome. MAIN RESULTS: We identified eight eligible RCTs that included 447 adults with (mostly asymptomatic) PHPT; 223 participants were randomised to parathyroidectomy. Follow-up duration varied from six months to 24 months. Of the 223 participants (37 men) randomised to surgery, 164 were included in the analyses, of whom 163 were cured at six to 24 months (overall cure rate 99%). Parathyroidectomy compared to observation probably results in a large increase in cure rate at six to 24 months follow-up: 163/164 participants (99.4%) in the parathyroidectomy group and 0/169 participants in the observation or medical therapy group were cured of their PHPT (8 studies, 333 participants; moderate certainty).  No studies explicitly reported intervention effects on morbidities related to PHPT, such as osteoporosis, osteopenia, kidney dysfunction, urolithiasis, cognitive dysfunction or cardiovascular disease, although some studies reported surrogate outcomes for osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. A post-hoc analysis revealed that parathyroidectomy, compared to observation or medical therapy, may have little or no effect after one to two years on bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine (mean difference (MD) 0.03 g/cm2,95% CI -0.05 to 0.12; 5 studies, 287 participants; very low certainty). Similarly, compared to observation, parathyroidectomy may have little or no effect on femoral neck BMD after one to two years (MD -0.01 g/cm2, 95% CI -0.13 to 0.11; 3 studies, 216 participants; very low certainty). However, the evidence is very uncertain for both BMD outcomes. Furthermore, the evidence is very uncertain about the effect of parathyroidectomy on improving left ventricular ejection fraction (MD -2.38%, 95% CI -4.77 to 0.01; 3 studies, 121 participants; very low certainty). Four studies reported serious adverse events. Three of these reported zero events in both the intervention and control groups; consequently, we were unable to include data from these three studies in the pooled analysis. The evidence suggests that parathyroidectomy compared to observation may have little or no effect on serious adverse events (RR 3.35, 95% CI 0.14 to 78.60; 4 studies, 168 participants; low certainty).  Only two studies reported all-cause mortality. One study could not be included in the pooled analysis as zero events were observed in both the intervention and control groups. Parathyroidectomy compared to observation may have little or no effect on all-cause mortality, but the evidence is very uncertain (RR 2.11, 95% CI 0.20 to 22.60; 2 studies, 133 participants; very low certainty). Three studies measured health-related quality of life using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and reported inconsistent differences in scores for different domains of the questionnaire between parathyroidectomy and observation. Six studies reported hospitalisations for the correction of hypercalcaemia. Two studies reported zero events in both the intervention and control groups and could not be included in the pooled analysis. Parathyroidectomy, compared to observation, may have little or no effect on hospitalisation for hypercalcaemia (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.20 to 4.25; 6 studies, 287 participants; low certainty). There were no reported hospitalisations for renal impairment or pancreatitis. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: In accordance with the literature, our review findings suggest that parathyroidectomy, compared to simple observation or medical (etidronate) therapy, probably results in a large increase in cure rates of PHPT (with normalisation of serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels to laboratory reference values). Parathyroidectomy, compared with observation, may have little or no effect on serious adverse events or hospitalisation for hypercalcaemia, and the evidence is very uncertain about the effect of parathyroidectomy on other short-term outcomes, such as BMD, all-cause mortality and quality of life. The high uncertainty of evidence limits the applicability of our findings to clinical practice; indeed, this systematic review provides no new insights with regard to treatment decisions for people with (asymptomatic) PHPT. In addition, the methodological limitations of the included studies, and the characteristics of the study populations (mainly comprising white women with asymptomatic PHPT), warrant caution when extrapolating the results to other populations with PHPT. Large-scale multi-national, multi-ethnic and long-term RCTs are needed to explore the potential short- and long-term benefits of parathyroidectomy compared to non-surgical treatment options with regard to osteoporosis or osteopenia, urolithiasis, hospitalisation for acute kidney injury, cardiovascular disease and quality of life.

Anti PD-1 Checkpoint Inhibitor As a First-Line Treatment for Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have become an essential part of cancer treatment. Anti-programmed cell death receptor-1 (PD-1) is a monoclonal antibody that targets PD-1. For patients with inoperable cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, anti-PD-1 ICI treatment has been approved as monotherapy or in adjunct with other treatment modalities. A patient primarily treated with PD-1 inhibition for local advanced moderately differentiated cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma involving the parotid and the neck is presented. Surgical therapy would be extensive including pinnectomy, radical parotidectomy, neck dissection, resection of the temporal and mastoid bones, and free flap reconstruction. Anti-PD-1 ICI was started as a first-line treatment and a complete clinical response was observed after 5 cycles of treatment. The patient is disease-free within the follow-up period of 17 months. Although a complete response to anti-PD-1 receptor antibodies was observed, off-target toxicities are a risk and not all patients will benefit from a response.

Sialocele of Submandibular Gland, an Unreported Complication of Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy.

ABSTRACT: Bilateral sagittal split osteotomy is a routine procedure with predictable and well-known complications. The authors report a thitherto unreported complication of bilateral sagittal split osteotomy presenting as a postoperative sialocele of submandibular salivary gland tissue in the floor of the mouth. The sialocele was probably caused by overinstrumentation and injury to sublingual salivary tissues or Wharton's duct during bicortical drilling or screw fixation. This iatrogenic sialocele was managed conservatively with multiple aspiration and compression dressings. Although rare and unreported so far this complication may be included in the preoperative consent process.

Giant parathyroid tumours in primary hyperparathyroidism: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Giant parathyroid adenoma (GPA) can present with severe biochemical derangement similar to the clinical presentation of parathyroid carcinoma (PC). This study aims to present the current evidence on surgical management of GPAs in primary hyperparathyroidism. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature on GPAs was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Data on clinical, biochemical, preoperative diagnostic, and surgical methods were analysed. RESULTS: Sixty-one eligible studies were included reporting on 65 GPAs in eutopic, ectopic mediastinal, and intrathyroidal locations (61.5%, 30.8%, and 7.7%, respectively). A palpable neck mass was present in 58% of GPAs. A total of 90% of patients had symptoms including fatigue, skeletal pain, pathological fracture, nausea, and abdominal pain. Ninety percent of patients had significant hypercalcaemia (mean 3.51 mmol/L; range: 2.59-5.74 mmol/L) and hyperparathyroidism with PTH levels on average 14 times above the upper limit of the normal reference. There was no correlation between the reported GPA size and PTH nor between GPA weight and PTH (p = 0.892 and p = 0.363, respectively). Twenty-four percent had a concurrent thyroidectomy for suspicious features, intrathyroidal location of GPA, or large goitre. Immunohistochemistry such as Ki-67, parafibromin, and galectin-3 was used in 18.5% of cases with equivocal histology. Ninety-five percent of GPAs were benign with 5% reported as atypical adenomas. CONCLUSION: The reported data on GPAs are sparse and heterogeneous. In GPAs with suspicious features for malignancy, en bloc resection with concurrent thyroidectomy may be considered. In the presence of equivocal histological features, ancillary immunohistochemistry is advocated to differentiate GPAs from atypical adenomas and PCs.

The Role of Topical Anesthetics in the Treatment of Pediatric Facial Lacerations.

PURPOSE: Pediatric facial lacerations (PLACS) are a common emergency, often requiring a general anesthetic (GA) or sedation if infiltration of local anesthetic (LA) cannot be tolerated. Topical anesthetics are a well-established and accepted alternative to infiltrations for facial lacerations which can reduce the need for general anesthesia. We report our experience following the introduction of topical 5% cocaine w/v and 1:2000 adrenaline gel (TCA) in a single center. METHODS: A secondary data analysis of 11 months attendances with PLACS following the introduction of TCA as part of a service improvement project. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients had wounds suitable for use of TCA. Twenty-three patients were treated with TCA, 14 with TCA alone and 9 with top-up local anesthetic infiltration (TCA + LA). Fourteen patients were treated using LA alone and 16 underwent GA. No adverse reactions were recorded. CONCLUSION: Topical anesthetics are a safe and effective alternative to infiltration of local anesthetic for PLACS and can be used to avoid the additional risks posed by sedation or GA. We recommend more departments introduce a topical anesthetic for this purpose.

Giant parathyroid adenoma and challenges with preoperative differentiation from malignancy.

Giant parathyroid adenomas are rare and underreported benign tumours of parathyroid gland. Preoperative differentiation between giant parathyroid adenoma (GPA) and parathyroid carcinoma can be challenging, as they both may present as a large parathyroid tumour with hyperparathyroidism. Very few GPAs had been described in the literature, with only 60 cases including our present case. We report a case of GPA and the preoperative diagnostic challenges we faced in differential diagnosis of a potential parathyroid malignancy. As a parathyroid malignancy could not be excluded preoperatively the parathyroid tumour was excised en bloc with surrounding thyroid lobe. The histology was contributory to exclude parathyroid malignancy confirming a benign GPA.

Intravenous cannula used for continuous intraoral mandibular nerve block in trigeminal neuralgia.

Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain condition affecting one or more distributions of the trigeminal nerve. Patients with this condition experience short, sharp, shooting pain attacks, which can progress to longer, more frequent durations. The pain is often difficult to control. We report of a man who was admitted with severe neuralgia of the third division of the trigeminal nerve. Talking and any oral intake triggered a severe agonising pain. The latter made the regular oral intake of analgesia challenging. The pain was temporarily controlled with frequent local anaesthesia (LA). Dental core trainees were performing regular inferior alveolar nerve blocks which significantly improved patients' condition allowing him to communicate and have oral intake. Subsequently, a catheter was placed allowing for a continuous anaesthesia. The connecting tube of the cannula was then used by nursing staff to administer LA providing pain relief without the need of repeated intraoral injections.

Multiple idiopathic cervical root resorption: Case report of an unusual presentation.

Idiopathic cervical root resorption (ICRR) is a rare condition involving the cemento-enamel junction of the teeth. Multiple idiopathic cervical root resorption (MICRR) involves several teeth with an unknown prevalence and aetiology. The resorptive lesions are often detected on routine radiographs or during clinical examination. The defects are often painless, hence they are usually diagnosed late and in an advanced stage when diagnosed clinically. The restoration of MICRR can be demanding with subsequent loss of the teeth affected. In this report, we describe the case of a 16-year-old female with MICRR, the therapeutic challenges and clinical burden for this young patient over a period of approximately 5 years.

Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint leading to an epidural abscess.

Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is rare, but patients with this diagnosis are at high risk for significant morbidity. We present a case of a 15-year-old man who presented with increasing trismus for 3 days. He had only minimal discomfort and swelling of the right cheek and temporal region, and pericoronitis of an impacted wisdom tooth was suspected. Under intravenous antibiotics, pain subsided, but trismus and a slight swelling remained. CT scan showed septic arthritis of the TMJ with an abscess formation penetrating into the epidural space. Immediate drainage and craniotomy were performed. Under intravenous antibiotics, the patient made a full recovery. The source of infection remained undetermined. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of septic arthritis of the TMJ spreading into the epidural space.

Nonvascularized Cartilage Grafts Versus Vascularized Cartilage Flaps: Comparison of Cartilage Quality 6 Months After Transfer.

PURPOSE: Subchondral perfusion of osteochondral grafts has been shown to be important in preventing long-term cartilage degeneration. In carpal reconstruction, subchondral perfusion from the graft bed is limited. This study's purpose was to compare the histological characteristics of cartilage in osteochondral grafts supported by synovial imbibition alone to cartilage of vascularized osteochondral flaps that have both synovial and vascular pedicle perfusion. METHODS: Two adjacent osteochondral segments were harvested on the medial femoral trochlea in domestic 6- to 8-month-old pigs. Each segment measured approximately 12 mm × 15 mm × 17 mm. One segment was maintained on the descending geniculate artery vascular pedicle. The adjacent segment was separated from the pedicle to serve as a nonvascularized graft. A thin layer of methylmethacrylate cement was used to line the harvest site defect to prevent vascular ingrowth to the subsequently replaced specimens. The pigs were maintained on a high-calorie feed and returned to ambulation and full weight-bearing on the surgical legs. The animals were sacrificed after 6 months and the specimens were reharvested, sectioned, and examined. The cartilage was graded by 2 pathologists blinded to the origin of specimens as vascularized flaps or nonvascularized grafts. RESULTS: All specimens were assigned scores utilizing the International Cartilage Repair Society grading system. Scoring for chondrocyte viability, cartilage surface morphology, and cell and matrix appearance was significantly higher in the vascularized osteochondral group than in the graft group. CONCLUSIONS: When deprived of subchondral perfusion from underlying bone, osteochondral vascularized flaps in an intrasynovial environment demonstrate superior cartilage quality and survival compared with nonvascularized grafts. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In locations in which perfusion from surrounding bone may be limited (ie, proximal scaphoid or proximal lunate reconstruction), articular reconstruction using vascularized osteochondral flaps will yield superior cartilage organization and architecture than nonvascularized osteochondral grafts. The clinical and functional relevance of this finding requires further study.

Floor-of-Mouth Hematoma Following Dental Implant Placement: Literature Review and Case Presentation.

PURPOSE: The authors provide a structured review of reported cases of floor-of-mouth hematoma during or after dental implantation and frequent causes and management and present a related case. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online search of the medical literature was conducted from 1990 through 2016. The following search terms were used: floor of mouth hematoma, sublingual hematoma, dental implant hematoma, implant in mandible, and complication of dental implant. Abstracts were screened for relevance to the aims of the review. Relevant reports in the English language were included and referenced. The articles were reviewed for patient demographics, implant location, coagulopathy, pre- or postoperative imaging, airway management, treatment of the hematoma, and management of the offending implant. RESULTS: The literature search identified 25 reported cases. Hemorrhage was caused by perforation of the lingual cortex in 84% of cases (n = 21). Airway obstruction resulted in emergency intubation or tracheostomy in 68% of patients (n = 17). Most cases (n = 18; 72%) required surgical management in the hospital setting. Management of the offending implant was reported inconsistently. Of 17 reported cases, 5 implants had to be removed, 9 remained in situ, and in 3 cases implant placement was abandoned. Only 1 case involved preoperative 3-dimensional (3D) imaging before implant insertion. The authors report on an additional case with a serious floor-of-mouth hematoma that required immediate surgical evacuation and hemostasis. CONCLUSION: Serious complications, such as floor-of-mouth hematoma after dental implant insertion, can occur, which could be life-threatening. Preoperative 3D imaging helps to visualize the individual mandibular shape, which could decrease the incidence of serious complications. If injury to vessels of the floor of the mouth cannot be confidently excluded, then further assessment and treatment are recommended before the patient is discharged.

Arterialized Venous Bone Flaps: An Experimental Investigation.

In arterialized venous flaps (AVFs) the venous network is used to revascularize the flap. While the feasibility of AVFs in soft tissues has been reported there is no study on osseous AVFs. In this study we aim to assess the flap survival of osseous AVFs in a pig model. Medial femoral condyle flaps were elevated in 18 pigs. Three groups were created: AVF (n = 6), conventional arterial flap (cAF, n = 6) and bone graft (BG, n = 6). The AVFs were created by anastomosis of genicular artery with one vena comitans while leaving one efferent vein for drainage. After 6 months the specimens were harvested. The histology and histomorphometry of of the bone in cAF and AVF was significantly superior to bone grafts with a higher bone volume in AVFs (p = 0.01). This study demonstrates that osseous free flaps may be supported and survive using the technique of arterialization of the venous network. The concept of AVFs in osseous flaps may be feasible for revascularization of free flaps with an inadequate artery but well developed veins. Further experimental and clinical studies are needed to assess the feasibility of clinical use of arterialized venous bone flaps.