Free vascularized fibular grafting in combination with a locking plate for the reconstruction of a large tibial defect secondary to osteomyelitis in a child: a case report and literature review

J Pediatr Orthop B. 2010 Jan;19(1):66-70. doi: 10.1097/BPB.0b013e328331c340.

Abstract

Although a large skeletal defect secondary to osteomyelitis in children is not an uncommon problem, there are no descriptions of the management of such a defect with a free vascularized fibular graft in combination with a locking plate. We performed such a technique, after radical debridement and systemic antibiotic treatment, on a 13-year-old boy suffering from a large 10 cm tibial defect secondary to osteomyelitis. Primary union of the graft was achieved at 6 months. No recurrence of osteomyelitis occurred in the 29-month follow-up period, and limb salvage and eradication of the infection were achieved successfully.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bone Plates
  • Bone Transplantation / instrumentation
  • Bone Transplantation / methods*
  • Cefuroxime / therapeutic use
  • Debridement
  • Fibula / blood supply
  • Fibula / transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Limb Salvage / methods*
  • Male
  • Osseointegration
  • Osteomyelitis / complications
  • Osteomyelitis / pathology
  • Osteomyelitis / therapy*
  • Radiography
  • Tibia / diagnostic imaging
  • Tibia / pathology
  • Tibia / surgery*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Cefuroxime