Distal humeral septic non-union treated with debridement and vascularized fibular transfer: case report and review of the literature

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2019 Apr;23(2 Suppl):12-18. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_201904_17469.

Abstract

Clinical management of a septic non-union of the distal humerus is challenging and is complicated by the diversity of potential treatments which are variably successful. We report a novel and very successful treatment of a 58-year-old man presenting an infected non-union of the right distal humerus, secondary to a closed fracture initially treated with two anatomic plates. After hardware removal, a two-stage reconstruction was performed. Bone and soft-tissue debridement was performed, followed by vascularized fibular transfer and free iliac bone crest chips fixed with plates and screws. Consolidation was achieved within three months, and a very good elbow function was presented two years thereafter. This technique shows great promise for improved management of large segmental infected bone defects of complete articular distal humeral fractures, above many currently recognized treatments.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bone Transplantation*
  • Debridement*
  • Fractures, Ununited / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Humeral Fractures / surgery*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Surgical Flaps*
  • Treatment Outcome