Abstract
Chronic osteomyelitis is a complication of open fractures in children especially in rural areas. It is difficult to treat, and it may lead to infected non-union. We present a case of an open fracture Gustillo-Anderson grade IIIa complicated with chronic osteomyelitis. He presented with non-union six months post-trauma after the initial surgical debridement and bone resection. He was subsequently treated successfully with a temporary 3.5mm locking plate and synthetic bone graft. A temporary locking plate can stabilize the fracture site and provide additional advantage in terms of wound management and earlier joint motion in comparison with external fixation and cast.
Highlights
Chronic osteomyelitis is a complication of open fractures in children especially in rural areas
We present a case of an open fracture
Gustillo-Anderson grade IIIa complicated with infected non-union that is successfully treated with a temporary 3.5mm locking plate (LP) and synthetic bone graft
Summary
Chronic osteomyelitis is a complication of open fractures in children especially in rural areas. Wound debridement and external fixation (Figure 1a) of the fracture were done more than 12 hours post-trauma. He was given 2 weeks of intravenous antibiotics in ward and was discharged home well. During review at six months post-trauma, examination showed a right lower limb shortening of 3cm and the fracture site was mobile even though there was medial bridging callus seen on the radiographs (Figure 1d). Three months post-plating and bone grafting, bridging callus was seen at the fracture site on the right femoral radiographs (Figure 2b). Paediatric Infected Non-union of an Open Femoral Diaphyseal Fracture: The Role of Temporary Locking Plate and Bone Graft Substitute.Ortho Res Online J.
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