The place of early posterior intertibiofibular bone-grafting in the treatment of infected non-unions of the leg

Abstract

The authors present a series of 22 cases of fistular non-unions of the leg treated by posterior intertibiofibular bone grafting (GITP), between 1982 and 1984. The average follow-up was 6 years (3–9 years). Healing occured in 16 cases within 326 days after GITP alone, 3 needed complementary grafting, and there were 2 failures (1 amputation). The authors emphasise the value of the early posterior retrofibular approach. This procedure should be done early where there is extensive bone loss, or in severe compound comminuted fractures.