TIBIALIZATION OF FIBULA FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF BIG TIBIAL DEFECTS (POST-TRAUMATIC, POST-INFECTIVE) BY ILIZAROV TECHNIQUE

Abstract

IntroductionReconstruction of large defect of tibia following infection is considered as one of the most difficult problem facing the orthopaedic surgeon. Amputation with modern prosthetic fitting is a salvage procedure to treat big defects, which gives a functional result with unpredictable psychological impact.Materials & MethodsBetween January 2000 and January 2021, 56 patients (30 males and 26 females) with big defects following infection and post traumatic injury of the tibia were treated. The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 20.5 years (4–24 years). The fibula was mobilized medially to fill the defect and was fixed with Ilizarov fixator. The average size of the defects reconstructed was 18.5 cm (17–20 cm).ResultsThe average time for complete union was 8.6 months (range, 5–9 months). At final follow-up all patients had fully united. We found leg length discrepancy in 52 patients and that was corrected by re-lengthening of the solid new regenerate boneConclusionsThe Ilizarov method has been shown to be an effective method of treating Tibialization of fibula for reconstruction of big tibial defects.