Resection debridement of the lower leg with compensatory callus distraction

In fractures with severe soft tissue defects and exposed bone, so much bone is resected in the fracture zone that the soft tissue defect can be closed with shortening of the lower leg. Subsequent osteotomy of the compact layer and callus distraction (Ilizarov method) at another level restores the tibia to its former length. Ten patients were treated, with an average healing time of 39 days per centimeter of lengthening. In all cases healing was achieved. Five patients had complications but none had any permanent sequelae. The hypermetabolism of the cell organelles in all kinds of tissue during the distraction period has a good effect on the healing of wounds and osteomyelitis. The healing process is short, so that patients are only in hospital for a relatively short time.