One-stage emergency treatment of open tibial shaft fractures with bone loss. Specifics and indications

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to report our experience in the reconstruction of severe tibial shaft fractures in emergency treatment. PATIENTS: Five male patients were admitted to the emergency room with a grade IIIB open tibial shaft fracture with bone loss, one patient with a grade IIIA open tibial fracture with massive articular bone loss and one patient with a grade IIIC open tibial fracture. INTERVENTION: Primary one-stage management was the same for the five patients with a grade IIIB: debridement, stabilization by locked intramedullary nailing, bone grafting from iliac crest. Skin loss was covered in the same operative time using free muscle flaps (four latissimus dorsi, one gracilis). For the patient with massive articular and diaphyseal bone loss, a vascularized fibula transfer with arthrodesis was performed one day after the trauma. For the patient with grade IIIC open tibial fracture, a shortening was performed in emergency treatment. RESULTS: The average follow-up was 21 months (range: eight months to 3.5 years). Partial weight-bearing was started at three months and the time of full weight-bearing was five months after the trauma. No angular complication and no non-union were observed. We noted one superficial infection without osteitis. All fractures healed within five to ten months (mean: 8.5 months). At the last follow-up, ankle and knee motion was normal and no pain was noted, except for the patient who had an arthrodesis and another who had associated lesions. CONCLUSION: We think that "aggressive" emergency management for severe open tibial fractures gives good results. It significantly reduces tissue loss from infection and improves healing and rehabilitation times.