Percutaneous bone grafting in the treatment of the delayed union and non-union of tibial fractures

The classic method of open bone grafting in the treatment of un-united tibial fractures has been associated with some complications. A novel, minimally invasive, percutaneous technique of bone grafting is described. Forty-one consecutive patients with delayed union or non-union of a tibial fracture was treated with percutaneous bone grafting from 1993 to 1999. The mean age of the patients was 41 (15-86) years. Twenty-seven patients had grade I-III open fractures. The fractures had initially been treated in a cast (n=26), external fixator (n=14) or intramedullary nail (n=1). Two patients had an earlier unsuccessful Phemister-Charnley-type bone-grafting procedure for delayed union. The mean interval from injury to percutaneous bone grafting was 21 (13-66) weeks. Thirty-seven of the 41 un-united fractures healed in 13 (10-48) weeks after the percutaneous bone grafting. The mean hospital stay was 1 day. No infections, bleeding or neural complications existed. Percutaneous bone grafting appeared to be as effective as open techniques, and possessed considerable advantages. It is safe, time saving and economical, it involves minimal trauma at the fracture site and it avoids major donor site problems.