Double-barrel Free Fibula for Segmental Defect of Ulna and Radius: Case Report

Introduction - Post traumatic complex defects of the forearm require multiple operations and prolonged rehabilitation. Segmental bony defects of the radius and ulna are occasionally seen as part of these complex wounds. There are a few options in bridging the skeletal defect. These include corticocancellous bone grafting, creation of a one bone forearm and vascularised fibula. Vascularised bone grafting is superior in an ischemic and fibrosed area as it enhances local blood supply. The fibula is usually used to bridge the defect in one bone i.e. the radius. Case presentation – A young male presented with an open comminuted fracture of radius and ulna following a crush injury to the left upper limb. The reconstruction was done in two stages – first a pedicled thoracoumbilical flap for soft tissue and in later stage a double barrel free fibula flap for segmental bone loss. Conclusion – The above approach offered the best chance of skeletal healing in a complex defect. The patient was able to gain reasonably good upper extremity function with the described technique.

Multidisciplinary Treatment for a Young Patient With Severe Maxillofacial Trauma From a Snowmobile Accident: A Case Report

This clinical report describes the oral rehabilitation of a 15-year-old male patient who was involved in a snowmobile accident and suffered multiple mid-face and mandibular fractures. Consequences of the accident included avulsion of teeth numbers 5 to 10 and 21 to 26, and a significant amount of maxillary and mandibular anterior alveolar bone loss. The patient underwent open reduction and rigid fixation of the fractured left zygoma, comminuted LeFort I maxillary fracture, and left body of the mandible; closed reduction of the bilateral condylar fractures; autologous corticocancellous bone grafting to the maxilla and mandible; implant placement; and prosthesis fabrication. This multidisciplinary approach successfully restored function and esthetics.

Immediate Corticocancellous Bone Autografting in Segmental Bone Defects of the Hand

We performed a retrospective analysis of 12 type III open hand fractures in seven patients with segmental bone loss and associated soft tissue injuries to determine the effectiveness of immediate autologous corticocancellous bone grafting. Radical débridement and fracture fixation were performed prior to bone grafting. Results were interpreted according to clinical and radiologic time of bony healing, rate of infection, time to return to regular work duty, grip strength, rate of complications and range of motion. The final union rate was 92%, with a mean time to bony union of 18 weeks. The infection rate was 0%. The mean time to return to regular work duty, including recovery time after secondary surgeries, was 5 months and 21 days. All patients returned to their pre-injury employment. The mean total active motion of the combined metacarpophalangeal proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints in bone-grafted digits was 178±53° at final follow-up.

DISI DEFORMITY AND POST-OPERATIVE SYMPTOMS OF SCAPHOID NON-UNION

The correlation between the residual dorsal intercalated segmental instability (DISI) deformity and symptoms of the wrist was investigated in 20 patients with healed scaphoid non-union who had open reduction and bone grafting. In seven patients, inlay corticocancellous bone grafting (modified Russe procedure) was performed. In four of the seven patients, an additional Herbert bone screw was used for internal fixation. The remaining 13 patients were treated with open reduction, anterior bone grafting, and internal fixation with Herbert bone screw. Average duration of follow-up period after operation was 20 months (range, 6 to 57 months). The average extension-flexion arc of the injured wrists was 129°, which was 31° less than that of the uninjured wrists. The average grip strength of the injured wrists was 89% of that of the uninjured wrist. Before the operation, all 20 patients were symptomatic and complained of wrist pains. Post-operatively, three patients experienced mild pains and only one complained of moderate wrist pains. Post-operative radiolunate angle ranged from 0° to 34° (average 10°). DISI deformity remained uncorrected in eight patients. Post-operative symptoms were compared amongst the eight patients who had DISI deformity and 12 patients who had no deformity. There was no significant difference in range of motion, grip strength, and incidence of pain between these two groups of patients. The presence of DISI deformity after bone grafting for a symptomatic scaphoid non-union was not predictive of post-operative symptoms of the wrist.