Induced membrane technique for reconstruction of a 25 cm humerus diaphyseal defect secondary to chronic osteomyelitis in an adolescent

Abstract

The surgical treatment of long bone defects in septic environments remains a challenge for any orthopedic surgeon. The two-stage reconstruction technique described by Masquelet AC is a better alternative in our regions where expertise in microsurgical techniques is rare. We report our first experience with this technique through the reconstruction of the humeral diaphyseal bone defect. We presented a 12-year-old boy diagnosed with chronic osteomyelitis of the left humerus with sequestrum, a pathologic fracture with overly joint involvement. The first stage consisted of a sequestrectomy removing the entire humerus shaft (25 cm) with conservation of the humerus paddle followed by the implantation of cement spacer into the bone defect and stabilization with 2 Kirschner wires (22/10th) and a thoraco-brachial cast. Eleven months later, we performed a cancellous autograft associated with a free non-vascularised fibula graft (12 cm). The bone corticalisation was obtained after 11 months. At the 43-month follow-up, despite joint stiffness and unequal length of brachial segments, the patient and his parents were satisfied.

Keywords

• children
• chronic osteomyelitis
• free non-vascularised fibula graft
• induced membrane technique