J Korean Fract Soc.  2011 Apr;24(2):178-184. 10.12671/jkfs.2011.24.2.178.

Thermal Injury Complicating Improperly Reamed Intramedullary Nailing of the Tibia: A Case Report

• Kim BK
• Shin HD
• Hwang JM

• KMID: 2183862
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2011.24.2.178

Abstract

Endosteum and bone marrow thermal necrosis caused by reaming during tibial intramedullary nail insertion, and unskilled operation of soft tissue penestration by reamer resulted in chronic osteomyelitis and soft tissue defect. So, several times of free flaps were done but the result was unsuccessful. At last, the authors performed radical necrotic bone resection and internal bone transport using Ilizarov external fixator. The authors report case with literature review.

Keyword

Tibia; Thermal necrosis; Reaming; Ilizarov; Internal bone transport

MeSH Terms

Bone Marrow
External Fixators
Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary
Free Tissue Flaps
Nails
Necrosis
Osteomyelitis
Tibia

Figure

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  Fig. 1 (A, B) Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs show displaced fracture of tibia and fibula due to rolling over. (C, D) Closed reduction and internal fixation using interlocking intramedullary nail was performed.

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  Fig. 2 (A~D) CT angiogram was taken before the anterolateral free flap on right lower leg. No remarkable finding in external iliac artery to popliteal artery but anterior tibial artery, posterior tibial artery and peroneal artery were not preserved on the right side.

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  Fig. 3 (A, B) 3 phase whole body bone scan with Tc-99m HDP was performed before the anterolateral thigh free flap on right lower leg and shows the perfusion and spatial distribution of tibial sequestration due to thermal necrosis.

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  Fig. 4 (A, B) Photographs of the patient's right lower leg after the anterolateral thigh free flap was performed and failed. The tibial shaft was exposured and the soft tissue defection was approximately 7.3×2.5 cm. (C) Fibular osteocutaneous free flap was performed.

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  Fig. 5 (A, B) 3 phase whole body bone scan with Tc-99m HDP was performed after the fibular osteocutaneous free flap, and shows chronic osteomyelitis of the right tibia.

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  Fig. 6 (A, B) Postoperative anteroposterior and lateral radiographs. Radical necrotic bone resection (100 mm) and bifocal Ilizarov frame was inserted.

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  Fig. 7 (A, B) Follow up study at three months after operation. Internal transport was finished and consolidation of regenerates was visible, and bone graft and bone marrow injection was performed at the docking site.

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  Fig. 8 (A, B) Follow up study at one years after operation. The quality of bone was excellent and union was successful.

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  Fig. 9 Follow up photos at 2 years after operation. (A) She hasn't felt both limb length discrepancy and angulations despite there were multiple scars. (B) The dorsiflexion of ankle was possible as 95 degrees. (C) The patient's knee flexion was as possible as 100 degrees in standing position, and (D) full extension was available.

Reference

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2. García OG, Mombiela FL, De La Fuente CJ, Aránguez MG, Escribano DV, Martín JV. The influence of the size and condition of the reamers on bone temperature during intramedullary reaming. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2004. 86-A:994–999.

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