Acute Shortening and Gradual Lengthening for a Comminuted Tibia Fracture with Massive Bone and Soft Tissue Defect: Case Report

ABSTRACT

Traditional management of comminuted tibia fractures with massive bone and soft tissue defect includes soft tissue coverage and bone grafting. However, this method requires a large flap and a substantial amount of bone graft. Acute shortening can reduce the amount of required soft tissue and bone graft. We report a case of open tibia and fibula fracture with severe bone and soft tissue defect that was successfully treated by acute shortening of the tibia with immediate fibular strut bone graft and then by gradual lengthening of the tibia at its proximal metaphysis.