Efficacious Enactment of Ilizarov for Mangled Forearm: A Case Report on Our Resolution for the Revitalization of a “Nearly Lost Limb”

INTRODUCTION: Mangled is the evocative term for a grievance caused by crushing, resulting in a limb confiscation. Motor vehicle crashes and industrial/farm accidents are the leading causes of such occurrences. The verdict to reconstruct or to amputate still commonly lies with the surgical skills and experience of the treating surgeon. CASE REPORT: We present a case of 33-year-old male military personnel involved in a road traffic accident who presented to our center with a mangled forearm with segmental fracture radius and fracture shaft of ulna with vascular injury. He was immediately taken up for early debridement, intramedullary fixation, vascular repair, and temporizing skin graft. After definitive soft-tissue flap coverage and a period of convalescence, the patient underwent Ilizarov external fixator application with successful rehabilitation. The patient achieved pain-free limb with functional range of motions of both elbow and wrist with functional capabilities of basic needs and activities of daily living. CONCLUSION: The combination of osseous, vascular, soft-tissue, and nerve injury after severe trauma to an extremity is a great challenge in the mangled extremity. However, in young patients without significant systemic involvement and borderline injury scores, limb salvage should be attempted.