Open Intra-articular Distal Femur Fracture with 21 cm Bone Loss Managed by Early Vascularized Fibula Grafting and Antibiotic Loaded Synthetic Calcium Sulfate Beads – A Case Report

INTRODUCTION: Open fractures with massive bone defect presents as challenging clinical scenario in clinical practice. If neglected, this can result in infection, non-union or severe limb length discrepancy. Autogenous vascularized fibula grafting along with stable fixation in the form of internal fixation is a viable option in such situations. Synthetic calcium sulfate is a suitable antibiotic carrier to deliver antibiotics locally to prevent infection. We report the case of an adult male who had an open fracture of the distal femur with segmental bone loss of 21 cm, managed with autogenous vascularized fibula graft and locking plates. We used antibiotic-loaded absorbable synthetic calcium sulfate beads locally during the procedure. CASE REPORT: A 52-year-old male, a known case of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, presented to the emergency department with a comminuted open intra-articular fracture of the left distal femur with bone loss of 21 cm (arbeitsgemeinschaft fur osteosynthesefragen 33C3) following a road traffic accident. He was initially treated with meticulous debridement and internal fixation with locking compression plate. Considering the massive bone defect of 21 cm, he was planned for fibula grafting at a later stage. After 6 weeks, he underwent vascularized fibula grafting from opposite leg and an additional medial plate to stabilize the graft and augment the initial fixation. He was on regular follow-up in the outpatient department. The fracture united with no signs of infection or residual limb length discrepancy. At the latest follow-up at 7 months, he is walking independently without support and is having a functional range of knee movements. There were no post-operative complications in the right leg from where fibula was harvested. CONCLUSION: Autogenous vascularized fibula graft together with a locking compression plate is a practical choice in managing open fractures with segmental bone loss. The high concentration of local antibiotic delivery with the help of synthetic calcium sulfate beads helped prevent infection, which is the most dreaded complication associated with open fractures. In addition, the calcium sulfate beads promote endochondral ossification resulting in early bone union.