Autologous segmental tibia bone transfer in the treatment of distal tibia Gustilo-Anderson type-III open fracture: A case report

INTRODUCTION: We present the results of a two-stage reconstruction performed with autologous segmental tibia bone transfer on a distal tibia Gustilo-Anderson type-IIIC open fracture in this paper. Our aim is to discuss the results of this surgery, potential failures and complications in our procedures, and ways to protect against osteolysis. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 20-year-old male who has undergone surgery in our clinic for a Gustilo-Anderson type-III open fracture of the left tibia using autologous tibia segmental bone transfer. The first operation consisted of removing the exposed bony fragment and placing it in the abdominal wall. Fifty days after the first operation, an intramedullary nailing operation was performed using the autologous bone fragment kept in the abdominal wall. Before the final procedure, we assessed the viability of the bone fragment using scintigraphy as well as the paprika sign was observed on the fragment during operation. Patient was seen in follow-up every three weeks to evaluate for successful osteosynthesis; however, osteolysis eventually established in the 7th month of follow-up. DISCUSSION: Specific treatment modalities with each having different advantages and disadvantages are a matter of debate in tibia fractures with bone and soft tissue loss. To our knowledge, there are no such cases reported in the literature of autologous tibia bone transfer for osteosynthesis with the fractured bone segment temporarily being stored inside the abdominal wall for nutritional supplementation. CONCLUSION: The osteosynthesis with autologous tibia bone transfer may be employed by saving the segment inside abdominal wall, if suitable conditions are provided.