Masquelet technique for the treatment of acute osteomyelitis of the PIP joint caused by clenched-fist human bite injury: A case report

INTRODUCTION: The Masquelet technique is a well-known and efficient procedure for lower limb soft tissue reconstruction after severe osteomyelitis requiring bone excision. However, this technique is rarely used in the hand. PRESENTATION OF CASE: The patient was 38-year-old man. We used this technique to reconstruct a proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint osteochondral defect after osteomyelitis caused by clenched-fist human bite injury. The pathogen was Prevotella intermedia, which is an anaerobic pathogenic bacterium involved in periodontal infections and is a black-pigmented periodontal pathogen. Following completion of the Masquelet method, the bone remodeled at an angle at the PIP joint. DISCUSSION: Prevotella intermedia is known as Bacteroides melaninogenicus subsp. intermedius. When the infection site is black-pigmented, this pathogen is highly suspected. The Masquelet technique is rarely used in the hand, and when used, it has been in a straight fashion in the hand. We were able to reconstruct a more anatomical, bent PIP joint, and the fixed angle of the PIP joint at 40° of flexion using Masquelet technique. CONCLUSION: The angled joint resulting from this technique created a relatively normal permanently bent PIP joint.