Morel-Lavallee Lesion Associated with Subtrochanteric Femur Fracture in a Young Female Resulting in Extensive Soft-Tissue Necrosis and Hypertrophic Non-union Managed with Staged Surgeries and Exchange Nailing: A Rare Injury Pattern and Review of Literature

INTRODUCTION: Morel-Lavallee lesion is a closed degloving soft-tissue injury which occurs as a result of acute traumatic separation of skin and subcutaneous tissue from the underlying fascia and muscle layer. The most common sites include thigh (peritrochanteric region), abdomen, scapula, and paraspinal area. Early diagnosis and management of the lesion is essential so as to prevent complications such as infections or extensive skin necrosis. The management options include conservative or operative depends on extent, location of lesion, and duration since injury. For the management of underlying fracture, one should take into the consideration, the soft tissue compromises which can occur if lesion is large at presentation and plan accordingly for either primary definitive fixation or staged surgeries as necessary. CASE REPORT: A 25-year-old female patient presented with pain and swelling over the anterolateral aspect of the right thigh after a traumatic road traffic accident 2 days back. On radiological investigation, there was subtrochanteric femur fracture with a butterfly fragment. The patient also had Morel-Lavallee lesion on local ultrasound. Emergency management was done for Morel-Lavallee lesion in the form of percutaneous drainage and compression bandage; fixation was done in the form of external fixator. The wound progressed into complete skin necrosis so external fixator was removed and thorough wound debridement was done. Fracture stabilized with four TENS nails (titanium elastic nail). Removal of the TENS nail and exchange nailing in the form of intramedullary interlocking nail was performed after complete soft-tissue healing. Bony union seen at the fracture site clinically and radiologically at 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Initial screening of lesion is very important at time of presentation. Early definitive fixation should not be done if the lesion is large and one should fix the bone once the lesion is resolved.