Autogenous bone peg fixation of the fibula flap in recurrent tibial osteomyelitis

Abstract

Chronic osteomyelitis is a difficult problem to treat, often being resistant to antibiotic treatment.1 A prolonged course of antibiotics and surgical intervention is required.2 In the case of limb salvage surgery, there is often a large bone defect that requires a vascularised bone flap for reconstruction.3 The conundrum is the choice of bone fixation, as internal fixation may foster a recurrence of infection.1,3 In the case of tibial osteomyelitis, the contralateral fibular bone flap is frequently one of the first and possibly the last choice for stabilization of the tibia.