Surgical treatment options for septic non-union of the tibia: two staged operation, Flow-through anastomosis of FVFG, and continuous local intraarterial infusion of heparin.

Background: The treatment of septic non-union of the tibia is a challenging area.　The objective of this clinical study was to improve the treatment outcomes in patients with a highly active infection by the three strategies consisting of a two-staged operation, a flow-through technique for vascular anastomosis of a free vascularized fibular graft (FVFG), and continuous local intra-arterial infusion of heparin.

Patients & Method: Five patients with septic non-union of the tibia who were treated with an FVFG (mean age: 52.8 years) were enrolled.　The mean postoperative follow-up period was 47.2 months, and the mean length of the bone defect was 111 mm.　A two-staged operation, in which polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) beads containing antibiotics were inserted into a bone defect followed by bone reconstruction performed with an FVFG later.　Vascular anastomosis was performed with the flow-through technique in all patients.　Immediately after FVFG, heparin was continuously infused through a femoral arterial catheter for 1 week.

Result: Bone union was confirmed an average of 18.8 weeks after-surgery in all patients without reoperation for thrombus.

Conclusion: Our attempt to apply the strategies appears to be a viable treatment option for septic non-union of the tibia.