[Massive spongioplasty and external fixation in the posttraumatic pseudoarthrosis management--a case review]

The authors of this case review present three cases of posttraumatic pseudoarthroses as complications of open fractures of the forearm and the course of their treatment. External fixation with the Ilizar external fixation apparatus and bridging spongioplasty was applied in all patients. In the first presented case, the external fixation and spongioplasty was required after resection of the atrophic posttraumatic pseudoarthrosis. In the remaining two cases, furthermore, transposition of the distal fragment of the radius using distraction in order to correct its position against the distal part of the ulna, was required. The pseudoarthroses healed in all three subjects. The case review highlights the key significance of the external fixation method and the massive spongioplasty.