[Reccurent tibial osteomyelitis after the segmental bone transport: a radical interdisciplinary treatment]

Long-term or recurrent osteomyelitis results in the deterioration of soft tissue quality at the site of an infectious process. An insufficient perfusion of the scar tissue contributes to difficult treatment of osteomyelitis. A local transpositional or free muscle flap used to replace the vulnerable scar tissue will enhance perfusion of the affected bone and will help to control osteomyelitis. The authors present the case of a patient who had been treated by bone transport for a 14-cm-long segmental defect of the tibia after post-traumatic osteomyelitis. Recurrent osteomyelitis was found nine years after the primary surgery. The whole tibial cavity was opened leaving a 12-mm-wide trepanation opening, and debridement of all necrotic and inflammatory tissue including dystrophic skin was performed. The Orr technique was used for further treatment. There was no relapse and granulation tissue samples repeatedly gave negative culture results. Therefore, at the second stage, the soft tissue defect was covered with a free latissimus dorsi muscle flap. Anastomoses to the recipient vessels were technically difficult to carry out in the tissue greatly affected by previous chronic inflammation. Ten days after the surgery the patient was allowed to stand and walk, full weight-bearing was allowed at 2 months post-operatively when the flap was completely integrated. At 6-year follow-up the extremity was fully weight-bearing, with no recurrence of infection, and the patient was satisfied with the outcome. The authors regard this interdisciplinary management (extensive bone and soft tissue debridement, free muscle flap transfer) as a method indicated for the treatment of recurrent tibial osteomyelitis.