Lower limb salvage surgery using Ilizarov circular external frame for a landmine injury about the knee

Limb salvage for severe trauma has been replaced amputation as the primary treatment in many trauma centers. However, the long-term outcomes after limb reconstruction or amputation have not been fully evaluated. In this report, we present the treatment results of limb salvage surgery using Ilizarov external circular frame in a male case who had a-22-cm bone loss on the left distal femur and left proximal tibia and large soft tissue defect around the knee due to stepping on a landmine with his knee. The decision to amputate a severely injured limb, being irreversible, is challenging and significantly affects the body image and the patient. Extremity salvage surgery should be considered initially when evaluating patients with high-energy injured limbs at high risk for amputation.