Release of Extensive Post Traumatic Radio-Ulnar Synostosis with Vascularized Free Flap Interposition

Radioulnar synostosis is a rare complication after a forearm or elbow injury. The severity of initial trauma, associated head injury along with timing and the type of surgical treatment have been implicated in the formation of extra bone leading to synostosis. Surgical intervention is the standard treatment and is recommended after the maturation of synostotic bone. Surgery involves resection of the extra bone with or without tissue interposition. Materials used for interposition may include synthetic materials, allografts, and vascularized and non-vascularized autologous tissue superiority of one material over the other has not been demonstrated. Reported is a case of extensive soft-tissue defect and severe type II synostosis, with a relevant review of the literature. Level of Evidence Level IV.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43465-021-00395-5.