Papineau-irrigation technique: an alternative treatment of fracture-related infectious soft tissue defects

The original Papineau technique described satisfactory results in treating infection-related pseudarthrosis and chronic osteomyelitis with chronic draining wounds. We described our experience in treating these soft tissue defects using the Papineau-irrigation technique. We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients that were treated with the Papineau-irrigation technique at UZ Leuven, Belgium, between January 2006 and January 2023. All surgical procedures were performed by one senior orthopedic surgeon. There were no exclusion criteria. There was successful healing of the soft tissue defect in 27 out of 32 patients with serial drip irrigation. Additional debridement was often necessary. The Papineau-irrigation technique may provide a useful alternative for treating fracture-related soft tissue defects. In addition, this technique is safe and feasible. Further comparative studies are necessary to validate its efficacy.