Masquelet technique for the treatment of a severe acute tibial bone loss

•Synthetic strategies for heterometallic 3d–4f discrete complexes are proposed.•The nature of 3d and 4f electrons and its influence on syntheses and magnetic properties are analyzed.•Diverse structural topologies for 3d–4f single-molecule magnets (SMMs) are categorised and summarised.•The magnetic properties of 3d–4f SMMs are surveyed and summarised.•Magneto-structural correlations of 3d–4f SMMs are discussed to give basic rules for the design and synthesis of 3d–4f SMMs.

The “induced membrane” technique described by Masquelet has been used successfully for many years for posttraumatic bone defect reconstruction, non-unions and osteomyelitis. The main advantages are the two-step surgical procedure that in case of primary infection allows repeated debridement if necessary, in case of internal fixation early weight bearing with decreased malalignment risk and it has a short learning curve. A theoretical application of this procedure is the management of acute severe traumatic bone loss of the limbs despite the lack of this experience in literature. We report on a Gustilo IIIB meta-epiphyseal fracture (AO 43-C3) of the leg with a 6 cm in length bone loss that was treated with the Masquelet technique.