Treatment of infected defect pseudoarthrosis of the tibia by in situ fibular transfer in children

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of in situ fibular transfer in the treatment of infected defect pseudoarthrosis in childhood. Four cases with infected defect pseudoarthrosis of the tibia were treated with debridement, sequestrectomy and two-staged ipsilateral fibular transfer. The mean age of the patients was 7.5 (2-11) years. Mean follow-up period was 9.5 (6-13) years. In all cases infection was resolved and tibia-fibular synostosis was achieved. The diameter of the transferred fibula increased significantly with regard to the unaffected fibula. None of the patients had limitation of joint motion or shortening more than 1 cm. This technique is a good method for treatment of infected defect pseudoarthrosis of the tibia.