RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Nonunion of long bones may often be associated with significant function loss of affected extremity, joint stiffness, and even extremity amputation or systemic manifestations in the case of infection. The aim of this case report is to highlight the possibilities of Ilizarov apparatus in the treatment of fracture nonunions of both lower legs treated by different operative methods and to show that it is not necessary to remove osteosynthetic material (intramedullary nail) in every case when nonunion occurs to achieve its recovery. CASE REPORT: A 62 year-old man was injured in a traffic accident as a pedestrian in April2012, when he experienced polytrauma, including shaft fracture of the right femur, and segmental open fractures of the right (Gustillo-Anderson grade I) and left (Gustillo-Anderson grade II) lower leg. The fractures of right femur and right tibia were stabilized initially with intramedullary nails, while the left lower leg fracture was treated by unilateral external fixator. After 5 months, there were no clinical and radiographic signs of union on lower legs, therefore the patient underwent re-surgery. Ilizarov apparatus was applied on both lower legs. The patient was early verticalized and both apparatus were removed after 4 months. According to the modified protocol of the Association for the Study and Application of Methods of Ilizarov, the lower leg bony results were good and excellent, and the functional results were excellent on both sides. CONCLUSION: Nonunion fracture of the right lower leg initially treated by the method of intramedullary osteosynthesis and afterwards by placing Ilizarov apparatus shows that in some cases it is not indicated to remove fixative material in order to achieve full recovery of fracture, thus eliminating the danger of all negative effects resulting from the classical extensive surgical treatment.
