Ipsilateral fibular transfer as a salvage procedure for large traumatic tibial defects in children in an austere environment.

Large tibial defects present a challenging scenario for the orthopaedic surgeon, particularly in the paediatric patient. Most management options, such as the vascularised fibular graft or Ilizarov technique, require microsurgical techniques or specialist equipment. In an austere environment, acute shortening or limb amputation may be most appropriate. However, limb salvage may be achieved by ipsilateral fibular transfer. In a one-stage operation, the fibular graft is harvested and either placed in the tibial defect in an intramedullary position or secured to the tibia with screws. We present two paediatric cases where this approach was used to preserve the lower limb despite extensive explosive trauma. In the first case, an 11 cm tibial defect was managed with an ipsilateral fibular graft. The graft was placed in an intercalary position proximally, with medial displacement of the ankle and fixation of the fibula as a strut graft. In the second case, a 10 cm tibial defect was managed with an ipsilateral fibular graft, using intercalary placement proximally and distally. Both children returned to weight bearing with crutches within several months of surgery. For large tibial defects, ipsilateral fibular transfer is an effective one-stage operation that represents a viable alternative to amputation in austere environments.

Chronic exertional compartment syndrome after minor injury to the lower extremity.

Since the 1950s, chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the lower leg has been thoroughly reported in the literature. The predisposing factors and pathophysiology of this condition, however, still are not fully understood. We present a case of a well-conditioned individual who developed a chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the left lower leg anterior compartment after a direct blow injury during a softball game. Trauma is not routinely implicated as a risk factor for chronic compartment syndrome, and the literature on this topic is scarce. We suggest that trauma, even low-velocity trauma, may precipitate a chronic exertional compartment syndrome. We review the literature regarding chronic exertional compartment syndromes preceded by trauma and offer explanations regarding the mechanisms by which a traumatic event may induce a chronic compartment syndrome.