Partial Fibulectomy for Non - union of the Tibia

Kim, Key Yong; Cho, Duk Yun; Kwak, Ho Yoon; Moon, Seong Cheol

Abstract

One may sometimes complicated with non-union of the tibia with intact fibula or comparatively early united fibular fracture during the cause of treatment of crural fractures. So that the fibula is to strut the tibial fragment preventing effective contact. Several authors have sporadically reported the removal of a portion of fibula may increase potential compression force across the tibial fracture site and promote bony union of non-delayed union of the tibia. Partial fibulectomy was performed in 9 patients with established nonunion of the tibia at National Medical Center from 1975 to 1982. The results were as follows: 1. Healing occurred in 8 of the 9 cases, and average time to union was 7.4months after fibulectomy. 2. In one case performed B-K amputation due to intractable infection after partial fibulectomy. 3. The average shortening of the involved lower limb was about 1.9cm. 4. All cases did not have significant symptoms at the fibulectomy site after union. 5. Partial fibulectomy proved to be a relatively effective method for the treatment of nonunion of the tibia.