Jt. Kao et C. Comstock, REIMPLANTATION OF A CONTAMINATED AND DEVITALIZED BONE FRAGMENT AFTER AUTOCLAVING IN AN OPEN FRACTURE, Journal of orthopaedic trauma, 9(4), 1995, pp. 336-340
This case report describes a technique for dealing with open fractures
with segmental bone loss and a critical need for restoration of anato
mical alignment. In the majority of cases, autogenous bone graft can a
nd should be used successfully. Regardless of the treatment option cho
sen though, meticulous debridement and sound judgment in regards to wo
und care and bony stabilization remain the foundation to a successful
outcome. Autoclaving a devitalized bone fragment with subsequent reimp
lantation as described in this case report, although not the procedure
of choice, does offer the orthopaedist another option in dealing with
the difficult segmental fracture.