SIMULTANEOUS FREE-TISSUE TRANSFER AND ILIZAROV DISTRACTION OSTEOSYNTHESIS IN LOWER-EXTREMITY SALVAGE - CASE-REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

The last decade has witnessed the refinement of microvascular tissue t ransplantation and its application in treating difficult open wounds. Nonetheless, severe type III tibial injuries continue to challenge rec onstructive surgeons. The clinical presentation and surgical treatment of a type IIIB tibial fracture, complicated by long-standing chronic osteomyelitis, angulation deformity, and bone shortening, is presented . This case illustrates the benefit of combining microvascular transpl antation of distant tissues with the Ilizarov technique of distraction osteosynthesis in the treatment of complicated lower extremity injuri es.