A sixty year old underwent attempted open reduction and internal fixation of a humeral shaft fracture. The fixation failed and was removed but resulted in an infected nonunion of the humerus with significant bone loss. Antibiotic beads had been placed and the patient had an open draining wound.
At this point, she presented to Harborview Medical Center for treatment of her complex nonunion.
She was treated with irrigation and debridement of the infection, stabilizing with a locked plate, insertion of antibiotic beads into the bone defect and bacteria-specific intravenous antibiotics.
After 10 weeks, she was brought to the operating room for bone grafting. An intramedullary fibular allograft as well as autograft from her ipsilateral femur were placed. Intraoperative cultures were negative for continued infection.
At seven month follow-up, she had successful healing of her humeral shaft fracture with no infection and no pain. She had returned to all baseline activities and was happy with her outcome.
Authored By:
Daphne M. Beingessner, M.D.
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