Posttraumatic tibial osteomyelitis: a comparison of three treatment approaches.

The treatment of 25 tibias in 25 patients with posttraumatic chronic osteomyelitis was reviewed. The approaches to soft tissue management fell into three groups: 1) muscle flap coverage; 2) primary closure with suction irrigation; and 3) open cancellous bone grafting. Treatment success was judged by the presence or absence of drainage and the local signs or symptoms of infection, and by the status of the tibial nonunion. Overall, 19 of 25 tibias (76%) had successful treatment. We found flap coverage to have a higher success rate (80%) than either primary closure with suction irrigation (45.5%) or open cancellous bone grafting (40%). These results further attest to the refractory nature of chronic osteomyelitis.