First-ever ankle arthrodesis with the Capanna technique in an infected open fracture

Abstract

Although bone transport by means of distraction osteogenesis has become the standard of care for massive segmental bone defects, the technique faces limitations such as the lengthy period of time during which patients must wear an external fixator. Thus, other techniques may be more appropriate in certain circumstances. Capanna developed a combination of vascularized fibular grafts and strut allografts in a way that the strut allograft provides with significant initial mechanical stability, which facilitates incorporation of a vascularized fibular graft and promotes long-term survival of the reconstruction. The case presented in this report is the first in the medical literature where a circular external fixator is used as a stabilization method in a patient with a structural bone deficiency treated by means of the Capanna technique. It is also one of the few reported cases where the underlying condition does not originate in a tumor and where the joint is involved.

Keywords: Arthrodesis; Bone defect; Capanna; External fixation; Infection; Osteomyelitis; Truelok.