Treatment of a Ballistic Radius Fracture with Segmental Bone Loss Using the Masquelet Technique in a Child

Abstract

Case:A 4-year-old boy sustained an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound to the left forearm. Radiographs revealed a comminuted mid-diaphyseal ballistic radius fracture with a critical-sized bone defect. The fracture was treated with the placement of a flexible intramedullary nail and antibiotic cement spacer, followed by second-stage bone grafting and open reduction and internal fixation of the radius 6 weeks later. Four months after the second-stage procedure, the radial defect healed appropriately without complications.Conclusion:In this case of a pediatric comminuted mid-diaphyseal radius fracture with bone loss, the induced membrane technique resulted in healing across a critical-sized bone defect.