Vascularized posterior interosseous pedicled bone grafting for infected forearm nonunion

Abstract

Infected forearm nonunion is challenging to treat. We have used a vascularized pedicled bone graft from the distal ulna based on the posterior interosseous artery to treat forearm nonunion with current or previous signs of infection in six patients. Bone union was achieved after a mean of 3.8 months. After a mean follow-up of 25.7 months, no signs of persistent or reactivation of infection were seen in any patient. The mean Quick DASH score significantly improved from 77.4 to 17.6. In addition, the active range of motion of the wrist improved significantly after surgery. In our patients, a vascularized posterior interosseous pedicled bone from the distal ulna is a reliable vascularized bone graft for managing infected forearm nonunion. The Level of evidence of this study is 4.