Septic non-unions of the leg treated by Papineau’s technique in the orthopedic traumatology department of Owendo University Teaching Hospital: About three observations

Abstract

Introduction: The management of septic non-union remains controversial. The Papineau technique is an alternative to achieve the objective of infection control and bone consolidation, in hospital structures where microsurgery is not available. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological aspects and evaluate the results obtained, in the department, after the use of this technique in three patients with septic leg non-union. Observations: These were three patients, all male, whose average age was 39.3 years with a range of 28 to 49 years, who presented a septic pseudarthrosis of the leg with bone defects, following of a road traffic accident and who were treated and followed in the department between May 2019 and May 2022. The three patients were treated using the Papineau technique and their evolution was marked by total wound healing and consolidation bone after a minimum of three months. Conclusion: septic non-union of the leg is the prerogative of young adult males, victims of road traffic accidents. The Papineau technique makes it possible to eradicate the infection and obtain bone consolidation. It has the advantage of being carried out with few resources and of being practiced in hospital structures with limited technical platforms.