Treatment of a case of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia-fibular osteosynthesis.

We report the results of a case of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia treated by tibiofibular synthesis. A 1-year old girl was first treated by intramedullary fixation followed by an intertibiofibular bone graft. This method failed. She then underwent a new operation that was associated two simultaneous approaches, correction of the axis, tibiofibular synthesis and a new intertibiofibular bone graft. Union was achieved four months later. The child has now been followed up for 20 years. During this time, she has led a normal life as we have observed a "tibialisation" of the fibula. Intramedullary fixation has a success rate of 75% but requires repetitive insertion of intramedullary or telescopic rods. Transplantar intramedullary rods are responsible for significant ankle stiffness. Tibiofibular synthesis associated with an intertibiofibular bone graft after correction of the axis is the equivalent of vascularised graft of the fibula but with neither the difficulties of microsurgery nor valgus deformities of the ankle.