[Retrograde tibial intramedullary nailing with the Flex Nail--treatment of tibial fracture in an unusual case].

We report a case by a 75 year old female patient suffering a third-degree open fracture of the shinbone with a severe damage of the soft tissue. Primary operation was a temporary fixation with a fixateur externe and a radical debridement of the soft tissue with vacuum-sealing. Ten days later we did the definitive surgery. Osteosynthesis was done by a retrograd nailing with the flexible unreamed humerus nail (Flex-Nail) through the medial ankle. The defect of the soft tissue was treated by a muscle flap and meshgraft transplantation. Healing of the soft tissue and beginning consolidation of the fracture comes after 4 months. In our opinion the retrograd inserted Flex-Nail is a good option for treatment of compound fractures of the lower leg in special cases.