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Background Forearm nonunion is a rare condition in children, and its treatment is usually successful. However, nontraumatic nonunion can be resistant to treatment. Although the vascularized fibular bone graft has been frequently used for complex forearm nonunion, there is no consensus on the best treatment method. In this study, we aimed to investigate the outcome of the antegrade posterior interosseous bone flap (PIBF) in treating children with complex radius nonunion. Methods The participants consisted of 3 girls and 1 boy ranging from 31 months to 9 years of age. They were treated with PIBF surgery, and the nonunion of the radius was fixed with a plate or an external fixator. The nonunion was due to congenital pseudoarthrosis, osteogenesis imperfecta, or infantile osteomyelitis. All patients were evaluated for a clinical and radiologic union. Results The radiologic union was achieved 2 to 3 months after the surgery in all cases. The functional recovery of the elbow, forearm, and wrist was satisfactory except for 1 patient who experienced donor site fracture, and finally radioulnar synostosis accompanied by radial head dislocation. Conclusion Because of the simplicity of its technique and short duration of surgery, PIBF can be a reliable and less-demanding alternative to vascularized fibular bone graft in the treatment of complex forearm nonunion in children. Level of evidence Level IV.

Complex distal humerus fractures are difficult to fix by conventional methods, especially in comminuted low distal humerus fractures. We propose a technique using small diameter K-wires and a plate on the humeral shaft.Between May 2007 and March 2009, 19 patients with poor bone quality showing comminuted or low distal humerus fractures involving the articular surface were referred to our institution and were primarily treated by this technique that we called "pin and plate fixation". We have reviewed all the cases treated by this method.The average age was 46 years. All of the patients were followed up for a mean of 12 months and had a good range of motion (the average total arc of flexion-extension was 99°); the average Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score was 18 points. The Mayo Elbow Performance Index was measured and the mean score was 88 in our patients.In this study, a technique has been evaluated for the treatment of complex distal humerus fractures. We recommend this technique in comminuted, osteoporotic or low distal humerus fractures in which other fixation methods seem difficult or even impossible.

To introduce a method that can be performed with minimal equipments available to most orthopedic surgeons and precludes the extensive anesthetic and ablative requirements.A percutaneous lead tunnel was first established in the cortex next to the nidus under computerized tomography guidance with local anesthesia; then the nidus was curetted in the operating room through the lead tunnel. The study was performed in Shariati Hospital in Tehran, Iran, from September 2002 to December 2005.Nineteen patients were treated with this method with 94.7% cure rate. The diagnosis was histologically confirmed in 16 cases (84.2%). Failure occurred in one patient. The patients had a mean follow-up of 13.5 months with no recurrence of symptoms with mean hospitalization time of 1.6 days.This technique is simple, minimally invasive and effective. It needs no especial equipments and provides the material for tissue diagnosis.