The results of treatment of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) are frequently unsatisfactory because of the need
for multiple operations for recalcitrant nonunion, residual deformities, and limb-length discrepancies (LLD). Although the
etiology of CPT is basically unknown, recent reports suggest the periosteum is the primary site for the pathologic processes
in CPT. We hypothesized complete excision of the diseased periosteum and the application of a combined approach including
free periosteal grafting, bone grafting, and intramedullary (IM) nailing of both the tibia and fibula combined with Ilizarov
fixation would improve union rates and reduce refracture rates. We retrospectively reviewed 20 patients at two centers. The
minimum followup was 2 years (mean, 4.3 years; range, 2–10.7 years). Union was achieved after the primary operation in all
patients. Ten refractures occurred in eight of the 20 patients (two each in two patients, one each in six patients). Seven
patients underwent seven secondary surgical procedures to simultaneously treat refracture and angular deformities. We used
bisphosphonate as adjuvant therapy in three patients with refracture without subsequent refracture. We performed no amputations
in these 20 patients. All patients were braced through skeletal maturity. Combining periosteal and bone grafting, IM nailing,
and Ilizarov fixation is an effective treatment. IM nailing decreases the severity of subsequent fracture.
Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
One author (DP) is a consultant for Smith & Nephew, Inc. (Memphis, TN) and receives royalties from Pega Medical (Laval, Quebec,
Canada).
Each author certifies that his or her institution has approved the human protocol for this investigation, that all investigations
were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research, and that informed consent for participation in the study
was obtained.