Acute shortening versus bone transport for the treatment of infected femur non-unions with bone defects

Sen C., Demirel M. C., Saglam Y., Balci H. İ., Eralp L., Kocaoglu M.

INJURY-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THE CARE OF THE INJURED, vol.50, no.11, pp.2075-2083, 2019 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 50 Issue: 11
  • Publication Date: 2019
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.injury.2019.08.021
  • Journal Name: INJURY-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THE CARE OF THE INJURED
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.2075-2083
  • Keywords: Acute shortening, Bone transport, Infected non-unions of the femur, Bone defect, INTRAMEDULLARY NAIL, DISTRACTION OSTEOGENESIS, EXTERNAL FIXATOR, OSTEOMYELITIS, COMPLICATIONS, COMPRESSION, DEBRIDEMENT
  • Istanbul University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Background: The bone transport technique has been a well-known method in the treatment of osteomyelitis of the long bones with large segmental bone defects. However, one of the major drawbacks with this traditional technique is the long-lasting consolidation period, which may entail infectious and noninfectious complications. To overcome this drawback, several techniques were developed, one of which is acute shortening and re-lengthening. The aims of this study were: 1) to present our experience with a new modified technique of acute shortening and re-lengthening using a monolateral external fixator combined with a retrograde intramedullary nail, and 2) to compare its results with the classic Ilizarov bone transport method in the management of infected non-unions of the distal femur with bone loss.