2012•The Orthopedic Journal of ChinaRequires access
Experience of segment bone transport with the external fixator
Jun Wan
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Abstract
[Objective]To discuss the experience of segment bone transport with the external fixator for tibial nonunions with bone defect due to chronic osteomyelitis.[Method]Between January 1994 to January 2010,26 child patients(mean age,11.6 years) with tibial nonunion caused by chronic osteomyelitis were treated by segment bone transport.There were 15 males and 11 females,aged from 8 to 17 years.The mean length of the bone defect was 4.8 cm and the mean limb-length discrepancy was 5.3 cm.[Result]Twenty-six patients were followed up for a mean of 116 months.The average external fixation index was 48.0 d/cm.The extent of lengthening ranged from 5.8 to 15.1 cm(average,10.3 cm).Healing-rate was 100%.All the patients resumed the normal length of limbs.[Conclusion]Segment bone transport with external fixator is an effective treatment for massive postosteomyelitis bone defects and leg shortening.