OBJECTIVE: To explore the anatomic feature and clinical application of the bone (periosteum) flap pedicled with upper muscular branches of lateral femoral muscle. METHODS: The anatomic features and distribution of upper muscular branches of lateral femoral muscle were observed in the lower extremities of 40 adult cadavers. From February 1989 to February 1999, 7 cases with bone defect or nonunion of upper part of femur were treated with transfer of bone (periosteum) flap pedicled with upper muscular branches of lateral femoral muscle. RESULTS: The upper muscular branches of lateral femoral muscle originated from the transversal branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery. The musculoperiosteal branch and periosteal branch were originated at 16.8 +/- 3.0 cm below the greater trochanter. The diameter and length of musculoperiosteal branch were 1.4 to 1.7 mm and 2.7 to 5.6 cm, those of the periosteal branch were 0.4 to 0.6 mm and 1.2 to 1.5 cm respectively. Bone union achieved in 10 to 18 weeks after operation in all 7 cases after 18 to 42 months follow-up. The motion of hip joint reached 180 degrees in 4 cases, 120 degrees in 2 cases and 65 degrees in 1 case. The donor area recovered well. CONCLUSION: The bone (periosteum) flap pedicled with upper muscular branches of lateral femoral muscle is an effective alternative for repairing the bone defect or nonunion of the upper or middle part of femur.
OBJECTIVE: To introduce the operation method of treatment of nonunion of scaphoid bone by transfer of pedicled radial periosteal bone flap. METHODS: From Match 1986, 26 cases with old nonunion of scaphoid bone were treated by transfer of radial periosteal bone flap pedicled with recurrent branch of radial artery, the size of bone flap was 1.0 cm x 0.4 cm x 0.5 cm. RESULTS: All patients with old nonunion of scaphoid bone were healed by first intention, bone union was occurred after 2 to 3 months of operation, and wrist joint almost recovered normal function. CONCLUSION: It is an effective operation method to treat nonunion of scaphoid bone.
Objective To explore the effectiveness of Ilizarov external fixation without bone graft in the treatment of atrophic femoral shaft nonunion. Methods The clinical data of 12 patients with atrophic femoral shaft nonunion admitted between October 2010 and January 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 8 males and 4 females, aged from 24 to 61 years, with an average age of 41.7 years. The nonunion sites located in the middle and upper femur in 7 cases and in the distal femur or supracondylar in 5 cases. The disease duration ranged from 1 to 9 years, with an average of 3.7 years. Previous operations ranged from 1 to 9 times, with an average of 2.8 times. The original fixator was removed, the fracture end of nonunion was debrided, and Ilizarov external fixator was installed. In patients with the length of bone defect less than 4 cm, direct compression fixation was performed during operation; in patients with limb shortening more than 2.5 cm, proximal femoral osteotomy and bone lengthening components were required to prepare limb lengthening after operation; all patients did not receive bone graft. The wearing time of external fixator, clinical bone healing time of nonunion fracture end, and complications were recorded. The effectiveness was evaluated by Paley’s nonunion evaluation criteria. Results All patients were followed up 24-50 months, with an average of 30 months. Bony union was achieved in all 12 cases with a healing time of 6.0-23.5 months (mean, 11.5 months). The wearing time of external fixator ranged from 7 to 25 months, with an average of 13.5 months. At last follow-up, according to Paley’s nonunion evaluation criteria, the results were excellent in 6 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 2 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 83.3%. Sagittal angulation deformity of femur more than 7° occurred in 4 cases, with no significant effect on knee extension function, and no special treatment such as osteotomy was performed. Two patients had shorter limbs (>2.5 cm) after operation and were replaced by high shoes; 4 patients with trans-knee fixation lost knee joint mobility of 10-30° after operation; 10 cases of needle tract infection occurred, of which 4 cases with infection and loosening of fixed needle were replaced and re-fixed after needle extraction, the remaining 6 cases of infection without loosening of fixed needle were controlled by local dressing change, needle nursing, and oral cephalosporin anti-inflammatory drugs. No complications such as deep infection and vascular nerve injury occurred. Conclusion Ilizarov external fixation has a high healing rate for atrophic femoral shaft nonunion, which is relatively minimally invasive and can avoid bone grafting. Its preliminary effectiveness is exact, and it is also effective for patients who have experienced multiple failed operations. It is necessary to pay attention to the nursing and rehabilitation training after external fixation.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of locking compress plate (LCP) for the treatment of aseptic diaphyseal humeral nonunions. MethodsBetween January 2006 and January 2012, 23 patients with aseptic diaphyseal humeral nonuninons were treated with LCP and autologous iliac crest bone graft, and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. There were 15 males and 8 females with the average age of 42.5 years (range, 28-60 years). The fracture located at left side in 11 cases and right side in 12 cases. The mechanism of the injury was traffic accident in 15 patients, and falling from height in 8 patients. Fracture was treated by internal fixation in 20 cases and external fixation in 3 cases. And 6 patients had open fractures and other 17 had close fractures. Based on the Weber-Cech classification, 6 cases were rated as atrophic nonunions, and 17 cases as hypertrophic nonuninons. Shoulder function was evaluated by Constant-Murley score and elbow function was evaluated by Mayo score. ResultsAfter operation, 2 patients had transient radial nerve symptoms of numbness and 1 patient had superficial infection. Primary healing of incision was obtained in the other patients. All patients were followed up 22.22 months on average (range, 16-30 months). Normal range of motion of the shoulder was found in 11 cases; and limited movements of abduction, elevation, and posterior extension were observed in 12 cases. And osseous union was observed clinically and radiographically in all patients. The average union time was 16.95 weeks (range, 12-24 weeks). The average Constant-Murley score was 81.87 (range, 50-98); and shoulder function was excellent in 14 cases, good in 6, and fair in 3. And the average Mayo score was 87.78 (range, 70-96); and the result was excellent in 14 cases, good in 7, and fair in 2. ConclusionAseptic diaphyseal humeral nonunions can be successfully treated with LCP, coupled with the use of autologous iliac crest bone graft.
Objective To investigate the surgical treatment method and the curative effect of tibial nonunion with superficial peroneal vascular fascia pedicel tibiofibular periosteal flap. Methods From January 1996 to December 2008, 18 cases of tibial nonunion were treated with superficial peroneal vascular fascia pedicel tibiofibular periosteal flap, interlockingintramedullary nail ing and cancellous bone graft of distal tibial. There were 14 males and 4 females, with an average age of 32.5 years old (range, 24-67 years old). Fracture site was middle in 10 cases and distal in 8 cases. Primary injury cause included 12 cases of traffic accident and 6 cases of bruise. The tibial nonunion reasons were manual reduction and plaster immobil ization in 8 cases, small spl int immobil ization in 4 cases, intramedullary nail fixation in 2 cases (no bone graft), plate fixation in 4 cases (including 3 cases of plate fixation and free il iac bone graft). Nonunion occurred after the first surgery. The time from nonunion to operation was 8 to 16 months, with an average of 10.5 months. The size of periosteal flap was 7 cm × 5 cm and distal tibial cancellous bone graft volume was 5-10 g. Results All incision achieved heal ing by first intention after operation without flap necrosis and infection. All patients were followed up 6-36 months with an average of 20.8 months. All tibial nonunion healed 5-7 months after operation. According to Johner-Wruh scoring, the results were excellent in 14 cases, good in 3 cases, and fair in 1 case; the excellent and good rate was 94.4%. Conclusion Superficial peroneal vascular tibiofibularfascia pedicel tibiofibular periosteal flap and interlocking intramedullary nail ing can attain good results in treating nonunion of tibia and fibula because of being stable internal fixation and promoting the heal ing of nonunion.
Objective To explore the methods, fixation points, and effectiveness of staged therapy using external fixation frame in treatment of infectious nonunion near knee joint. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 60 patients with infectious nonunion near knee joint, who underwent staged therapy using external fixation frame between June 2021 and June 2024 and were followed up. There were 48 males and 12 females with an average age of 47.9 years (range, 16-70 years). The disease duration ranged from 9 months to 20 years, with a median duration of 14 months. Among them, 21 cases of infectious nonunion located in the distal femur, 36 cases in the proximal tibia, and 3 cases in the patella; 12 cases exhibited segmental bone defects (≥4 cm), while 48 cases presented with localized bone defects (<4 cm). Osteomyelitis was classified using the Cierny-Mader system, with 3 cases classified as type Ⅰ, 6 cases as type Ⅱ, 35 cases as type Ⅲ, and 16 cases as type Ⅳ. Preoperative C-reactive protein levels ranged from 15.1 to 55.8 mg/L (mean, 36.4 mg/L). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 35-80 mm/1 h (mean, 56.9 mm/1 h). The Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score for knee joint was 69.3±17.7 and the range of motion was (70.61±40.60)°. After debridement and placement of antibiotic carriers at the first-stage operation, unilateral orbital frames (n=14), combined frames (n=27), or Ilizarov frames (n=19) were used for cross joint fixation (n=9) or joint preservation fixation (n=51). After 6-8 weeks of infection control, the bone grafting or bone transport was performed at the second-stage operation based on the type of bone defect, with internal fixation employed as an adjunct if necessary. After operation, the infection control and fracture healing were observed and the bone healing time was recorded. The knee joint function was assessed using the HSS score, and the knee joint range of motion was measured as well as the angle of motion loss. Patients were grouped according to the site of nonunion, type of external fixation frame, and fixation method. The bone healing time, change value of HSS score, and knee joint range of motion loss (difference between pre- and post-operation) were compared between groups. Results All infection markers returned to the normal range within 6 weeks after the first-stage operation. All patients were followed up 12-48 months (mean, 22.0 months) after the second-stage operation. There were 5 cases of needle tract infection during the external fixation period, and 3 cases of infection recurrence after the second-stage operation, all of which were cured after symptomatic treatment. The bone healing time was 6-18 months (mean, 11.0 months). At last follow-up, the HSS score was 88.5±7.9 and the range of motion was (61.84±40.59)°, with significant differences compared to preoperative values (P<0.05); the knee joint range of motion loss was (8.77±11.07)°. The bone healing time was significantly longer in the distal femur group than in the proximal tibia group (P<0.05), and in the unilateral orbital frames group than in the Ilizarov frames group and the combined frames group (P<0.05). The angle of motion loss was significantly larger in the Ilizarov frames group than in the unilateral orbital frames group an the combined frames group (P<0.05). The change values of HSS scores were significantly higher in the cross joint fixation group than in the joint preservation fixation group (P<0.05). Conclusion During the first-stage operation, debridement is performed and antibiotic carriers are placed to control infection. External fixation frames are then precisely positioned based on the distance between the lesion and the joint surface, avoiding the infected wound while ensuring mechanical balance. During the second-stage operation, bone grafting options are selected according to the extent of bone defects to enhance the bone union. Postoperative early functional exercises of the knee joint are permitted to improve joint function.
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of percutaneous bone marrow graft for the management of nonunion of tibia. METHODS From March 1996 to June 2000, 56 cases with nonunion of tibia were treated by autogenous bone marrow graft. Among them, there were 38 males and 18 females, aged from 19 to 72 years. A marrow needle was inserted into the site of the nonunion under the X-ray, the autogenous bone marrow was injected into the site of nonunion. Compression bandage and appropriate immobilization material were applied after operation. This procedure was repeated every month, 2 or 3 times was needed. RESULTS 56 patients were followed-up for 4 months to 4 years and 2 months, averaged 2.8 years. Fracture healed in 53 cases and X-ray displayed fracture line disappeared and a great deal of continuous callus formed, and nonunion in 3 cases. CONCLUSION Percutaneous autogenous bone marrow graft can play a role in osteogenesis at the site of nonunion. It is easy to aspirate bone marrow and the operation is simple. It has clinical application value for the satisfactory effect.
Objective To analyze the causes and managing methods of long bone fracture nonunion after allogeneic bone transplantation. Methods From December 1995 to December 2000, 43 cases of postoperative nonunion of long bone fracture were treated. These cases included 31 males and 12 females at the age of 19-57 years (40 years on average). The locations were femur in 11 cases, tibia in 21 cases, humerus in 8 cases and forearm in 3 cases. Bone nonunionafter allogeneic bone transplantation was caused by extensive soft tissue contusion and poor cover around bone fractue site in 6 cases, by incomplete debridement in 8 cases of osteomyel itis (including 6 without continual lavage and 4 only skin flap transfer), by secondary infection of wounds in 3 cases, by severe primary injury or secondary scar covering bone in 12 cases, instable internal fixation in 7 cases, and by earl ier weight bearing in 7 cases. Accroding to Weber classification, there were 4 cases of hypertrophic type and 39 cases of atrophic type. Basing on the type of nonunion, the methods such as refixation, bone retransplantation and transferring tissue flap were chosen to manage the cases. Results Incision healed by first intention in 37 cases, superficial infection occurred and cured after 2 weeks of dressing change in 5 cases, and sinus formed and cured after 2 months of dressing change and drainage in 1 case. All transferring tissue flap survived, and partial necrosis occurred at flap edge in 4 cases and cured after dressing change. All patients were followed up for 38-91 months with an average of 54.6 months. All the nonunion cases achieved bone union 5-11 months with an average of 7.6 months. But low extreme shorten monstrosity occured in 4 cases, malunion in 2 cases, functional l imitation near joints in 7 cases, and rotational l imitation of forearm in 1 case. Conclusion Fracture nonunion after allogeneic bone transplantation mainly shows atrophic type with overall or partial absorption of the allograft bone. The preconditions to guarantee fracture nonunion heal ing include stabil ity of fracture fixation, using transferring tissue flaps, controll ing infection, and adequate bone transplantion.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness and method of Ilizarov technology for the treatment of infected forearm nonunion. MethodsBetween January 2004 and March 2014, 19 patients with infected forearm nonunion were treated, including 12 males and 7 females with a mean age of 37.4 years (range, 18-62 years). The injury causes included traffic accident in 11 patients, falling from height in 4 patients, and machine twist injury in 4 patients. The patients had received surgical treatment for 1-5 times (mean, 2.7 times). Bone defects located at the radius in 10 cases, at the ulna in 7 cases, and at the radius and ulna in 2 cases. The mean time of chronic infection was 8.3 months (range, 4-16 months). The mean length of the bone defects after debridement was 3.54 cm (range, 2.2-7.5 cm). Under the guidance of C-arm fluoroscope, the Orthofix unilateral external fixator was used to fix. Distraction was performed at 7-10 days after operation, and X-ray film was taken regularly to detect the osteogenesis. ResultsThe mean external fixation time was 6.5 months (range, 3-12 months), and the mean external fixation index was 1.72 months/cm (range, 1.14-2.15 months/cm). All patients were followed up for 35.4 months on average (range, 24-55 months). The bone union time was 3-11 months (mean, 6 months); and no recurrence of infection was observed. At last follow-up, the mean wrist range of motion (ROM) were 52.78° (range, 42-55°) in flexion and 46.53° (range, 40-60°) in extension; the mean elbow ROM were 139.23° (range, 130-150°) in flexion and 3.57° (range, 0-20°) in extension; and the mean forearm ROM were 76.68° (range, 68-90°) in pronation and 81.75° (range, 72-90°) in supination. ConclusionIlizarov technology for infected forearm nonunion can acquire satisfactory clinical results. Radical debridement is the key to control bone infection.
Objective To compare the outcomes between intramedullary nail change and augmentation plating with a retained intramedullary nail for aseptic nonunion of femoral shaft fractures after femoral nailing, and to analyze the cause so as to guide the clinical application. Methods Between June 2001 and June 2011, 28 patients with aseptic nonunion of femoral shaft fractures after femoral nailing were treated with intramedullary nail change (11 patients, group A) and augmentation plating with a retained intramedullary nail (17 patients, group B), and the clinical data were analyzed retrospectively. There was no significant difference in age, gender, smoking, location of fracture, Association for the Study of Internal Fixation (AO/ASIF) classification, type of injury, associated injury, type of nonunion, and time of nonunion between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The patients were followed up by imaging and the clinical function at regular intervals to observe the callus growth and the recovery condition of the affected limb function, and clinical curative effectiveness was evaluated by Tohner-Wrnch standard. Results The operation time, intraoperative bleeding volume, and intraoperative erythrocyte-transported volume in group A were significantly higher than those in group B (P lt; 0.05). There was no significant difference in postoperative drainage volume and hospitalization days between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). All the incisions healed by first intention, and no nerve and blood vessel injury occurred. All patients were followed up 18.6 months on average (range, 12-36 months). All cases obtained bone union, and time of clinical and radiological bone healing in group B was significantly shorter than those in group A (P lt; 0.05). During follow-up, no following complication occurred: deep incision infection, injuries of blood vessels and nerves, loosening and breakage of internal fixation, loss of reduction, angulated and rotational malunion. According to Tohner-Wrnch standard at last follow-up, the results were excellent in 6 cases, good in 3 cases, and poor in 2 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 81.8% in group A; the results were excellent in 12 cases, good in 5 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 100% in group B; and difference was significant between 2 groups (Z= — 2.623, P=0.021). Conclusion Augmentation plating with a retained intramedullary nail is an ideal treatment for aseptic nonunion of femoral shaft fractures after femoral nailing and can achieve satisfactory clinical outcomes because it has simpler operation, shorter operation time, less blood loss, and less trauma than intramedullary nail change.