ABSTRACT
Objective:To evaluate the treatment of infected nonunion after internal fixation of subtrochanteric fracture with a reconstruction stent of external fixation.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the data of 5 male patients with infected nonunion after internal fixation of subtrochanteric fracture who had been treated and completely followed up at The Great Wall Orthopaedics and Hand Surgery Hospital from January 2017 to October 2022. The patients were (30.0±13.5) years old. Seinsheimer fracture types: ⅢA (1 case), ⅢB (1 case), Ⅳ (2 cases), and Ⅴ (1 case); original internal fixation: intramedullary system (4 cases) and plate fixation (1 case); the Cierny-Mader anatomical classification: type Ⅳ (diffuse type) for all. After complete debridement at stage one, 2 or 3 hydroxyapatite (HA) coated screws were placed at both fracture ends from the lateral side of the femur for unilateral reconstruction external fixation. Next, a hybrid external fixation scaffold was added with a 1/3 ring at the sagittal position and 1 or 2 HA screws in 4 cases while unilateral reconstruction external fixation was constructed at both sides by inserting 2 HA screws into both fracture ends from the anterior femur at the sagittal position in 1 case. Antibiotic bone cement was used to fill bone defects of (3.8±1.8) cm. At 6 to 8 weeks after debridement when infection did not recur, antibiotic bone cement was removed before autogenous iliac bone grafting was performed in 3 patients and osteotomy bone transport in 2 patients. Infection control, bone union time, time for removal of external fixation stent, complications, Sanders hip function score and Paley bone outcome score were recorded.Results:The 5 patients were followed up for (23.4±8.1) months after surgery. Infection at the fracture ends was controlled after 1 time of debridement in 3 patients and after 2 times of debridement in 2 patients. The loosening HA screws were replaced twice due to infection at the proximal nail tract, and autologous bone grafting was performed at the opposite fracture ends in 1 case; no complications occurred in the other 4 cases. Bony union was achieved at the extended segment and fracture ends in all patients. The time for imaging union after bone reconstruction was (10.2±3.4) months. The time for wearing a stent of external fixation was (18.0±4.5) months. There was no recurrent infection or lingering infection. According to the Sanders hip function score at the last follow-up, 4 cases were excellent and 1 case was good; according to the Paley bone outcome score, the curative effect was excellent in all.Conclusion:Application of a reconstruction stent of external fixation combined with antibiotic bone cement can control infection at the first stage and conduct bone reconstruction at the second stage to successfully treat the infected nonunion and preserve the hip function after internal fixation of subtrochanteric fracture.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the results of managing the infected nonunions of distal tibial fractures combined with talar fracture and calcaneal fracture with tibial bone transport, tibiotalar or tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis using the hybrid external fixator.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective review of 26 patients who underwent either tibiotalar arthodesis or tibiocalcaneal arthodesis using an hybrid external fixator for infected nonunions of distal tibial fractures, talar and calcaneal fractures after tibial bone distraction was made. Each patient had a debridement of all infected and nonviable bones, the wound area were 2 cm×4 cm-4 cm×8 cm. The bony surfaces of distal tibia and talus were prepared for the fusion followed by application of an Orthofix's hybrid external fixator.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The remaining 18 patients undertook debridement at the docking sites, and 14 of them had autogenous bone grafting. There was a mean follow-up of 32 months (22-38 months). All the patients had successful fusions. There were no recurrent deep infections or amputations. Two patients had 6° of varus deformity at the docking site.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Tibiotalar or tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis using the Ilizarov technique is viable alternative to amputation in patients with infected nonunions,especially if there is a large bone loss of the tibias, talus and calcaneus.</p>