Ilizarov technique for treatment of large tibia bone defect combined with soft tissue defect / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the feasibility of Ilizarov technique in managing large tibia defects combined with soft tissue defects.Methods A total of 24 patients with large tibial defects combined with soft tissue defects caused by compound open tibial fractures were fixed with Ilizarov technique from September 2003 to September 2010.All patients belonged to open tibial fractures,including 20 patients with Gustilo type Ⅲ B and four with Gustilo type Ⅲ C.After debridement,the soft tissue defect areas was 10 cm ×6 cm and the bone defect was(8 ±4)cm.Fifteen patients with tibial defects ＜5 cm were treated with one stage debridement,fibula resection and tibial defect end compression.The other nine patients with tibial defect ＞ 5 cm were managed by one stage debridement,bone transport and bone lengthening.Then,15 patients were treated with one stage debridement,wound closure or wound reduction,bone grafting treatment and second stage cleansing of the incarcerated skin and fracture end.Results All patients were followed up for average 14 months(10-24 months),which showed reconstruction of the bone defects,restoration of the limb length,fracture healing and less than 2 cm difference between health limb and contralateral limb.One patient experienced common peroneal nerve palsy after operation,but recovered three months later.Of all,19 patients recovered without extra surgery,three restored with skin graft and two received skin flap.Conclusion Ilizarov technique is an effective option for treating the tibial defects combined with soft tissue defects at one stage.