Percutaneous osteoperiosteal decortication combined with distraction osteogenesis for treatment of nonunion of lower-extremity bones / 中华创伤骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the curative effects of percutaneous osteoperiosteal decortication combined with distraction osteogenesis for treatment of nonunion of lower-extremity bones.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed of the 32 patients who had been treated using osteoperiosteal decortication combined with distraction osteogenesis from September 2011 to December 2014 for nonunion of lower-extremity fractures.They were 23 males and 9 females,with a mean age of 33.4 years (range,from 15 to 62 years).After their former internal or external fixators were removed,the 2 fracture ends were fixated by a retractile mono-lateral or circular external fixator.Under radiographic monitoring,a percutaneous incision was made with a 5 mm sharp chisel,down to the bone.Scar and ossified tissue between the fracture ends were debrided and cut along the fracture line.Mter the marrow cavity was reamed,a new irregular wound was created at sclerotic fracture ends.Scale-shaped chips (1 mm thin and 5 mm in diameter) were elevated using a chisel on surface of the cortical bone within 2 cm from the fracture ends.The external fixators were adjusted to compress the fracture sites.On the 8th day after operation,the eternal fixators were applied to distract and compress at nonunion sites to stimulate the osteogenesis.Results All the patients were followed up for an average of 12.5 months (range,from 8 to 42 months).Primary union was successfully achieved in 28 patients while delayed union occurred in 3 patients who finally achieved union after adjuvant therapies like shock wave and or local injection of bone marrow blood.The average time for union was 4.6 months(range,from 4 to 7 months).The mean time for external fixation was 6.2 months (range,from 5 to 8 months).One patient encountered nonunion of lateral tibial cortical bone 6 months after surgery but eventually achieved union by autologous ilium grafting.Joint functions in all postoperative patients were similar to those before operation.Conclusion Percutaneous osteoperiosteal decortication combined with distraction osteogenesis is a simple,minimally invasive and effective treatment for nonunion of lower-extremity bones,avoiding disadvantages brought by traditional surgery,like massive trauma and excessive bleeding.