Effect comparison of Ilizarov frame and unilateral frame in the treatment of tibial segmental bone defect combined with soft tissue defect / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To compare the clinical effect of Ilizarov frame and unilateral frame in the treatment of tibial segmental bone defect combined with soft tissue defect by open bone transport.Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 32 patients with tibial segmental bone defect and soft tissue defect-up who underwent open bone transport technique in Tianjin Hospital from August 2008 to August 2016 and obtained complete followed-up. There were 22 males and 10 females, aged 22-64 years (mean, 36.8 years). Nineteen patients in the Ilizarov group showed the mean bone defect length of 7.9 cm and mean soft tissue defect area of 41.4 cm 2. Thirteen patients in the unilateral group showed the mean bone defect length of 7.8 cm and the mean soft tissue defect area of 39.2 cm 2. The results of fracture healing, wound healing time, radiological consolidation index, external fixation index, Association for the Study and Application of the Method of Ilizarov (ASAMI) bone and lower-limb function score and incidence of complications were compared between the groups. Results:All patients were followed up for 24 to 60 months [(32.6±1.3)months]. Bone healing was achieved in all patients. The wound healing time was (2.7±2.3)days in Ilizarov group and (2.4±1.8)days in unilateral group ( P>0.05). The consolidation index was (43.4±8.7)d/cm in Ilizarov group and (45.8±10.3)d/cm in unilateral group ( P>0.05). The external fixation index was (52.6±8.9)d/cm in Ilizarov group and (58.7±12.9)d/cm in unilateral group ( P<0.05). The results of ASAMI bone score was excellent in 10 patients, good in 6, fair in 2 and poor in 1 in Ilizarov group, with the excellent rate of 84%; and excellent in 6 patients, good in 4, fair in 2, and poor in 1 in unilateral group, with the excellent rate of 77%, with insignificant difference between two groups ( P>0.05). The results of ASAMI lower-limb function score was excellent in 8 patients, good in 7, fair in 3, poor in 1 in Ilizarov group, with the excellent rate of 79%; and excellent in 6, good in 3, fair in 3, poor in 1 in unilateral group, with the excellent rate of 69%, with insignificant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05). Incidence of axial deviation was zero in Ilizarov group versus 23% in unilateral group ( P<0.05). After operation, Ilizarov group had refracture in 1 patient and pin site infection in 5, and unilateral group had refracture in 1 patient and pin site infection in 1, showing no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Tibial segmental bone defect with soft tissue defect can be effectively treated by open bone transport with Ilizarov and unilateral frame. Ilizarov frame has better biomechanical properties and is more convenient for correction of poor postoperative axial alignment.