Masquelet technique plus leg flap transfer to repair tibial infected defects complicated with extensive soft tissue defects / 中华创伤骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate Masquelet technique plus flap transfer in repair of tibial infected defects complicated with extensive soft tissue defects in the lower leg.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed in the 23 patients who had been treated by Masquelet technique plus flap transfer at Institute of Orthopedics and Trauma, 920 Hospital for tibial infected defects complicated with extensive soft tissue defects in the lower leg from March 2016 to June 2019. They were 15 males and 8 females, aged from 18 to 59 years (average, 38.4 years). The duration of disease ranged from 6 to 312 months (average, 23.6 months). All patients underwent surgery by 2 stages1) debridement, locking compression plate fixation, formation of induced membrane by antibiotic-loaded bone cement, and repair of soft tissue defects with lower leg flaps; 2) removal of bone cement and fixation 6 to 8 weeks after infection control, fixation of broken ends after rinse, followed by grafting of cancellous bone particles in the induced membrane. The area of wound soft tissue defects after debridement ranged from 4.0 cm × 3.5 cm to 18.0 cm × 6.0 cm, and the length of bone defects from 6 to 12 cm (average, 8.4 cm). Locally grafted were pedicled fasciocutaneous flap in 4 cases, sural nerve nutrition skin flap in 9 cases (including 4 anterograde and 5 retrograde ones), saphenous nerve nutrition vascular flap in 7 cases (including 2 anterograde and 5 retrograde ones), retrograde superficial peroneal nerve nutrient vessel flap in one and free flap in 2 cases. The curative efficacy was evaluated according to the Paley fracture healing scores.Results:All the 23 patients were followed up for 9 to 46 months (average, 15.6 months). Flaps healed by the first stage in 18 cases and after skin grafting in 3 cases; skin flap transfer was conducted again in 2 cases. Infection was controlled in 21 cases but recurred in 2 cases at 9 and 14 months respectively after secondary surgery. The time for bone reunion ranged from 4 to 11 months (average, 6.2 months). According to the Paley criteria for fracture healing, 21 cases were excellent, one was good and one poor.Conclusion:In the treatment of tibial infected defects complicated with extensive soft tissue defects, Masquelet technique plus transfer of a variety of lower leg flaps can result in reliable outcomes because it controls infection, promotes formation of complete induced membrane and accelerates the process of bone reconstruction along with repair of soft tissue defects.