Skin flap transplantation combined with membrane induction technique for repair of long bone defects and soft tissue defects / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Membrane induction technique for treating long bone defects has advantages of few complications, significant treatment efficacy and ease in operation. In previous studies, membrane induction technique was used to treat bone defect patients with good cartilage tissue, but there are few reports regarding bone defects with large area of cartilage tissue defect or accompanying infection. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the efficacy of flap transplantation combined with membrane induction technique for repairing long bone defects and soft tissue defects. METHODS: Fifteen patients with long bone defects and soft tissue defects who were treated in Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, University of South China from October 2016 to August 2018 were selected. They were aged (47.15±8.16) years. The soft tissue defect area was 5.1 cm x 3.4 cm-21.8 cm x 9.4 cm. The length of bone defect was 5.8-19.5 cm, with an average of (11.4±2.3) cm. The patients with mildly polluted wounds underwent debridement, external fixation of fracture, and filling bone cement in the bone defect area. Wounds were covered with local pedicle flaps or free flaps. Wound infection patients underwent vacuum sealing drainage, bone cement filling and flap surgery after infection was controlled. The second graft surgery was performed at 8 to 12 weeks after primary intention, and patients were followed up for 12 months. This study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, University of South China. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Nine patients with mildly contaminated wounds were treated with external fixation after debridement, bone cement filling and flap transposition. No infection occurred. (2) Six patients with infection were treated with vacuum sealing drainage for 1 to 2 weeks. After the infection was controlled completely, bone cement filling and flap transplantation were conducted. All wounds were healed. (3) Fifteen patients achieved bone healing after second bone grafting. The healing time was between 8 and 12 months, with an average of (9.18±2.10) months. (4) These results suggest that skin flap transplantation combined with membrane induction technique can effectively treat patients with long bone defects and soft tissue defects.