Calf tissue flap combined with artificial bone of antibiotics loaded calcium sulphate in treatment of tibia osteomyelitis / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To observe the surgical method and clinical efficacy of applying calf tissue flap combined with artificial bone of antibiotics loaded calcium sulphate in treatment of tibia osteomyelitis.Methods:From July 2018 to January 2021, calf tissue flaps combined with artificial bone of antibiotics loaded calcium sulphate (or mixed with iliac bone) were applied to treat 16 cases with tibia osteomyelitis in the Department of Hand and Microsurgery of Baoji Third Hospital. There were 10 males and 6 females, aged 15 to 64 years old, with a mean age of 41 years old. For the 5 cases with acute osteomyelitis caused by wound infection, local dressing changes and drainage or VSD wound management were applied after debridement, together with primary systemic anti-infection treatment. After the acute infection period had been under control and stabilised, the wounds were then thoroughly exposed and cavities were filled and covered with the surgical reconstruction procedure with antibiotics-loaded artificial bone of calcium sulphate in combination with calf tissue flaps. For the 11 cases with chronic and hypotoxicity osteomyelitis, calf tissue flaps combined with antibiotics-blended artificial bone of calcium sulphate were applied to fill the cavity and cover the wound in phase I surgical reconstruction after thorough debridement. For the 7 cases with large bone defects or larger cavities after debridement, a mixed bone grafts of antibiotics-loaded artificial bone of calcium sulphate and autologous iliac bone were employed, with muscle flaps or myocutaneous flaps for an embedding repair. Sizes of the tissue flaps were 2.0 cm×3.5 cm to 12.0 cm×23.0 cm. Clinical outcomes were evaluated through follow-ups at outpatient clinic. The therapeutic effect was evaluated by the method described by McKee et al.Results:Except for 1 case of distal necrosis of tissue flap and survived after dressing change, the other tissue flap survived successfully. Postoperative follow-ups lasted for 12 to 40(mean 18) months. All the osteomyelitis were successfully cured, except 1 that had recurrence of osteomyelitis 1 year later, and treated with antibiotics-loaded artificial bone of calcium sulphate combined with autologous iliac bone implants after thorough debridement, and then healed well. The shape and texture of flaps were good. Protective sensations were restored to vary levels after 6 months. The calf regained weight-bearing and walking functions at 1 year after surgery. According to McKee et al., the therapeutic effect was evaluated 11 cases were cured, 4 cases were improved, and 1 case relapsed, with an effective rate of 93.8%.Conclusion:Application of calf tissue flap combined with antibiotics-loaded artificial bone of calcium sulphate in the treatment of tibia osteomyelitis has a high cure rate and remarkable efficacy. It can significantly reduce the number of surgeries and shorten the course of disease.