Treatment of nonunion of tibial fractures with local muscle flap transfer and injection of autogenous bone marrow / 中华创伤骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To report the treatment outcome of nonunion of tibial fractures with local muscle flap transfer and injection of autogenous bone marrow. Methods 15 patients who had suffered from nonunion of tibial fracture 10 to 42 (mean 22) months after the initial injury underwent open reduction, internal fixation with locking intramedullary nail, wound coverage with locally transferred muscle flap and injection of autogenous bone marrow into the fracture site 12 to 15 days after operation. Results The follow-ups revealed bone union in all the cases of this series with a mean healing time of 22 (3 to 11) months. Except for limited necrosis of the skin edge in 2 cases which healed after dressing changes, the wounds healed primarily in all the cases without infection and implant failure. Conclusion Besides stable internal fixation and bone graft, coverage of fracture site with locally transferred muscle flap and injection of autogenous bone marrow can be used to treat nonunion of tibial fractures with satisfactory results.