Induced membrane technique combined with staged internal fixation for treatment of infected femoral nonunion / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of induced membrane technique combined with staged internal fixation for treatment of infected femoral nonunion.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 21 patients with infected femoral nonunion treated from January 2016 to December 2018 in 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA. There were 13 males and 8 females, with the age of 18-57 years [(38.9±6.7)years]. The duration of nonunion was 7-78 months [(27.1±11.4)months]. All patients were treated by induced membrane technique in two stages. At stage I, the original internal fixation was removed and debrided thoroughly, then the antibiotic-loaded bone cement and locking compression plate (LCP) were placed. The length of bone defect following debridement was 5-15 cm[(7.4±1.9)cm]. At stage II, the bone defect was reconstructed with bone grafts and fixed with the intramedullary nail and/or LCP. The wound condition, white blood cell count, C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were recorded after stage I surgery and at the last follow-up to measure infection control. The complications and bone healing time were recorded. The bone healing was evaluated by the Paley criteria and the functional recovery of the affected limb was evaluated by the range of motion of the knee at the last follow-up.Results:All patients were followed up for 23-43 months [(31.9±6.7)months]. The infection recurred in 4 patients after stage I surgery, and the wound healed after repeated debridement. There was no infection recurrence after stage II surgery. The white blood cell count, CRP and ESR were (6.1±1.8)×10 9/L, (10.1±3.1)mg/L, (10.2±3.4)mm/h at the last follow-up, significantly decreased from preoperative (15.0±4.8)×10 9/L, (69.8±14.8)mg/L, (66.2±13.2)mm/h ( P<0.05). The incidence of complications was 43%. Besides infection recurrence in 4 patients after stage I surgery, the donor site at the posterior superior iliac spine in 3 patients showed delayed healing, and the limb shortening occurred in 2 patients with the discrepancy of 3 cm and 4 cm. Bony union was observed in all patients within 6-16 months [(8.8±2.7)months]. The results were excellent in 19 patients and good in 2 patients according to the Paley criteria at the last follow-up. The knee range of motion was significantly improved from preoperative 30.0°(15.0°, 110.0°) to 90.0°(61.5°, 120.0°) at the last follow-up ( P<0.05). Conclusion:For infected femoral nonunion, the induced membrane technique combined with staged internal fixation can effectively control infection, achieve bony union, and promote functional recovery.