Reconstruction of compound tibial and soft tissue loss using a traction histogenesis technique.

We used simultaneous bone and soft tissue transport for reconstruction of large compound tissue loss in the lower leg. We report the results and complications of a 12-patient series. The average age of the patients was 31.2 years (range 20 to 48 years). Seven patients had grade IIIB open tibial fractures, three had complications after grade II or IIIA, and two had an en-bloc resection of bone, muscle, and skin for a malignant bone tumor. Arteriography was routinely performed, and demonstrated at least one patent tibial artery. Every patient had normal sensibility of the sole. The first stage of the reconstruction was an aggressive excision of the all necrotic skin, muscle, and bone. The Ilizarov external fixator was applied and wires were secured under a tension of 100 kg, using a dynamometric tensioner. Cutaneous tissue loss was not replaced in 10 patients, when the bone was not exposed. A medial gastrocnemius flap was performed in two patients and lengthened with the bone. Corticotomy was performed 15 days after the first stage with careful respect for the periosteum. Distraction was initiated 15 days after the corticotomy. The average bone defect was 12.5 cm after initial excision. An average of 9 operative procedures and 18 months of treatment were required before bony union. The mean duration of bone transport was 6.5 months, and the mean duration of external fixation was 12 months. The final functional results were fair and only two patients returned to work. One patient had a below-knee amputation after 10 months of treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Treatment of metastases of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae with predominant corporeal involvement by osteotomy of the vertebral body and anterior approach with cement and screwed plate]. / Traitement des métastases vertébrales dorsales et lombaires avec atteinte corporéale prédominante par corporectomie et montage antérieur associant ciment et plaque vissée.

Forty-seven patients with predominant corporeal thoracic, thoraco-lumbar or lumbar vertebral metastases were treated surgically by corporectomy. The vertebral body was replaced by acrylic cement sustained by a vertebral U shaped plate screwed to the adjacent vertebral bodies: this corporectomy was completed in 17 cases by a posterior approach. In 9 cases it allowed to treat a posterior epiduritis. The spinal metastases were symptomatic in 45 cases (pain and/or neurologic deficit); 22 of the operated patients were bed-ridden, either due to an important pain (16), or due to a severe neurological deficit (6). In 36 cases, the intervention was done on the spinal lord segment (7 times on the upper thoracic column). The patients were authorized to get up the fifth or sixth postoperative day. The functional results, at a price of 15 per cent of mortality during the first two postoperative months, were satisfactory and stable in time (particularly, 70 per cent of the operated patients with neurologic deficits were improved and 13 of the 21 bed-ridden became autonomous). The intracanalar decompressions controlled by a postoperative myelography, were nearly always total. The sets were stables in time when the block of cement was sustained by a metallic device. The mortality and the functional failure with pain and neurological impairment occurred essentially, when there was spreading of the tumor to the peri-vertebral soft tissues and when there was epiduritis extending beyond the bone lesion. Thus, to be perfectly efficacious, the anterior surgery of the vertebral metastasis, which gives durable and better results than the posterior one, should be soon enough integrated, in the global treatment of the metastatic disease.

[Knee prostheses for tumors]. / Prothèses du genou pour tumeurs.

Because of the advances achieved in conservative surgery for bone cancers of the limbs, megaprostheses of the knee are increasingly used to replace the epiphysio-metaphysio-diaphyseal region resected. Initially, these prostheses were metallic ones, and as such they did not lend themselves to satisfactory reinsertion of the extensor system and exposed the patients to the risk of decementation--a risk which is particularly high in adolescents whose prognosis for life is now excellent. For this reason we have been using, since 1984, a combination of long-tail titanium prosthesis made to measure, and bank allografts. The titanium prosthesis provides immediate solidity, whereas the allograft ensures long-term stability of the material and better functional result.