The Rate of Bone Union in Replanted Limbs / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

In view of the problems with infection, traditional orthopedic teaching has held that the use of metalic fixation in open fractures is contraindicated. But the bone shortening and internal fixation of amputated limb is a principle for replantation. The authors experienced 23 patients of replanted limbs including femur, tibia, humerus, radius and ulnar among total 142 replantations and also analysed them in the respect of the relationship among soft tissue injury, fixatives, bone union and infection rate from February, 1975 to July, 1981 in this department. The rate of delayed union, nonunion and infection were 22.6%, 6.5% and 25.8% respectively. It seems that the union process of bone in replanted limbs is similar to that of the open fracture and also rigid internal fixation is the most useful for bony union.