RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To explore the treatment of chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis with bone defect after debridement and evaluate its clinical outcomes. METHODS: From June 2009 to June 2011, 52 patients with chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis were treated with stage-one compound grafting of antibiotic-impregnated calcium sulfate and autogenous cancellous bone,including 12 females and 40 males with an average age of 43 years old ranging from 18 to 67. According to Cierny-Mader classification, there were 34 cases with stage III and 18 with stage IV. There were 32 cases on right side and 20 on left,with a course of 6 months to 3 years. The area of soft tissue wound ranged from 3.0 cm x l.5 cm to 23.0 cm x l2.0 cm. The clinical effects were evaluated according to infection controlling, calcium sulfate absorption,bone defect repair and heel functional recovery. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 2 to 3.8 years (averaged 2.8 years). Primary healing was achieved in 52 patients. Two cases of recurrence were found post-operatively, 1 case in 3 months and another in 5 months,which were cured after a second operation. Bone repair healing was gained in 1.5 to 3.5 months (averaged 2.5 months). Complete radiological absorption of calcium sulfate was found in 1.2 to 3 months(averaged 2.2 months). Local exudation after removal of drainage tube had been persisting in 10 patients for 2 to 3 months, which was consistent with the time when cacium sulfate were totally absorbed. Flap had partial necrosis in 4 cases,and the wounds were closed after appropriate treatment finally. The mean Maryland score was 88.15±7.70. There were excellent results in 32 cases, good in 14, fair in 6. CONCLUSION: A satisfactory short-term clinical results can be gained by one-stage compound grafting of antibiotic-impregnated calcium sulfate and autogenous cancellous bone in chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis, but the long-term results need further follow-up. And much more study is also demanded to reduce the exudation of calcium sulfate.