Do different surgical techniques in tibia pilon fractures change the results of the midterm?

Background/aim: Pilon fracture is difficult to treat fractures due to many complications that can develop after surgery. To achieve the best results, different surgical approaches are used.In our study, we aimed to compare the functional results and complication rates of our treatments in patients treated with 3 different surgical tecniques. Materials and methods: 89 pilon fractures of 87 patients treated for pilon fracture were evaluated. Patients were examined in 3 different groups (one step, two step surgery and Ilizarov). Functional results, postoperative complications and ankle AOFAS scores were evaluated. Results: The mean AOFAS score of the all patients was 77.67. There was no significant difference between 3 surgical techniques (P = 0,880). While skin complication was not seen in patients who underwent double-stage surgery and Ilizarov (0%); It was seen in 6 (15.7%) patients who underwent single-stage surgery. Treatment results were found to be better in type 1 and type 2 fractures, while in type 3 fractures (P = 0.004). Conclusion: Despite the different surgical approaches and implants applied, no difference was found between the midterm ankle functional results of the patients. Two-stage surgery and Ilizarov is a safe and effective treatment approach to reduce morbidity and early complications in pilon fractures.

Double-level bone transport for large post-traumatic tibial bone defects: a single centre experience of sixteen cases.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and functional outcomes of patients with large post-traumatic tibial bone defects managed by double-level bone transport using the Ilizarov technique. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 16 patients of 39.1 years (range, 16.0-65.0 years). The bone defects averaged 10.9 ± 3.8 cm (range: 6.0 cm-20.0 cm) after radical resection and were managed by double-level bone transport. Bone and functional results were evaluated according to the ASAMI criteria. RESULTS: The mean duration of follow-up after frame removal was 29.5 ± 1.8 months (range, 12.0-36.0 months). All patients achieved complete union in both the regenerates and the docking site and eradication of infection. The mean bone transport time was 55.6 ± 23.7 days (range, 30.0-125.0 days). The mean external fixation time was 12.0 ± 3.9 months (range, 5.0-18.0 months), and the mean external fixation index was 1.1 ± 0.3 months/cm (rang, 0.8-2.0 months/cm). The bone results were excellent in ten patients and poor in six patients. The functional results were excellent in 12 patients and good in four patients. CONCLUSION: Double-level bone transport is a safe, reliable, and successful method for large post-traumatic tibial bone defects. Furthermore, this technique can reduce bone transport time, time in frame, and total treatment time in one stage.

Ilizarov technique and limited surgical methods for correction of post-traumatic talipes equinovarus in children.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of using Ilizarov invasive distraction technique combined with limited surgical operations in the treatment of post-traumatic talipes equinovarus in children. METHODS: Eighteen cases of post-traumatic deformed feet in 15 patients who received the treatment of Ilizarov frame application, limited soft-tissue release or osteotomy were selected in this study. After removal of the frame, an ankle-foot orthosis was used continuously for another 6-12 months. Pre- and post-operatively, the International Clubfoot Study Group (ICFSG) score was employed to evaluate the gait and range of motion of the ankle joint. Radiographical assessment was also conducted. RESULTS: Patients were followed up for 22 (17-32) months. Ilizarov frame was applied for a mean duration of 5.5 (4-9) months. When it was removed, the gait was improved significantly in all the patients. The correction time was 6-8 weeks for patients who underwent soft-tissue release and 8-12 weeks for those with bone osteotomy. At the last follow-up assessment, the differences between pre- and post-operative plantar-flexion angle, dorsiflexion, motion of ankle joint and talocalcaneal angle were significant (all P < 0.05). The observed complications included wire-hole infection in one foot, toe contracture in one, residual deformity in three, recurrence of deformity in two and spastic ischaemia in one foot. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that Ilizarov technique combined with limited surgical operation can be considered as an efficient and successful method for correction of post-traumatic talipes equinovarus in children.

Treatment of Adolescent Blount Disease Using Taylor Spatial Frame With and Without Fibular Osteotomy: Is There any Difference?

BACKGROUND: In adolescents, Tibia Vara (Blount disease) patients usually present with combination of marked genu varum, procurvatum, and internal tibial torsion. When no growth remaining, standard treatment protocol for correction is osteotomy of the proximal tibia and fibula. In our study we compared 2 groups of patients: group A was treated with fibular osteotomy and group B was treated without fibular osteotomy. METHODS: Twenty-three patients (25 tibias), 21 males and 2 females, mean age of 14.7 years (range, 13 to 21 y) were included in our study. All patients underwent correction with Taylor spatial frame. Group A (with fibular osteotomy) included 11 tibias and group B (no fibular osteotomy) included 14 tibias. Group A underwent correction by proximal tibial and fibular osteotomies (fibula was fixed distally by 2 ilizarov wires to the distal ring). Group B was treated by proximal tibial osteotomy only (fibula was not osteotomized and was not fixed to the tibia). RESULTS: Correction goal was achieved in 9 cases in group A and 12 in group B. Mean time in frame was 15.9 weeks in group A and 14.14 in group B. Mean lengthening was 16.5 mm in group A and 12.8 mm in group B. Mean proximal tibia-fibula distance was 21.1 mm (group A) and 14.9 mm (group B). Mean distal tibia-fibula distance was 9.8 mm (group A) and 9.6 mm (group B). There was no ankle malalignment in both the groups. Complications included pin-tract infection in 11 patients and delayed union in 2 patients (1 in each group). CONCLUSION: We believe that in patients with minimal lengthening as needed in patients with adolescent Tibia Vara correction might be performed safely without osteotomy and fixation of the fibula. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Multidisciplinary approach to soft-tissue reconstruction of the diabetic Charcot foot.

BACKGROUND: Diabetics are prone to foot ulceration as a result of local tissue ischemia, immune impairment, and biomechanical derangement in the setting of neuropathy. Healing ulcers in the setting of Charcot neuroarthropathy is challenging, as the skeletal changes usually signify advanced disease. METHODS: Records were reviewed for all patients with the diagnosis of Charcot neuroarthropathy and ulceration treated over a 7-year period. Demographic data, anatomical wound location, therapeutic interventions, and wound healing rates were recorded. RESULTS: Three hundred fourteen wounds in 259 patients were examined. One hundred ninety-three wounds with documented follow-up data were analyzed. Fifty wounds (25.9 percent) were on the forefoot, 73 (37.8 percent) were on the midfoot, 28 (14.5 percent) were on the hindfoot, and 42 (21.8 percent) were about the ankle. Wounds were débrided surgically an average of four times. Primary closure was attempted in 29 wounds (15.0 percent). Delayed primary closure was attempted in 35 wounds (18.1 percent). Bioengineered alternative tissues were used in 61 wounds (31.6 percent). Autologous skin grafting was performed on 41 wounds (21.2 percent). Fifteen local flaps (7.8 percent) and five free flaps (2.6 percent) were performed. Forty-eight patients (31.6 percent) required a major amputation. Excluding patients who underwent major amputation, 95 wounds (65.1 percent) were healed at the time of final follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of ulcers on Charcot feet required multiple débridements to achieve a clean wound. Multiple therapeutic modalities were used to achieve a 65 percent rate of healing. Despite those efforts, many patients required partial foot or major amputations, with more proximal wounds being at highest risk of the latter.

Cosmetic lower limb lengthening by Ilizarov apparatus: what are the risks?

BACKGROUND: Compelled by the psychosocial implications of short stature, patients with short stature are increasingly undergoing distraction osteogenesis for cosmetic limb lengthening. To the degree that this is true, evaluation of the risks and benefits of this treatment are very important, but to date, there are few studies reporting on using distraction osteogenesis for this indication. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We reviewed a group of patients undergoing cosmetic lower-extremity lengthening in terms of (1) soft tissue challenges, (2) bone-related complications, and (3) functional and subjective clinical outcomes. METHODS: The study was retrospective by reviewing data from medical records and radiographs. Between 1983 and 2006, we treated 138 somatically normal patients with bilateral lower-limb distraction osteogenesis for cosmetic purposes at our center using an Ilizarov external fixator, of whom 131 (95%; 65 males, 66 females) had complete clinical and radiographic data a minimum of 1 year after treatment (mean, 6 years; range, 1-14 years) and were reviewed for this report. The mean age of these patients was 25 years (range, 14-68 years) and their mean preoperative height was 159 cm (range, 130-174 cm). One hundred twenty-four (95%) patients had lengthening of the tibia alone, of which 66 (53%) were monofocal and 58 (47%) were bifocal. Six patients (4.58%) had crossed contralateral lengthening of the femur and tibia and one patient (0.76%) had bilateral lengthening of the femur. The mean height gained was 6.9 cm (range, 2-13 cm), 7.3 cm (range, 3.5-13 cm) in males and 6.5 cm (range, 2-13 cm) in females. The mean lengthening, maturation, and external fixator indexes were 12 days/cm (range, 4.3-24 days/cm), 19 days/cm (range, 5.2-63 days/cm), and 31 days/cm (range, 12-78 days/cm), respectively. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients (37%) had 59 complications related to treatment. Thirty-seven were soft tissue related (28%), of which 17 (46%) needed reinterventions, and 22 were bone related (17%), of which 16 (73%) needed reinterventions. At final followup, the outcome was excellent for 72 patients (55%), good for 52 (40%), satisfactory for six (4.58%), and poor for one (0.77%). One hundred thirty of 131 patients subjectively felt satisfied and had improved self-esteem. CONCLUSIONS: Distraction osteogenesis using the Ilizarov external fixator is an option for carefully selected motivated patients with awareness of this technique. Soft tissue and bone-related complications including those that necessitate reinterventions should be expected during the course of treatment, although most can be managed without permanent sequelae or disability. Future studies with more robust methods will need to determine whether the risks and benefits of this procedure are well balanced. Preoperative counseling, considering the ethical questions this procedure can raise, is of paramount importance for the patient to weigh the risk versus anticipated benefits. Studies from other centers will be important as we move forward. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study. See the Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Simultaneous bilateral lengthening of femora and tibiae in achondroplastic patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the results and complications of simultaneous bilateral femoral and tibial lengthening in achondroplastic patients. METHODS: The study included the 44 femora and 44 tibiae of 22 achondroplastic patients (16 females, 6 males; mean age: 6.36 years, range: 3 to 11 years) that underwent simultaneous lengthening. Orthofix LRS monolateral fixators were used for femoral lengthening and either Ilizarov-type or hexapod-type circular external fixators for tibial lengthening. Tenotomies of the hip flexors and the Achilles tendon were performed to prevent injury to the growth plates and to prevent joint contractures. Results and complications were evaluated according to Paley's scoring and complication systems. RESULTS: Average follow-up time was 35 (range: 26 to 76) months. The femora were lengthened by an average of 7.07 cm (46.1%), and the tibiae by an average of 6.64 cm (52.9%). Patients gained an average of 16.9 cm in height, including physiological growth. The mean bone-healing index (BHI) was 31.2 days/cm for the femora (range: 17.4 to 43.3 days/cm) and 34.3 days/cm for the tibiae (range: 19.5 to 60.0 days/cm). Complications included 3 delayed maturations, 3 pin track infections, 5 transient fibular paralyses, 5 regenerate fractures, 1 late varus deformity, 1 knee contracture and 1 knee contracture secondary to knee dislocation. Functional scores were excellent in 78 segments, good in 8, fair in 1 and poor in one. There was no growth inhibition related to the lengthening. CONCLUSION: Bilateral simultaneous lengthening of the femora and tibiae in achondroplastic patients provided a reduction in total treatment and external fixation time, with a low rate of complications.

Long-term results and costs of muscle flap coverage with Ilizarov bone transport in lower limb salvage.

OBJECTIVES: To determine long-term outcomes and costs of Ilizarov bone transport and flap coverage for lower limb salvage. DESIGN: Case series with retrospective review of outcomes with at least 6-year follow-up. SETTING: Academic tertiary care medical center. PATIENTS: Thirty-four consecutive patients with traumatic lower extremity wounds and tibial defects who were recommended amputation but instead underwent complex limb salvage from 1993 to 2005. INTERVENTION: Flap reconstruction and Ilizarov bone transport. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Outcomes assessed were flap complications, infection, union, malunion, need for chronic narcotics, ambulation status, employment status, and need for reoperations. A cost analysis was performed comparing this treatment modality to amputation. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients (mean age: 40 years) were included with 14 acute Gustilo IIIB/C defects and 20 chronic tibial defects (nonunion with osteomyelitis). Thirty-five muscle flaps were performed with 1 flap loss (2.9%). The mean tibial bone defect was 8.7 cm, mean duration of bone transport was 10.8 months, and mean follow-up was 11 years. Primary nonunion rate at the docking site was 8.8% and malunion rate was 5.9%. All patients achieved final union with no cases of recurrent osteomyelitis. No patients underwent future amputations, 29% required reoperations, 97% were ambulating without assistance, 85% were working full time, and only 5.9% required chronic narcotics. Mean lifetime cost per patient per year after limb salvage was significantly less than the published cost for amputation. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term results and costs of bone transport and flap coverage strongly support complex limb salvage in this patient population.

Femoral bone transport by a monolateral external fixator with or without the use of intramedullary nail: a single-department retrospective study.

BACKGROUNDS: Treatment for bone defect remains a challenge for orthopedists. Bone transport gives an effective alternative, which can be performed with an external fixator alone or combined with an intramedullary nail. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. We present a retrospective study to find out the optimal choice by evaluating the outcomes of treatment for femoral bone defect with two methods. METHODS: Two groups of patients, the monolateral external fixator alone (group A, n = 13) and the monolateral external fixator combined with intramedullary nail (group B, n = 15), were compared. Duration of the external fixator, external fixator index, radiographic consolidation index, complication, and total cost for treatment was also recorded. A modified classification of the Association for the Study and Application of the Method of Ilizarov (ASAMI) was used to assess results in two groups of patients; another SF-36 health survey questionnaire was used to assess the life qualities patients of two groups. RESULTS: Healing was achieved in 13/13 and 13/15 of the two groups, respectively. The rates of complications were significantly higher in the group A. Two patients performed amputations because of persistent deep infections in group B. Statistically significant difference was found when comparing ASAMI scores and categories of the SF-36 health survey. CONCLUSIONS: Bone transport by monolateral external fixator with the use of intramedullary nail reduces the incidence of complication and the duration of external fixator time that give patients a better life quality in both physical and emotional. However, if chronic osteitis exists, bone transport should be treated with monolateral external fixator alone due to a lower rate of amputations.

[Ilizarov augmentation in the treatment of humeral shaft nonunions developing after failed intramedullary nailing]. / Basarisiz intramedüller çivi uygulamasi sonrasi gelisen humerus cisim kaynamamalarinda Ilizarov güçlendirme tedavisi.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we presented our experience with Ilizarov augmentation in the treatment of patients with humeral shaft nonunion following failed intramedullary nail fixation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seven patients (4 females, 3 males; mean age 47 years; range 32 to 62 years) with established humeral nonunions following antegrade intramedullary nailing were evaluated retrospectively. In all patients an Ilizarov fixator was applied over the nail as a closed procedure. The average period between the first injury and fixator application was 12.2 months (range 8 to 21). The patients were assessed radiologically with respect to bony union at follow-up. Constant scoring was used to assess shoulder function in the clinical evaluation. RESULTS: All nonunions healed without a major complication. Five patients had superficial pin tract infections which responded well to antibiotic treatment. The follow-up average Constant score was 78. CONCLUSION: Ilizarov external fixation is an alternative and effective method in the treatment of aseptic humeral shaft nonunion following failed intramedullary nailing.