RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficiency of internal fixation with bone grafting after bone transport for treatment in large-segment bone defects of the lower-limbs. METHODS: This prospective study recruited 100 patients with lower limb tibial segmental bone defects, and based on a random number table they were divided into a control group (n=50, simple bone transport surgery) or an observation group (n=50, internal fixation with bone grafting at docking site after bone transport). The fracture healing time, bone healing index, external fixation time in both groups were compared. The knee function, joint range of motion, and the function of the ankle and hindfoot before and after surgery were also analyzed and compared between the two groups respectively, as well as the rate of complications in both groups was calculated. RESULTS: Compared with the preoperative condition of patients, the Lysholm knee scale, ROM score, and AHS scores of patients in the two groups were significantly increased 10 months after surgery, moreover, those scores of the observation group were higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). The fracture healing time and external fixation time of patients were significantly declined in the observation group when compared to the control group, additionally, the bone healing index was also reduced significantly (P<0.05). When compared with patients in the control group, the ratios of bone healing and lower-limb functional recovery of patients in the observation group were significantly higher while the total complication incidence was decreased remarkably (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Internal fixation with bone grafting after bone transport can promote fracture healing, improve joint function, and reduce complications during treatment for a large segmental bone defects in the lower limbs.
