Comparing case-control study for treatment of proximal tibia fractures with a complete metaphyseal component in two centers with different distinct strategies: fixation with Ilizarov frame or locking plates.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare two methods of stabilization for proximal tibia fractures (AO 41) with a complete metaphyseal component, external fixation with the Ilizarov wire frame, and internal fixation with locking plates. METHODS: Patients from two level 1 trauma centers treated between 2009 and 2015 were included in a retrospective comparing cohort study. The first center stabilized the non-pathological, proximal tibia fractures exclusively with external fixation and the second with internal plating. Combined clinically and radiologically evaluated, bone healing was the primary outcome. The secondary outcomes included complications, range of motion (ROM) and axial alignment of the knee, the reoperation rate within 6 months, heterotopic ossifications (HTO), and signs of posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). A logistic regression analysis corrected for uneven distributed parameters. RESULTS: The 62 patients treated with Ilizarov frame and the 68 patients treated with plate fixation were comparable regarding epidemiological parameters, injury characteristics, and comorbidity except for injury severity score (ISS) and smoking behavior. The time of healing was shorter in the group undergoing plate fixation (p = 0.041); however, the incidence of non-unions was equal. Furthermore, there was no difference regarding the rate of deep infections, thrombosis, alignment, reoperations, PTOA, and ROM. Heterotopic ossifications were more prevalent following plate fixation (13.2 vs 1.6%, p = .013). External fixation was associated with a higher rate of superficial infections (40.4 vs 2.9%, p = .000). The initial displacement, the incidence of deep infections, and the classification significantly influenced the incidence of non-unions in both groups (p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Fixation of proximal tibia fractures with plates resulted in a slightly shorter healing time compared to Ilizarov frame stabilization. Furthermore, the complication profiles differ with more heterotopic ossifications and less superficial infections following internal plating. TRIAL REGISTRATION: DRKS, DRKS00013275 , Registered 11/2/2017, Retrospectively registered.

Management of lower limb fractures in polytrauma patients with delayed referral in a mass disaster. The role of the Ilizarov method in conversion osteosynthesis.

Polytrauma cases in mass disasters present several challenges to the orthopaedic surgeon. Delayed referral, multisystem involvement and the requirement to manage coexisting injuries by interhospital transfer often make infection an inevitable risk. 28 patients with polytrauma were studied after being referred after being recovered from the debris of their homes in the Kashmir earthquake. All patients were referred more than 24h after sustaining their injuries. The lower limb fractures were fixed by external fixators in all these cases before interhospital transfer for the management of their co existing injuries. Return referral to the orthopaedic facility occurred after an average of 25 days. All cases were converted to Ilizarov fixation. The results bear out the fact that the Ilizarov method may be well suited for conversion osteosynthesis of lower limb fractures in polytrauma cases.

Prolonged clinical benefit from joint distraction in the treatment of ankle osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disabling joint disease affecting more than 10% of the adult population. No validated disease-modifying treatment is available. Joint distraction is a relatively new approach to the treatment of severe ankle OA. Short-term (3 years) clinical benefit has been proven, but long-term effects remain to be evaluated. METHODS: Patients with severe OA of the tibio-talar joint, who had been treated with Ilizarov joint distraction more than 7 years previously, were included. Pre-treatment data were obtained by retrospective analysis using questionnaires and patients' charts. Post-treatment assessments were undertaken using the same questionnaires and by physical examination. Three approaches were used and results were compared: the van Valburg score, the Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale (AOS), and a patient satisfaction questionnaire. Retrospectively and prospectively obtained data were available from eight patients for comparison. RESULTS: Twenty-five out of 27 patients with severe ankle OA treated with Ilizarov joint distraction could be traced. Appropriate retrospective data could not be obtained from three patients. Six out of the 22 patients (27%) were failures. In 16 patients (73%), significant improvement in all clinical parameters was observed using each of the three approaches. Good correlations were found between the results of the three methods of assessment and retrospectively obtained pre-treatment values were very similar to the prospective data. CONCLUSIONS: In 73% of the patients, significant clinical benefit from joint distraction of severe OA ankles was maintained for at least 7 years. There is, however, a need for further research to try and predict which patients will not respond to this unconventional form of major surgical intervention.

Treatment of intertrochanteric fractures in geriatric patients with a modified external fixator.

Forty-two geriatric patients who had an intertrochanteric fracture were treated with a semicircular modification of the Ilizarov frame designed by Cattaneo and Catagni between January 1997 and September 2001. Twenty-five of the patients were female, 17 male. The average age of the patients was 77.5 years (range, 63-99). No intraoperative complication occurred. Deep pin-track infection was found in four patients and varus deformity was observed in two patients and shortening of less than 2 cm in 10 patients. Fixator removal was achieved in a mean time of 12 weeks (range, 10-18). No implant failure, refracture or stiffness of knee and hip joint movements was recorded. We concluded that the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures of the elderly patients with our modification provides significant advantages such as minimal operative and anaesthetic risks, no blood loss, early weight-bearing, short hospitalisation time and rapid union time.

Ilizarov external fixator: acute shortening and lengthening versus bone transport in the management of tibial non-unions.

Eighteen patients with tibial shaft non-unions were treated by the Ilizarov method between March 1995 and September 2001 by the senior author. Three subgroups of six patients each were treated by either acute shortening and lengthening, bone transport or simple stabilisation with a frame. All aspects of non-union, infection, shortening, deformity and bone loss were addressed by using Ilizarov principles. There were 10 cases of infected non-unions in the entire series. Bone resection in the shortening group was between 3 and 6 cm (median 4.6) compared to 3-7.5 cm (median 5.9) in the bone transport group. Union was achieved in all the patients with the average time to union at 12.1 months, 17.2 months and 8.0 months, respectively. The bone transport group required additional bone grafting in five patients (83.3%) prior to union compared to one (16.7%) in the acute shortening group.

Effect on knee flexion of a modification to the surgical technique of pin placement during femoral lengthening.

Loss of knee movement is a common problem in femoral lengthening. Two groups of 10 children were compared: one group lengthened by the Ilizarov technique using a standard method and one group in whom the technique was modified to incorporate a different method for determining the pin placement. Loss of knee flexion was compared between the two groups. A significant difference in the total loss of flexion ( <0.002), and in the amount of knee flexion, at the end of lengthening ( <0.001) and at 6 months after frame removal ( <0.004) was observed. This simple modification to surgical technique appears to decrease the knee flexion lost in children undergoing femoral lengthening by the Ilizarov method.

[Preliminary results for treatment of tibial plateau fractures with the Ilizarov technique of ligamentotaxis]. / Plato tibia kiriklarinda ilizarov metodu ile ligamantotaksis tedavisinin erken dönem sonuçlari.

BACKGROUND: The results of the eight patients who admitted to emergency room with tibial plateau fractures and treated with Ilizarov technique, were retrospective evaluated both clinically and radiologically. METHODS: Seven (87%) men and one (13%) woman ranging in age from 23 to 38, were evaluated. All the cases were between type IV to VI according to Hohl classification preoperatively. Closed indirect reduction by ligamentotaxis was attempted in all fractures, no open technique was performed. RESULTS: Three (38%) cases had open fractures (type I according to Gustilo-Andersen Classification) preoperatively. Six (75%) traffic accident and two (25%) falling from a height were detected as etiology. The cases, whose average follow up was 14 (6-28) months, were evaluated according to Iowa knee score scale and seven (87%) cases were good and excellent. Both clinical and radiological solid fusion were obtained in all cases after removing the frame. Although all the cases had minimal to moderate pin tract infection, all were resolved with dressing and oral antibiotherapy without removing the wires. CONCLUSIONS: Closed reduction with Ilizarov technique is appropriate for treatment of plateau tibia fractures with minimal morbidity.

[Progressive bone lengthening of the hand in congenital malformations. 41 cases]. / L'allongement par distraction progressive du squelette de la main dans les malformations congénitales. A propos de 41 observations.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: We retrospectively reviewed the experience of two Hand Units with progressive bone distraction lengthening, collecting 41 cases of hand skeleton lengthening for congenital malformations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Ilizarov callostasis method was used in 31 cases and in 10 cases bone union was reestablished at a second stage with an iliac graft (2 cases), vascularized metacarpal bone graft (one case), and vascularized (one case) or nonvascularized (3 cases) toe epiphysis. In the last three cases of index lengthening, the distal part was translocated to the tip of the third, deepening at the same stage the first web. The most frequently treated malformation was symbrachydactyly (22 cases). RESULTS: Mean lengthening was 2.3 cm (0.9 to 3.5) with a mean treatment duration of 3.8 months (1.5 - 8.2). The "lengthening index" was 0.59. There was a significant difference between phalanx and metacarpal lengthening, but the amount of lengthening or treatment duration were not affected by technique (Ilizarov vs bone grafting) or age. The complication rate was 32%. There were two complete failures, one extensor tendon tear, 3 pin tract infections (one requiring interruption of the lengthening), 2 cases of relevant pain, 2 delayed unions, 2 angulations and 1 callus fracture, 1 metacarpophalangeal dislocation and 1 joint stiffness. DISCUSSION: Despite advances in micorsurgical toe transfer, there are still indications for bone lengthening in congenital malformations. The apparent simplicity of the technique can mask a certain number of complications, emphasizing the need for surgical experience. Progressive bone lengthening in congenital deformity has the advantage of preserving sensitivity and avoiding bone resorption. Callostasis does not increase the duration of treatment compared to bone graft.

[Reduction of the period of treatment for leg lengthening. Technique and advantages]. / Réduction de la durée du traitement dans les allongements osseux progressifs. Technique et advantage.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: We assessed an adaptation of the Ilizarov method aimed at a considerable reduction in the period of treatment for leg lengthening in order to limit complications related to the duration of the external fixation. This technique associates multiple segment lengthening, automatic high-frequency lengthening, and stimulation of bone regeneration by extemporaneous compression at the end of traction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed 78 cases of automatic fémur lengthening in 40 patients and simultaneous fémur and tibia lengthening in 38 patients. There were 51 men and 27 women, mean age 13.2 years (6 - 43 years). Mean length deficiency was 4.3 cm for the fémur and 3.5 cm for the tibia. Femoral and/or tibial deformations were observed in 32 patients. Minimal follow-up was 1.5 years. The automatic traction device was composed of the conventional Ilizarov fixator and complementary elements. Different assemblies were used depending on the associated deformations allowing their progressive correction. For 17 patients, radioimmunoassay of thyrocalcitonin and parathormone was performed to compare the time courses. RESULTS: Mean femoral lengthening achieved was 49 mm (8.5 to 20%). Mean tibial lengthening was 42 mm (7.2 to 18.8%). The consolidation index was 18.1 to 21.3 days/cm for single-segment lengthenings and 11.5 days/cm (mean) for two-segment lengthenings (taking into account both the femoral and tibial gain in length). The ideal moment of compression was 5.6 N/cm(2). Acceleration of the bone repairing process was evidenced by activation of the osteotrop hormone system. According to the SOFCOT classification of complications (1990), 60 patients (76.9%) were in category I, 15 (19.3%) in category II, and 3 (3.8%) in category III. DISCUSSION: Improvement of lengthening procedures with external fixators remains an important issue. Treatment periods are often long with consolidation indices for the femur ranging from 39.6 d/cm to 45 d/cm, which can lead to many types of complications. Use of a high-frequency progressive lengthening procedure based on the Ilizarov method considerably reduces the rate of complications compared with progressive lengthening methods and has allowed achieving more satisfactory results in a shorter treatment period. CONCLUSION: Multiple-segment lengthening using an automatic lengthening procedure set at 1 mm per day in four times provides an important reduction in the treatment delays since distraction is performed more rapidly and fewer steps are needed. Automatic high-frequency lengthening with the Ilizarov method provides optimal conditions for tissue regeneration: Treatment periods are shorter and anatomic and functional outcome is very satisfactory. Stimulation by extemporaneous compression of the regeneration zone allows a significant reduction in the duration of consolidation. Shorter delays to consolidation help avoid device-related complications.

Attempted limb lengthenings beyond twenty percent of the initial bone length: results and complications.

In response to historic guidelines suggesting limits to the amount of limb lengthening, we report the results and complications of those patients in whom the initial goal of lengthening exceeded 20% of the initial segment length. Thirty-one patients underwent a total of 35 attempted lengthenings with a mean follow-up of 38.6 months. Limb-length discrepancy was the primary indication in all but one case. With an average goal of 35% of the original bone length, we achieved a mean gain of 33%. Lengthening to within 2.5 cm was achieved in 31 (89%) of 35 cases, and significantly more successful with goals extending < or =55% of the initial bone length (p<0.05). Treatment times extended a mean of 8.7 months with a healing index of 37 days/cm. By Paley's classification scheme, all had problems, in addition to an average of 1.3 obstacles and 0.9 complications per segment lengthened. In 23 patients with extended follow-up, good to excellent results were achieved in 78%, and were significantly more successful with goals < or =55% (< or =0.05).

Resultados de alargamiento tibial con la técnica de ilizarov

Entre enero de 1992 y junio de 1997, 21 tibias en 21 pacientes se alargaron usando la técnica de ilizarov. El seguimiento fue de 5 meses a 5 años. La etiología del acortamiento en el miembro fue adquirido en 12 tibias y congénitas en 9. 20 tibias tuvieron tratamiento unifocal y una bifocal. El promedio de alargamiento fue de 6.0 cm, con un rango de 4 a 12 cm, el cual fue equivalente al 22.6 por ciento del promedio total de aumento en la longitud del segmento afectado, rango de 8.8 por ciento a 41 por ciento. El tiempo de corticalización del alargamiento fue en promedio 7 meses, con un rango de 4 a 12 meses. Las complicaciones a nivel óseo requirieron 7 cirugías adicionales, incluyendo 4 recolocaciones de clavos, 2 correcciones de deformidad angular en antecurvatum medinate recolocación del fijador y una por articotomía incompleta. 5 pacientes presentaron contractura en flexión de rodilla, 3 se movilizaron bajo anestesia y a 2 se les realizó deflexión de rodilla. Los resultados de este trabajo confirman que no hay alargamiento sin riesgo, pero existen ventajas evidentes con el método ilizarov, apoyo precoz, corrección simultánea de deformidades angulares coexistentes, lo que es difícil con otras técnicas quirúrgicas. La tasa de alargamiento y el índice de alargamiento obtenido en esta serie confirman el uso continuo de una distracción gradual previa selección del paciente.