Relevant advances in bone lengthening research: a bibliometric analysis of the 100 most-cited articles published from 2001 to 2017

The 50 most influential papers pertaining to the Ilizarov method: A bibliometric analysis

The Ilizarov method has become a widely recognised surgical technique. A bibliometric analysis of the 50 most-cited publications relating to the Ilizarov method was carried out. Cumulative number of citations was 4,918. Mean number of citations was 98. h-index was 50. Impact factor of these journals ranged from 0.5-5.082. Our study suggests that a highly cited and influential paper likely originated from an American journal with a high impact factor and was published in the 1990s/2000s. Our compilation of the 50 most influential papers on the Ilizarov method will prove invaluable to those in training and those involved in further advancing the technique.

Acute-shortening and re-lengthening (ASRL) procedure with monorail fixator to treat femur/tibia nonunion: A retrospective study

Background

The distraction osteogenesis procedure has a high potential to treat bone defect problems. The alternative technique to treat nonunion associated with a bone defect is the acute shortening and re-lengthening (ASRL) procedure. This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of ASRL procedure with a monorail fixator to treat femur/tibia nonunion associated with the bone defect.

Method

Retrospective analysis was performed to patients who received ASRL procedure with monorail fixator for femur or tibia nonunion from October 2018 to October 2020 at Prof. Dr. R. Soeharso Orthopaedic hospital. One case was loss to follow-up and excluded from the study. The rest of 16 cases were included for further analysis. The evaluation was performed to the demographic, intraoperative procedure, problems/complications, additional procedure, and final outcome.

Results

There were 13 male and three female patients with age ranged from 16 to 64 years old. The follow-up period ranges 9-31 months. ASRL procedures performed to 6 femur and 10 tibias. The problems/complications: two cases with problems associated with callus formation, two cases of fracture at corticotomy site, one case of skin necrosis, one case of osteomyelitis, one case of malrotation. Additional surgical procedures were needed 5/16 (31.2%) cases. Evaluation at the final follow-up period showed 14/16 (87.5%) cases had a complete bone union.

Conclusions

Acute shortening and re-lengthening (ASRL) could be reliable as a method of treatment for femur/tibia nonunion associated with the bone defect. Several possible complications need to be considered prior to perform this procedure.