Ilizarov bone transport combined with the Masquelet technique for bone defects of various etiologies (preliminary results)

BACKGROUND

The Ilizarov bone transport (IBT) and the Masquelet induced membrane technique (IMT) have specific merits and shortcomings, but numerous studies have shown their efficacy in the management of extensive long-bone defects of various etiologies, including congenital deficiencies. Combining their strong benefits seems a promising strategy to enhance bone regeneration and reduce the risk of refractures in the management of post-traumatic and congenital defects and nonunion that failed to respond to other treatments.

AIM

To combine IBT and IMT for the management of severe tibial defects and pseudarthrosis, and present preliminary results of this technological solution.

METHODS

Seven adults with post-traumatic tibial defects (subgroup A) and nine children (subgroup B) with congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) were treated with the combination of IMT and IBT after the failure of previous treatments. The mean number of previous surgeries was 2.0 ± 0.2 in subgroup A and 3.3 ± 0.7 in subgroup B. Step 1 included Ilizarov frame placement and spacer introduction into the defect to generate the induced membrane which remained in the interfragmental gap after spacer removal. Step 2 was an osteotomy and bone transport of the fragment through the tunnel in the induced membrane, its compression and docking for consolidation without grafting. The outcomes were retrospectively studied after a mean follow-up of 20.8 ± 2.7 mo in subgroup A and 25.3 ± 2.3 mo in subgroup B.

RESULTS

The “true defect” after resection was 13.3 ± 1.7% in subgroup A and 31.0 ± 3.0% in subgroup B relative to the contralateral limb. Upon completion of treatment, defects were filled by 75.4 ± 10.6% and 34.6 ± 4.2%, respectively. Total duration of external fixation was 397 ± 9.2 and 270.1 ± 16.3 d, including spacer retention time of 42.4 ± 4.5 and 55.8 ± 6.6 d, in subgroups A and B, respectively. Bone infection was not observed. Postoperative complications were several cases of pin-tract infection and regenerate deformity in both subgroups. Ischemic regeneration was observed in two cases of subgroup B. Complications were corrected during the course of treatment. Bone union was achieved in all patients of subgroup A and in seven patients of subgroup B. One non-united CPT case was further treated with the Ilizarov compression method only and achieved union. After a follow-up period of two to three years, refractures occurred in four cases of united CPT.

CONCLUSION

The combination of IMT and IBT provides good outcomes in post-traumatic tibial defects after previous treatment failure but external fixation is longer due to spacer retention. Refractures may occur in severe CPT.

International recognition of the Ilizarov bone reconstruction techniques: Current practice and research (dedicated to 100th birthday of G. A. Ilizarov)

The Ilizarov method is one of the current methods used in bone reconstruction. It originated in the middle of the past century and comprises a number of bone reconstruction techniques executed with a ring external fixator developed by Ilizarov GA. Its main merits are viable new bone formation through distraction osteogenesis, high union rates and functional use of the limb throughout the course of treatment. The study of the phenomenon of distraction osteogenesis induced by tension stress with the Ilizarov apparatus was the impetus for advancement in bone reconstruction surgery. Since then, the original method has been used along with a number of its modifications developed due to emergence of new fixation devices and techniques of their application such as hexapod external fixators and motorized intramedullary lengthening nails. They gave rise to a relatively new orthopedic subspecialty termed “limb lengthening and reconstruction surgery”. Based on a comprehensive literature search, we summarized the recent clinical practice and research in bone reconstruction by the Ilizarov method with a special focus on its modification and recognition by the world orthopedic community. The international influence of the Ilizarov method was reviewed in regard to the origin country of the authors and journal’s rating. The Ilizarov method and other techniques based on distraction osteogenesis have been used in many countries and on all populated continents. It proves its international significance and confirms the greatest contribution of Ilizarov GA to bone reconstruction surgery.

Role of the Ilizarov non-free bone plasty in the management of long bone defects and nonunion: Problems solved and unsolved

BACKGROUND

Ilizarov non-free bone plasty is a method of distraction osteogenesis using the Ilizarov apparatus for external fixation which originated in Russia and was disseminated across the world. It has been used in long bone defect and nonunion management along with free vascularized grafting and induced membrane technique. However, the shortcomings and problems of these methods still remain the issues which restrict their overall use.

AIM

To study the recent available literature on the role of Ilizarov non-free bone plasty in long bone defect and nonunion management, its problems and the solutions to these problems in order to achieve better treatment outcomes.

METHODS

Three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched for literature sources on distraction osteogenesis, free vascularized grafting and induced membrane technique used in long bone defect and nonunion treatment within a five-year period (2015-2019). Full-text clinical articles in the English language were selected for analysis only if they contained treatment results, complications and described large patient samples (not less than ten cases for congenital, post-tumor resection cases or rare conditions, and more than 20 cases for the rest). Case reports were excluded.

RESULTS

Fifty full-text articles and reviews on distraction osteogenesis were chosen. Thirty-five clinical studies containing large series of patients treated with this method and problems with its outcome were analyzed. It was found that distraction osteogenesis techniques provide treatment for segmental bone defects and nonunion of the lower extremity in many clinical situations, especially in complex problems. The Ilizarov techniques treat the triad of problems simultaneously (bone loss, soft-tissue loss and infection). Management of tibial defects mostly utilizes the Ilizarov circular fixator. Monolateral fixators are preferable in the femur. The use of a ring fixator is recommended in patients with an infected tibial bone gap of more than 6 cm. High rates of successful treatment were reported by the authors that ranged from 77% to 100% and depended on the pathology and the type of Ilizarov technique used. Hybrid fixation and autogenous grafting are the most applicable solutions to avoid after-frame regenerate fracture or deformity and docking site nonunion.

CONCLUSION

The role of Ilizarov non-free bone plasty has not lost its significance in the treatment of segmental bone defects despite the shortcomings and treatment problems encountered.

Management of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia with the Ilizarov method in a paediatric population: influence of aetiological factors

PURPOSE

Our study compared the rates of union achieved with the Ilizarov method in congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) or CPT of idiopathic origin in paediatric patients.

METHODS

We studied the outcomes of 28 children that were treated for CPT between 2005 and 2013. Group 1 included children (n = 14, mean age = 9.7 years) with CPT associated with NF1 while group 2 were CPT cases that had radiographic confirmation of dysplastic lesions in the tibia but lacked clinical NF1 manifestations (n = 14, mean age = 8.6 years). There was no statistical difference between the groups regarding their age or number of previous operations per patient. Individual technical solutions were planned for each patient but coaptation of bone fragments and autologous local tissue grafting to achieve a greater bone thickness and contact area at the pseudarthrosis level were mainly used. Refracture-free rate after the first operation, number of re-operations per patient, and union rates in the groups were compared.

RESULTS

Bone union and weight bearing were obtained in all the cases after the first operation. Refracture-free rate was 42.86 % in group 1 and 35.71% in group 2 (no statistical difference, p > 0.05). Mean number of re-operations per patient was 1.07 and 0.78 respectively (p > 0.05). Subsequent treatment for refractures with the Ilizarov techniques gained 92.86% of union in both groups at the follow-ups by completion of the study (range, 2-9 years).

CONCLUSIONS

The Ilizarov method yields comparable results in the management of CPT associated with NF1 or tibial dysplasia of idiopathic origin in paediatric cases. Further research should focus on the ways to support the Ilizarov method in order to reduce the number of repetitive surgeries or eliminate them.

Reconstruction by bone transport after resection of benign tumors of tibia: A retrospective study of 38 patients

BACKGROUND

The commonly used reconstructive options after post resection defects in bone tumors like megaprosthesis, autograft, allograft, bone graft substitutes and recycled bone have their own demerits on a long term. Bone transport that regenerates patient's own bone is a less explored option of reconstruction after resection of benign bone tumors and reports on this are limited. This technique is very much relevant in tibia where Ilizarov fixator is surgeon and patient friendly. We report our experience.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective series of resection and bone transport in 38 patients with benign tumor of tibia. There were 14 males and 24 females with mean age of 23.40 years (range 9-40 years). Lesion was located in proximal third tibia in 27, middle third in two and distal third in nine patients. The diagnosis was giant cell tumor in 32, chondroblastoma in three, chondromyxoid fibroma, enchondroma and desmoplasic fibroma in one patient each. The resection was intercalary in 28 and transarticular in 10 patients. Osteosynthesis was monofocal in three, bifocal in 31 and polyfocal in four cases.

RESULTS

Mean followup was 7.22 years (range 1.5-15 years). Mean resection length was 10.21 cm (range 3-22 cm). The mean duration of external fixator was 308.03 days (range 89-677 days) and mean external fixator index was 36.14 days/cm (range 16.84-97.43 days/cm). Twelve patients had difficulties in the form of 11 problems and five obstacles that were successfully managed. None of the patients had local recurrence of tumor or any long term complication. Mean Musculo-skeletal Tumour Society score at final followup was 27.18 (90.60%).

CONCLUSIONS

Bone transport is an excellent option after resection of benign tumors of tibia with good local control and functional outcome, despite minor difficulties that need timely management.

Ilizarov non-free bone plasty for extensive tibial defects

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to present a retrospective comparative overview of the Ilizarov non-free bone plasty techniques of one-stage multilevel fragment lengthening and gradual tibilisation of the fibula used for extensive tibial defect management.

METHODS

Extensive tibial defects in 83 patients were managed either by multilevel fragment lengthening (group I, n = 41, mean defect size 13.1 ± 0.9 cm) or gradual tibilisation of the fibula (group II, n = 42, mean defect size 12.5 ± 1.2 cm) using the Ilizarov apparatus. The initial findings, treatment protocols and outcomes of those patients treated within the period 1972-2011 were studied retrospectively by medical records and radiographs, and statistically assessed with Microsoft Excel and Attestat software.

RESULTS

Group I had multilevel fragment lengthening over one stage that averaged 288.0 ± 14.4 days. The mean total period of gradual tibilisation of the fibula in group II was 316.0 ± 29.7 days. The patient's age in the latter group had an effect on the completeness of leg-length equalisation.

CONCLUSIONS

The techniques can be used to manage extensive tibial defects as all the defects bridged, leg-length discrepancy and deformity were corrected and patients were able to load their limbs.

Long bone reconstruction using multilevel lengthening of bone defect fragments

PURPOSE

This paper presents experimental findings to substantiate the use of multilevel bone fragment lengthening for managing extensive long bone defects caused by diverse aetiologies and shows its clinical introduction which could provide a solution for the problem of reducing the total treatment time.

METHODS

Both experimental and clinical multilevel lengthening to bridge bone defect gaps was performed with the use of the Ilizarov method only.

RESULTS

The experimental findings and clinical outcomes showed that multilevel defect fragment lengthening could provide sufficient bone formation and reduction of the total osteosynthesis time in one stage as compared to traditional Ilizarov bone transport. The method of multilevel regeneration enabled management of critical-size defects that measured on average 13.5 ± 0.7 cm in 78 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The experimental and clinical results proved the efficiency of the Ilizarov non-free multilevel bone plasty that can be recommended for practical use.