Abstract
Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Ilizarov method in treating septic nonunions of lower extremities. Method: Between 1990–2001, 74 patients (59 males and 15 females), with infected nonunion of the tibia and femur were treated using the Ilizarov device (the monofocal or bifocal com-pressiondistraction technique). The average age was 36 years (range 17–68 years) and the patients were evaluated using a modiþed Paley classiþcation for septic nonunions. The mean preoperative bone defect was 9 cm (range 3–18 cm) and it was present in 39 of 74 patients. The mean lengthening index was 36 days/cm (range 27–42 days/cm), the mean external þxation time was 6,3 months (range 3–24 months) and the mean follow up period after frame removal was 4 years (range 1–11 years). Results: Bone union was achieved in all 74 patients (100%) with no infection recurrence. The bone results were excellent in 52 patients (70%), good in 11 (15%), fair in 6 (8%) and poor in 5 (7%), whereas the functional results were excellent in 27 patients (36,5%), good in 35 (47%), fair in 7 (9,5%) and poor in 5 (7%). In four patients bone grafting at the docking site was needed. Late complications included: 9 axial deformities (12,2%), 2 re-fractures (2,7%) and 28 patients (37,8%) with joint stiffness. Conclusions: The Ilizarov technique in the treatment of septic nonunion has a high rate of success considering bone union, bone loss restoration and eradication of infection Sports Ð varia
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Dr. Frantz Langlais. Correspondence should be addressed to him at EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
