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(Pub Med, 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.

Comparison of anatomical and functional outcomes of different surgical techniques in myopic macular hole without retinal detachment

AIM:To define the anatomic and functional outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy(PPV)with internal limiting membrane(ILM)peeling,inverted ILM flap and free ILM patch graft technique for the treatment of myopic macular hole(MH)without retinal detachment.METHODS:Sixty-four eyes of 64 patients who underwent PPV for myopic MH were included.Group 1 consists of patients underwent ILM peeling(n=26),and Groups 2 and 3 consists of patient underwent free ILM patch graft(n=20)and inverted ILM flap procedure(n=18)respectively.Outcomes following surgery were MH closure and best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)in logMAR at 6mo.RESULTS:Closure of MH was obtained in 20 eyes(76.9%)of the Group 1,in 16 eyes(80%)of the Group 2 and in 16 eyes(88.9%)of the Group 3.The mean preoperative and postoperative BCVA was 1.60±0.53 logMAR and 1.27±0.58 logMAR,respectively(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the postoperative BCVA and anatomical closure rates in the three groups.Although the anatomical closure rate did not differ significantly in the groups,closure of MH tended to be better in the inverted ILM flap technique group at 6mo.CONCLUSION:Different surgical techniques may provide favorable visual and anatomical results for myopic MH surgery.ILM flap techniques offer higher closure rates compared to ILM peeling technique.However,in terms of visual outcomes,the study reveals no difference in three surgical techniques.

Free vascularized fibular grafting for treatment of old femoral neck fractures

The internal fixation failure for treatment of femoral neck fracture is mainly due to improper fixation, loss of fixation stability and premature ambulation. Bone nonunion and avascular osteonecrosis of the femoral head caused by the internal fixation failure for femoral neck fracture are always the complex topics in orthopedics. With regard to patients who sustain these complications, total hip arthroplasty is a proper choice for elderly patients, but is not acceptable by young patients. We report nine patients with the failure of internal fixation for femoral neck fracture who were treated with free vascularized fibular grafting and internal fixation with cannulated screw from November 2001 to October 2003. All of them achieved good results.

Study on Different Types of Skin Flap Transplantation to Repair Forefoot Damaged Injury

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of different types of skin flap transplantation in repairing forefoot lesion.Methods From January 2016 to June 2019,62 patients with forefoot damage were selected and their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.All the selected patients received skin flap transplantation and repair,of which 26 patients received free myocutaneous flap transplantation and repair,and were treated as group A.The other 36 patients underwent retrograde foot flap transplantation and repair.They were taken as group B,and the clinical treatment methods and curative effects were summarized.Results Among the 26 patients in group A,the skin flaps of 21 patients survived completely,while those of the other 5 patients showed partial necrosis at the edge of the skin flaps.They were treated with free skin grafting and healed after regular dressing change.All the skin flaps survived.Follow-up for at least 6 months showed that 11 patients had mild claudication and skin flap sensation was slightly poor.Among the 36 patients in group B,only 2 cases suffered from distal partial necrosis after the operation,which was caused by large tension after dorsum pedis flap transplantation.After systematic treatment and regular dressing change by doctors,the flaps of 2 patients healed.In addition,venous reflux disorder occurred in 3 patients with medial saphenous nerve nutrient vessel flap of the foot,which was related to swelling factors.The flaps of other patients survived,healed well and did not show infection symptoms.Conclusion According to the actual condition of patients with forefoot damage,the flap repair method is formulated,which has good short-term and long-term therapeutic effects and plays an important role in repairing forefoot damage.

Modified Masquelet technique in children

Masquelet technique is one of the modalities for the treatment of long bone defect.Using cancellous bone graft to fill the bone defect is always a concern in children due to the small size of their iliac crest and open growth plate.We reported a case of 13-year-old male who presented with gap non-union of middle third of tibia.We applied a modified Masquelet technique by using only the cortical fibular graft instead of cancellous bone to fill the space surrounded by induced membrane.Fibula was used as a nonvascularized strut graft and matched stick graft to achieve complete union.We concluded that nonvascularized fibula grafting is an easy and effective option to fill the bone defect in children in the second stage of Masquelet technique.