Masquelet technique in military practice:specificities and future directions for combat-related bone defect reconstruction

Because of its simplicity,reliability,and replicability,the Masquelet induced membrane technique(IMT)has become one of the preferred methods for critical bone defect reconstruction in extremities.Although it is now used worldwide,few studies have been published about IMT in military practice.Bone reconstruction is particularly challenging in this context of care due to extensive soft-tissue injury,early wound infection,and even delayed management in austere conditions.Based on our clinical expertise,recent research,and a literature analysis,this narrative review provides an overview of the IMT application to combat-related bone defects.It presents technical specificities and future developments aiming to optimize IMT outcomes,including for the management of massive multi-tissue defects or bone reconstruction performed in the field with limited resources.

Implementation of the Masquelet Technique in Complicated Septic Non-union of the Ulna A Case Report

Abstract： Long bone septic non-union by MRSA （methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus） is always a challenge for the orthopaedic society. Traditional treatment options include distraction osteogenesis methods and vascularised bone grafting. These techniques require a high level of expertise and are frequently involved with a variety of side effects or complications. We present a rare case of ulnar fracture complicated by MRSA infection that led to septic non-union. We treated the septic non union with the technique of induced membrane formation （Masquelet technique）. A 33 year old male presented to the outpatient clinic, 2 months after internal fixation of a Gustillo I fracture of the left forearm. There was pus discharge from the operative wound and specimen culture was positive for MRSA. Initially the patient received conservative treatment with antibiotics for a period of one month. However, the patient returned with the same clinical presentation. The patient was then treated with hardware removal of the ulna and debridement of the septic non-union. The formed 5 cm bone defect was filled with cement spacer and the ulnar bone was fixed with external fixation. Eight weeks later, the spacer was removed and the bone gap was filled with autologous cancellous bone graft from iliac crest. Five months after grafting, the patient was reviewed. No clinical or functional problems were noted and osseous consolidation of the ulnar bone was confirmed in plain x-rays. The Masquelet technique is a promising alternative treatment for the management of infected long bone non-unions of the upper extremity.

Meta analysis of Masquelet technology and Llizarov technology in the treatment of infectious bone defects

Objective: To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Masquelet technology and Llizarov group technology in the treatment of infectious bone defects by meta-analysis. Methods: The computer searched China Knowledge Network (CNKI), Wanfang, VIP, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Pubmed, Medline, Cochrane Llibrary databases. The retrieval time was from the time of the establishment of the database to January 2020. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, randomized controlled trials on the treatment of infectious bone defects using Masquelet technology and Llizarov technology were collected, and the retrieved literature was independently screened, evaluated, and data extracted by two researchers, and then RevMan5.3 software was used so for meta-analysis. Results: A total of 10 RCT documents were included, with a total of 496 patients, including 242 in the Masquelet group and 254 in the Llizarov group. The results of the meta-analysis showed that: in terms of bone defect healing time, total weight bearing time, treatment cost, and complication rate, the Masquelet group was significantly different from the Llizarov group, and the Masquelet group was better than the Llizarov group (P <0.05);In terms of knee joint Lowa score and SF-36 score, Masquelet group has significant differences compared with Llizarov group, Llizarov group is better than Masquelet group (P <0.05);in excellent rate, number of operations, ankle Lowa score, infection control rate In terms of excellent rate of affected limb function, there was no significant difference between Masquelet group and Llizarov group (P> 0.05). Conclusion:Compared with Llizarov technology, Masquelet technology has obvious advantages in the treatment of infectious bone defects in terms of bone defect healing time, total weight-bearing time, treatment cost, and complication rate. In terms of scoring, it has advantages over Masquelet technology, but in terms of excellent treatment rate, number of operations, and ankle lowa score. In terms of infection control rate and excellent function of affected limbs, there was no significant difference between Masquelet technology and Llizarov technology,However, due to the low quality of the included studies and the small sample size, the exact efficacy still needs to be confirmed by higher quality RCT studies.

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.