Use of the Ilizarov Technique for Treatment of Infected Non-Union

Jung, Sung Taek; song, eun Kyoo; Bae, Bong suk

Abstract

We reviewed infected non-union of tibia and femur which had been treated by radical resection of the necrotic bone and Ilizarov method in thirty-nine patients. All patients had either one-segment or two segment lengthening of bone with a technique of bone transport. The size of the bone defect that was bridged averaged 5.7cm (range, 2 to 16cm). All cases attained bone union and the infection was eradicated in all pattints before the fixator was removed. The mean duration of external fixator was 14 months(range, 4-28months). The mean external fixation index was 1.6 months/cm and the mean distraction index was 23.2 days/cm. The functional results were exellent in 3 patients, good in 19, fair in 9, poor in 8. The bone results were excellent in 5 patients, good in 20, fair in 10, poor in 4. Complication were pin tract infection in 15 patients, equinus contracture of ankle in 2, knee flexion contracture in 1, transient sensory change in 1, axial deviation in 2, premature consolidation in 2, delayed union in 2, and leg length discrepancy in 2, and refracture in 1. In conclusion, the Ilizarov method is very effective for treatment of infected non-union with bone loss, limb shortening and soft tissue defect.