Use of the Wagner apparatus in the treatment of compound fractures with segmental bone loss.
Treatment of non-union of long bone fractures with segmental bone loss is difficult problem. Fracture healing is commonly delayed due to the severe associated soft tissue injuries, deep wound infections and poor osteogenesis. The slow healing time often necessitates prolonged joint immobilization resulting in joint stiffness. In order to obtain satisfactory fracture union without adjacent joint contractures, the Wagner apparatus in conjunction with massive cancellous bone grafting has been employed at the Kobe University Hospital. Autogenous cancellous grafts provide a scaffolding for rapid vascular ingrowth and viable osteoblasts for osteogenesis. Graft incorporation and fracture union can be monitored by serial radiographs and radioisotope studies.
D000328:Adult; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010012:Osteogenesis