[Tibial infected nonunion treated by internal bone transport using the mono-lateral external fixation].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical and functional outcomes of infected nonunion of the tibia by internal bone transport using the LRS mono-lateral external fixation.


METHODS
From June 2003 to October 2005, twenty-eight patients who underwent internal bone transport for infected nonunion in the tibia were reviewed. Twenty-three cases were open fractures: grade IIIA, 5 cases; grade IIIB, 11 cases; grade IIIC, 7 cases. The other five cases were infected nonunion after internal fixation. The results were evaluated by the classification of the Association for the Study and Application of the Method of Ilizarove (ASAMI) which divided into bone and functional categories.


RESULTS
Mean follow-up was 16 months. All the cases got primary bone union, and infection was controlled. Bone results were 14 excellent, 9 good, 2 fair and 3 poor. And functional results were 10 excellent, 13 good, 2 fair and 3 poor. The mean length of time in healing for all patients were 9 months. The mean length of regenerate bone were 6.6 cm. The most common complication was pin infection, and 2 cases refractured at the docking site.


CONCLUSIONS
Tibial infected nonunion can be successfully treated using the internal bone transport technique.
Zheng
Qiang
Q
Department of Orthopedics, Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China.
Wu
Hao-bo
HB
Li
Hang
H
Pan
Zhi-jun
ZJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D018889:Ilizarov Technique / Q000295:instrumentation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome