title: The use of Papineau technique for the treatment of diabetic and non-diabetic lower extremity pseudoarthrosis and chronic osteomyelitis.
abstract: The treatment of 31 consecutive adult patients, ages 25-67 years with chronic draining osteomyelitis (12 cases) or infected pseudarthrosis (19 cases) by the Papineau technique was retrospectively reviewed. The initial injury was an open fracture in 24 patients and a closed fracture in 7 patients. In all cases an Ilizarov circular external fixation device was used for the stabilization of the fracture or for bone lengthening. Mean follow-up for the group was 20 months (range, 10 months to 5 years) and there was successful limb salvage in all cases with eradication of infection and bone consolidation was achieved. The Ilizarov circular external fixation was removed at a mean of 18 weeks (range, 14-24 weeks). The mean time to bone union was 5 months (range, 4-10 months). All patients returned to their pre-treatment activity levels or better.
authors.affiliation: Fourth Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, KAT General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Vasilios D
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Polyzois
authors.forename: Spyridon P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Galanakos
authors.forename: Vassiliki A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Tsiampa
authors.forename: Ioannis D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Papakostas
authors.forename: Nikiforos K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Kouris
authors.forename: Adrian M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Avram
authors.forename: Apostolos E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Papalois
authors.forename: Ioannis A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Ignatiadis