title: [Infected tibial nonunions--treatment by the Ilizarov method: multicentric study].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Associated bone tissue defect and infection, commonly result in non-healing, i.e., by the development of infected tibial nonunion.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the paper was to present experiences acquired in the treatment of this problem by the application of the Ilizarov method.
  
  
  METHODS
  The analyses enrolled 16 patients diagnosed with infected tibial nonunion.The Ilizarov method was used in all the patients, of type bilocal synchronous compressive-distractive or bilocal alternating compressive-distractive. Bone and functional results were classified as excellent, good, fair and poor. Total follow-up period of the patients was 48.77 +/- 41.57 months on the average.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen (93.75%) cases of nonunions were successfully healed. According to the laboratory findings of inflammation, the same patients were also successfully treated for local infection. The inequality of the lower limbs was also resolved by new bone formation of average length of 5.75 +/- 3.29 cm. Poor result was verified in one (6.25%) patient only. The patient satisfaction was scored 3.73 +/- 1.33 and physician's satisfaction 4.33 +/- 1.11.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Ilizarov method with bone transport, because of being capable to solve simultaneously a local infection and tibial malalignement, and by substituting bone and soft tissue defects, thus enabling healing of until then unhealed bone, has shown as the best method in the treatment of this complex problem, infected tibial nonunions.
authors.forename: Zoran
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Vukašinović
authors.forename: Dušan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Spasovski
authors.forename: Čedomir
authors.initials: Č
authors.lastname: Vučetić
authors.forename: Vesna
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jovanović
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Šešlija
authors.forename: Zorica
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Živković
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D017102:Fracture Healing; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D018889:Ilizarov Technique; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D011859:Radiography; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult