Effect of a combination of local flap and sequential compression-distraction osteogenesis in the reconstruction of post-traumatic tibial bone and soft tissue defects.
BACKGROUND
Treatment of extensive post-traumatic composite bone and soft tissue defects remains a complicated therapeutic problem and a challenge for surgeons. We investigated the application of local flaps and Ilizarov osteogenesis in the reestablishment of severe combined defects of tibial bone and soft tissue.


METHODS
Sixteen patients with bone and soft tissue defects were included. The mean age of the patients was 31.5 years. The average time from injury to initial surgery was 14.4 weeks. The average soft tissue and bone defect sizes were 92.9 cm(2) and 8.7 cm, respectively. Local flaps were created to reconstruct the soft tissue defects. The Ilizarov external fixator or the Orthofix Limb Reconstruction System was used to reconstruct bony defects using delayed distraction osteogenesis.


RESULTS
Two myocutaneous flaps and 14 reverse island flaps were applied. All transferred flaps survived. Fifteen patients healed with equal leg length, and one healed with a residual leg-length discrepancy of 1.5 cm. One patient with an Ilizarov external fixator developed ankle joint stiffening and a pin-track infection that was successfully treated with oral antibiotics. No patient developed pin loosening. All patients walked without assistance. Fifteen patients returned to their work, and one lost her job. The results were evaluated using the Paley bone and functional assessment scores. The bone assessment results were excellent in 14 and good in two patients. Functional assessment scores were excellent in 13, good in two, and fair in one patient.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of local flaps and sequential distraction osteogenesis can be used for successful reconstruction of defects of incorporated bone and soft tissue.
Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing 100035, China.
Xiao-hua
XH
Hu
Lei
L
Huang
Zhong
Z
Chen
Wei-li
WL
DU
Cheng
C
Wang
Yu-ming
YM
Shen
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013977:Tibia / Q000293:injuries*