title: Managing large bone defects in children: a systematic review of the 'induced membrane technique'.
abstract: Thirty years after its description by Masquelet in 1986, this is the first systematic review aiming to critically evaluate the 'induced membrane technique' effectiveness in achieving bone union in children. Only six papers fulfilled our inclusion criteria (54 patients). The relatively small number of reported cases did not allow a formal meta-analysis. The tibia was the most involved bone. Most frequent aetiologies were congenital pseudoarthrosis and tumour resections. Although effective in achieving bone healing in ∼91% of the patients (bone defects ≤24 cm long), the induced membrane technique was associated with a high rate of complications (54% of patients).
  
  
  METHODS
  IV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reconstructive Surgery and Osteo-articular Infections C.R.I.O. Unit, I.R.C.C.S. Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute.|University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Morelli
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Microbiology, I.R.C.C.S. Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute.|University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Drago
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, University College London Hospitals, London, UK.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: George
authors.affiliation: Department of Reconstructive Surgery and Osteo-articular Infections C.R.I.O. Unit, I.R.C.C.S. Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute.
authors.forename: Delia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Romanò
authors.affiliation: Department of Reconstructive Surgery and Osteo-articular Infections C.R.I.O. Unit, I.R.C.C.S. Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute.
authors.forename: Carlo L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Romanò
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D017102:Fracture Healing; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013977:Tibia / Q000473:pathology*; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery