OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of allogeneic decalcified bone graft in the treatment of nonunion in children. METHODS From April 1990 to September 1997, 17 children with nonunion were adopted in this study. Among them, there were 10 boys and 7 girls, the age ranged from 2 to 13 years. The allogeneic decalcified bone graft taken from fresh corpse by aseptic manipulation were used to repair 3 cases of congenital nonunion and 14 cases of acquired nonunion. RESULTS All cases were followed up 2 to 9 years after operation, 9 cases were cured successfully and 7 cases were cured after twice operations. One case of congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia was operated twice and there were callus grown half years after the second operation, but reoccurred after one year. Although there were 1.5 cm to 3 cm shortening deformity of extremity including another 2 cases of congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia and 5 cases of nonunion caused by chronic osteomyelitis, the function of joint was normal. CONCLUSION Treatment of nonunion in children by allogeneic decalcified bone graft is a valuable technique in clinical practice. It is characterised by high capacity of osteoinduction, low antigenicity, rapid bony union, plentiful source of bone graft and convenient utilization.
Thirteen patients with intractable nonunions of fractures of long bones were sucessfully treated by a combination of internal fixation and implantation of bBMP. There was an average of 1.5 operative procedures per patient in an attempting to establish reunion prior to bBMP implantation. Union was obtained in 12 of the 13 patients exapt in one who gained success from establish the second attempt. The average time requited to union was 4.7 months. No complication was seen.
Objective To observe the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in fracture healing and to investigate the influence of VEGF and VEGF antibody in fracture healing. Methods One hundred and five rabbits were used tomake fracture model in the left radius and randomly divided into control group,VEGF group and VEGF antibody group. VEGF and VEGF antibody were used in the VEGF group and VEGF antibody group respectively, then the blood flow of the fracture ends was measured by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) 8,24 , 72 hours, 1, 3, 5 and 8 weeks after fracture, the X-ray films of the fracture sites were taken after 1, 3, 5 and 8 weeks to observe the fracture healing. Results The blood flow of the fracture ends in the VEGF groupincreased during aperiod from 8h to 3wk after fraction when compared with that of the control group, and no obvious difference was seen on the X-ray films between the two groups. In the VEGF antibody group, the blood flow of the fracture ends decreased obviously when compared with that of the control group. The fracture healing processwas interfered seriously and nonunion change was seen in the fracture site. Conclusion The lack of VEGF will interfere with the fracture healing process and result in nonunion in the fracture site. Administration of ectogenous VEGF may promote fracture healing by increasing the blood flow of the fracture ends.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the anatomic feature and clinical application of the bone (periosteum) flap pedicled with upper muscular branches of lateral femoral muscle. METHODS: The anatomic features and distribution of upper muscular branches of lateral femoral muscle were observed in the lower extremities of 40 adult cadavers. From February 1989 to February 1999, 7 cases with bone defect or nonunion of upper part of femur were treated with transfer of bone (periosteum) flap pedicled with upper muscular branches of lateral femoral muscle. RESULTS: The upper muscular branches of lateral femoral muscle originated from the transversal branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery. The musculoperiosteal branch and periosteal branch were originated at 16.8 +/- 3.0 cm below the greater trochanter. The diameter and length of musculoperiosteal branch were 1.4 to 1.7 mm and 2.7 to 5.6 cm, those of the periosteal branch were 0.4 to 0.6 mm and 1.2 to 1.5 cm respectively. Bone union achieved in 10 to 18 weeks after operation in all 7 cases after 18 to 42 months follow-up. The motion of hip joint reached 180 degrees in 4 cases, 120 degrees in 2 cases and 65 degrees in 1 case. The donor area recovered well. CONCLUSION: The bone (periosteum) flap pedicled with upper muscular branches of lateral femoral muscle is an effective alternative for repairing the bone defect or nonunion of the upper or middle part of femur.
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of percutaneous bone marrow graft for the management of nonunion of tibia. METHODS From March 1996 to June 2000, 56 cases with nonunion of tibia were treated by autogenous bone marrow graft. Among them, there were 38 males and 18 females, aged from 19 to 72 years. A marrow needle was inserted into the site of the nonunion under the X-ray, the autogenous bone marrow was injected into the site of nonunion. Compression bandage and appropriate immobilization material were applied after operation. This procedure was repeated every month, 2 or 3 times was needed. RESULTS 56 patients were followed-up for 4 months to 4 years and 2 months, averaged 2.8 years. Fracture healed in 53 cases and X-ray displayed fracture line disappeared and a great deal of continuous callus formed, and nonunion in 3 cases. CONCLUSION Percutaneous autogenous bone marrow graft can play a role in osteogenesis at the site of nonunion. It is easy to aspirate bone marrow and the operation is simple. It has clinical application value for the satisfactory effect.
ObjectiveTo investigate the surgical procedures and results of nonunion of lateral humeral condyle fracture combined with cubitus valgus. MethodsBetween January 2006 and September 2011, 19 cases of nonunion of lateral humeral condyle fracture combined with cubitus valgus were treated with supracondylar closing wedge osteotomy, open reduction, autogenous bone grafting, and internal fixation. There were 11 males and 8 females, aged 14-28 years (mean, 21.6 years). The left side was involved in 7 cases, and the right side in 12 cases. The disease duration was 3-22 years (mean, 9 years). The osseous protuberance and enlargement were seen in the lateral condyle of all the cases, with cubitus valgus. Compared with the contralateral side, the angle of cubitus valgus deformity increased (34.00±7.68)° at the affected side. The elbow range of motion of flexion and extension was (117.35±19.77)° in the other 17 patients except 2 patients with joint stiff. Among them, 10 patients had limited mobility. Three patients had ulnar neuritis. ResultsAll the patients obtained primary healing of incision, and no surgery-related complication occurred. Nineteen patients were followed up 2-6 years (mean, 3.2 years). Bony union at lateral condylar fracture site and the supracondylar osteotomy site was achieved in all cases within 6 months postoperatively. In 3 patients with ulnar neuritis, the symptoms of nerve injury disappeared within 6 months. At last follow-up, the angle of cubitus valgus deformity increased (3.21±4.09)° at the affected side when compared with the contralateral side, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative angle (t=30.472, P=0.000). The range of motion of the elbow was 20° and 30° in 2 patients with joint stiff before operation; the elbow range of motion of flexion and extension was (117.64±15.72)° in the other 17 patients, showing no significant difference when compared with preoperative value (t=-0.180, P=0.859). According to the appearance of the elbow, range of motion, and complications, the overall results were classified as excellent in 9 patients, good in 8 patients, and poor in 2 patients; the excellent and good rate was 89.5%. ConclusionSupracondylar closing wedge osteotomy can correct the cubitus valgus deformity and improve the symptoms of ulnar neuritis. Open reduction, autogenous bone grafting, and internal fixation for nonunion of the lateral condyle can effectively stabilize the lateral condylar fracture and promote fracture healing.
OBJECTIVE To investigate a new operative method for repairing nonunion and defect of tibia. METHODS First, observe the relation between the joint branches of descending genicular artery and the saphenous branch of descending genicular artery in 10 cadevers. Then the medial femoral condylar bone flap pedicled with the saphenous vessels was prepared in 4 cadavers for simulated purpose. Clinically, two patients with tibial nonunion were treated by transplantation of this pedicled bone flap. RESULTS: In the 4 simulated operations, the ink which was injected into the femoral artery could be released from the joint branches. And in the clinical operation, the area of the pedicled bone flaps were 5.0 cm x 2.0 cm x 1.5 cm and 4.5 cm x 1.5 cm x 1.5 cm respectively. Followed up for 8 to 12 weeks, the fracture unioned well. CONCLUSION: This operation is simple and reliable, it is characterised by 1. unnecessary to anastomosis the vessels 2. reliable blood supply 3. high quality of bone flap 4. either bone flap or bone-skin flap can be chosen 5. long vessel pedicle.
Objective To explore the effectiveness of Ilizarov external fixation without bone graft in the treatment of atrophic femoral shaft nonunion. Methods The clinical data of 12 patients with atrophic femoral shaft nonunion admitted between October 2010 and January 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 8 males and 4 females, aged from 24 to 61 years, with an average age of 41.7 years. The nonunion sites located in the middle and upper femur in 7 cases and in the distal femur or supracondylar in 5 cases. The disease duration ranged from 1 to 9 years, with an average of 3.7 years. Previous operations ranged from 1 to 9 times, with an average of 2.8 times. The original fixator was removed, the fracture end of nonunion was debrided, and Ilizarov external fixator was installed. In patients with the length of bone defect less than 4 cm, direct compression fixation was performed during operation; in patients with limb shortening more than 2.5 cm, proximal femoral osteotomy and bone lengthening components were required to prepare limb lengthening after operation; all patients did not receive bone graft. The wearing time of external fixator, clinical bone healing time of nonunion fracture end, and complications were recorded. The effectiveness was evaluated by Paley’s nonunion evaluation criteria. Results All patients were followed up 24-50 months, with an average of 30 months. Bony union was achieved in all 12 cases with a healing time of 6.0-23.5 months (mean, 11.5 months). The wearing time of external fixator ranged from 7 to 25 months, with an average of 13.5 months. At last follow-up, according to Paley’s nonunion evaluation criteria, the results were excellent in 6 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 2 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 83.3%. Sagittal angulation deformity of femur more than 7° occurred in 4 cases, with no significant effect on knee extension function, and no special treatment such as osteotomy was performed. Two patients had shorter limbs (>2.5 cm) after operation and were replaced by high shoes; 4 patients with trans-knee fixation lost knee joint mobility of 10-30° after operation; 10 cases of needle tract infection occurred, of which 4 cases with infection and loosening of fixed needle were replaced and re-fixed after needle extraction, the remaining 6 cases of infection without loosening of fixed needle were controlled by local dressing change, needle nursing, and oral cephalosporin anti-inflammatory drugs. No complications such as deep infection and vascular nerve injury occurred. Conclusion Ilizarov external fixation has a high healing rate for atrophic femoral shaft nonunion, which is relatively minimally invasive and can avoid bone grafting. Its preliminary effectiveness is exact, and it is also effective for patients who have experienced multiple failed operations. It is necessary to pay attention to the nursing and rehabilitation training after external fixation.
To evaluate the initial cl inical effect of the autologous bone marrow integrating artificial bone and il ium periosteum transplantation in treatment of problematic nonunion. Methods From January 2004 to July 2006, 12 patients (13 l imbs)with problematic nonunion were treated with autologous bone marrow integrating artificial bone and il iumperiosteum. There were 8 males and 4 females, aged 17-58 years old. The position of nonunion were the tibia in 7 l imbs, the femur in 3 l imbs, the humerus in 2 l imbs. The operated number was 1-4, mean 2.5. The time from injury to therapy was 13 months to 9 years, mean 47.6 months. The bone defect distance was 6-30 mm (mean 15 mm) through 1 ∶ 1 X-rays before operation. Eleven l imbs were treated by internal fixation (10 l imbs by the bone nail and 1 l imb by the l imited contact-dynamic compression plate), 2 l imbs were treated by the external fixation. The X-ray films were taken at 1 day, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 months after operation to observe fracture union. Results All patients were followed up for 12-26 months (mean 17.5 months) and achieved union within 4-7 months (mean 6 months). No deformity of rotation, angulation and crispation occurred in 13 l imbs, but functional impairment occurred in 6 l imbs after union of fracture. Conclusion Autologous bone marrow integrating artificial bone and il ium periosteum transplantation for treatment of problematic nonunion has the satisfactory result.