Objective To investigate the clinical significance of the distally-based sural musculocutaneous flap for the treatment of chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis. Methods From January 2002 to October 2005, 7 patients (4 males, 3 females; age range, 15-68 years ) were treated with the distallybased sural musculocutaneous flap, who had chronic calcanealosteomyelitis after calcaneal fracture. After the radical debridement for all the nonviable and poorly vascularized tissues, all the chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis patients, who had suffered from open calcaneal fracture or closed calcaneal fracture, were treated with the open reduction, the internal fixation, and thebone graft. The ulcer lasted for 3-12 months before diagnosis of osteomyelitis. The musculocutaneous flaps ranged in size from 8 cm×4 cm to 12 cm×7 cmand the muscle flaps ranged from 4 cm×3 cm to 6 cm×5 cm. The donor defects were closed primarily in 5 patients and were resurfaced with the splitthicknessskin graft in 2 patients. Results All the musculocutaneous flaps survived completely and all the wounds healed smoothly. All the patients followed up for 2-6 months had no recurrence of osteomyelitis or return to their preoperative ambulatory status.Conclusion It is feasible to use the distallybased sural musculocutaneous flap for treatment of chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis.
Objective To summarize the treatment of chronic osteomyel itis of the skull and its effectiveness. Methods Between January 2004 and February 2009, 24 patients with chronic osteomyel itis of skull were diagnosed and treated, including 16 males and 8 females with an average age of 45.6 years (range, 18-56 years). The mean disease duration was 5.8 years (range, 3-11 years). The causes included infection after craniotomy in 3 cases, burn in 15 cases, and electrical injury in 6 cases, and the leision was located at the frontal and parietal of the skull in 10 cases, at the temporal and parietal of skull in 8 cases, and at the occipital of the skull in 6 cases. The soft tissue defects ranged from 7 cm × 6 cm to 19 cm × 12 cm, and the skull defects ranged from 5 cm × 4 cm to 10 cm × 7 cm. After wide thorough debridement of necrotic tissue, soft tissue defects were repaired with adjacent scalp flap in 12 cases, trapezius myocutaneous flap in 6 cases, and free anterolateral thigh flap in 6 cases; the flap size ranged from 8 cm × 7cm to 20 cm × 13 cm. The donor sites were sutured directly or covered with spl itthickness skin. Results All pathological examinations showed pyogenic osteomyel itis of the skull, and local ized squamous carcinoma was found in 1 case. One patient had sub-flap infection at 2 weeks after operation, and heal ing was achieved after surgical removal of residual tissue; the remaining flaps survived, and incision healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 10 months to 4 years with an average of 2 years after operation. The color and texture of the flaps were good. No recurrence of osteomyel itis happened during follow-up. The patient diagnosed as having local ized squamous carcinoma was followed up 4 years without recurrence. At 3 to 6 months after operation, 8 patients had headache or felt dizzy, and the skull was reconstructed by the titanium meshes. Conclusion In patients with chronic osteomyel itis of skull, the infected foci should be cleaned out thoroughly as early as possible, and the skin flap or myocutaneous flap is used to repair the wounds, thus the good results can be achieved.
Objective To explore the clinical efficiency of vancomycin-loaded calcium phosphate cement (CPC) in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis (CO). Methods From December 1st 2014 to December 1st 2015, 98 patients with CO were randomly divided into the research group and the control group, with 49 in each group. The patients in the research group were primarily implanted with vancomycin-loaded CPC after debridement, while the ones in the control group were placed with irrigation and drainage device to take continous irrigation with antibiotics after debridement. The treatment effect and the recurrence rate in the two groups were observed. Results The patients in the two groups were followed up for 12 months. In the research group, 30 patients were cured, 16 were improved, and 3 were not improved with the total effective rate of 93.9%; no systemic adverse reactions and recurrence took place after the operation; X-ray results showed well CPC tamponade and partially degenerated osteogenesis. In the control group, 16 patients were cured, 20 were improved and 13 were not improved, with the total effective rate of 73.5%; 11 had recurrent inflammation in 2–6 months after operation and were reoperated again. Conclusion The primary implantation of vancomycin-loaded CPC in CO lesions can fill the dead space, resist infection persistently, induce osteogenesis in bone defect area, and reduce the recurrence of CO, which is an effective method for the treatment of CO.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of modified induced membrane technique and pedicled skin (myocutaneous) flap for chronic tibial osteomyelitis in patients with diabetes. Methods A clinical data of 22 diabetic patients with chronic tibial osteomyelitis between January 2017 and March 2019 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 15 males and 7 females with an average age of 52 years (range, 44-65 years). The course of diabetes was 3-12 years (mean, 6.1 years). The course of chronic osteomyelitis was 4 months to 7 years (mean, 3.3 years). The chronic osteomyelitis was rated as type Ⅲ in 9 cases and as type Ⅳ in 13 cases according to the Cierny-Mader classification criteria. Bacterial culture showed 21 cases of single bacterial infection and 1 case of mixed bacterial infection. Preoperative color Doppler ultrasound and CT angiography confirmed that the anterior and posterior tibial arteries were unobstructed. In the first stage of treatment, the bone and soft tissue defects were filled with antibiotic bone cement after the lesion was thoroughly debrided; the length of bone defect was 4-9 cm (mean, 5.6 cm), and the size of soft tissue defect was 5 cm×2 cm to 10 cm×7 cm. After 7-10 days, the bone cement was removed and a new antibiotic bone cement was filled into the bone defect. Meanwhile, the pedicled skin (myocutaneous) flap was performed to repair the wound. After 7-12 weeks, the inflammatory indexes returned to normal, autogenous iliac bone or combined with artificial bone was used to repair the bone defect in the second stage of treatment. The wound healing, bone defect healing, complications, and the number of successful treatments were recorded. The satisfaction of the skin flap efficacy and the function of the affected limb were evaluated. ResultsLocal necrosis of the skin flap occurred in 3 cases after operation, leading to delayed healing of the wound; the other 19 flaps survived successfully, leading to primary healing of the wound. The skin grafts survived completely and the incisions healed by first intention. All cases were followed up 13-28 months with an average of 20 months. The infection recurred in 2 cases within 12 months after operation, and the bone defects healed after treated by modified induced membrane technique. The bone defect healing rate was 100%; the bone healing time was 6-10 months, with an average of 8.9 months; the infection control rate and successful treatment rate were 90.9% (20/22) and 90.9% (20/22), respectively. At 12 months after operation, according to the satisfaction evaluation standard of skin flap efficacy formulated by ZHANG Hao et al., all were satisfied. According to Johner-Wruhs adjacent joint function method, the limb function recovery was excellent in 13 cases, good in 7 cases, and fair in 2 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 90.9%. ConclusionFor the treatment of chronic tibial osteomyelitis in patients with diabetes without vascular occlusion, the modified induced membrane technique and pedicled skin (myocutaneous) flap can repair bone and soft tissue defects, and control the infection at the same time, the short- and medium-term effectiveness are good.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) combined with open bone graft for tibial traumatic osteomyelitis. MethodsBetween June 2007 and December 2012, 23 cases of tibial traumatic osteomyelitis were treated, including 15 males and 8 females with an average age of 32.5 years (range, 22-48 years). The time from injury to admission was 7-18 months (mean, 8.6 months). There was local bone scarring in 15 cases, the size ranged from 8 cm×4 cm to 15 cm×8 cm. The CT multi-planar reconstruction was carried out preoperatively. Eleven cases had segmental bone sclerosis with a length of 1.5 to 3.8 cm (mean, 2.6 cm); 12 cases had partial bone sclerosis with a range of 1/3 to 2/3 of the bone diameter. On the basis of complete debridement, infection was controlled by VSD; bone defect was repaired by VSD combined with open bone graft. After there was fresh granulation tissue, the wound was repaired by free skin graft or local skin flap transfer. ResultsNail infection occurred in 2 cases, which was cured after the use of antibiotics. The wound healed at the first stage after repairing. All cases were followed up 10-18 months (mean, 13.5 months). In 11 cases of segmental bone sclerosis, the infection control time was 7-14 days (mean, 8.8 days); the bone healing time was 32-40 weeks (mean, 34.4 weeks); and the frequency of VSD was 3-6 times (mean, 4.5 times). In 12 cases of partial bone sclerosis, the infection control time was 7-12 days (mean, 8.3 days); the bone healing time was 24-31 weeks (mean, 27.3 weeks); and the frequency of VSD was 3-5 times (mean, 3.6 times). Infection recurred in 1 case, and the patient gave up the therapy. No infection recurrence was observed in the other patients. ConclusionThe VSD combined with open bone graft is an effective method for the treatment of tibial traumatic osteomyelitis.
Objective Bioactive borate glass (BG) has good biocompatibil ity and biodegradation. To investigate the feasibilty of bioactive borate glass as a carrier of the antibiotic controlled-releasing by implanting vancomycin-loaded BG (VBG)into the focus of tibia chronic osteomyel itis after debridement. Methods VBG and vancomycin-loaded calcium sulfate (VCS) were prepared with a vancomycin content of 80 mg/g. Sixty-five New Zealand white rabbits, weighing 2.12-3.91 kg (mean, 2.65 kg), were used. The tibia chronic osteomyel itis rabbit models were establ ished by injecting methicill in-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, 0.1 mL, 1 × 109 cfu/mL) into the right tibia of 65 rabbits. After 3 weeks of injection, 54 rabbits of successful models were randomly divided into groups A (n=11), B (n=11), C (n=16), and D (n=16). Simple debridement was performed in group A; BG, VCS, and VBG were implanted into the infection sites of groups B, C, and D respectively after thorough debridement. A sample of the debrided tissues was harvested for bacterial examination. The vancomycin serum levels were determined in groups C and D at 1, 2, 4, 10, 24, and 48 hours after operation. The boron serum levels were determined in groups B and D at 10, 24, 48, 72, and 120 hours after operation. After 8 weeks, the effectiveness was assessed radiographically, bacteriologically, and histopathol ogically. Results Ten rabbits died after operation. No vancomycin was detected in group C; the vancomycin level increased gradually, reached the highest level at 4 hours after operation, and then decreased rapidly in group D. No boron was detected in group B; the boron reached the highest serum level at 10 hours after operation, and then decreased gradually in group D. At 8 weeks, calcium sulfate degraded in group C; BG degraded partially in group D; and no obvious degradation was observedin group B. The repair effect was better in group D than in group C. There was no significant difference in radiograph scoring between groups A, B, C and D (P gt; 0.05) before operation, but there was significant difference between group D and groups A, B, C (P lt; 0.05) at 8 weeks after operation. The bacterial culture showed that all the MRSA results were positive in 4 groups. At 8 weeks, the negative rates of MRSA examination were 36.36%, 18.18%, 73.33%, and 81.25% respectively in groups A, B, C, and D, showing significant differences between group D and groups A, B (P lt; 0.05). The histopathological observation showed that a large number of new bones formed and no foreign body reaction occurred in group D. The histopathologic scores of groups A, B, C, and D were 6.45 ± 3.62, 7.55 ± 3.36, 4.27 ± 2.91, and 3.81 ± 3.04 respectively, showing significant differences between group D and groups A, B, and between group C and group B (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion VBG can improve the repair of bone defect in the treatment of chronic osteomyel itis.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of distally pedicled peroneus brevis muscle flaps and reverse sural neurovascular island flaps for post-traumatic chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis and soft tissue defects. Methods Between January 2008 and January 2012, 9 patients suffering from post-traumatic chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis and soft tissue defects were treated, including 8 males and 1 female with an average age of 33 years (range, 18-46 years). The left heel was involved in 4 cases, and right heel in 5 cases. Infection occurred after reduction and internal fixation of closed fractures of the calcaneus in 7 cases, and open calcaneal fracture and soft tissue defect in 2 cases. The disease duration was 2 months to 3 years (mean, 5 months). Purulent secretion, tissue necrosis, or sinus formation was observed in all wounds. The results of bacterial culture were positive. X-ray and CT examination showed uneven density of calcaneus and bone cavity or dead bone formation. After thorough debridement, the size of bone defect ranged from 3 cm × 3 cm × 3 cm to 6 cm × 4 cm × 3 cm; the size of soft tissue defect ranged from 7 cm × 3 cm to 12 cm × 7 cm. The distally pedicled peroneus brevis muscle flaps (11 cm × 3 cm-16 cm × 4 cm) were used for bone defect repair, and reverse sural neurovascular island flaps (8 cm × 4 cm-14 cm × 8 cm) for soft tissue defect. The donor site was directly sutured in 6 cases and repaired by skin graft in 3 cases. Results After operation, reverse sural neurovascular island flaps survived in 9 cases, and all wounds healed by first intention. No necrosis or liquefaction of distally pedicled peroneus brevis muscle flaps was observed. Incision at donor site healed by first intention, and skin grafts at donor site survived. All cases were followed up 6-24 months (mean, 13.5 months). The flaps had good texture. No recurrence of osteomyelitis was observed. Basic weight-bearing walking function was restorated. No obvious calcaneal collapse happened. Conclusion The distally pedicled peroneus brevis muscle flap combined with reverse sural neurovascular island flap is one of the effective methods to treat post-traumatic chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis with soft tissue defect, with the advantages of simple operation and good blood supply.
Objective To observe the inhibitory characteristics of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) on bacterial biofilms and investigate their inhibitory effect on biofilm formation on three common orthopedic biomaterials. Methods The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) of AgNP were determined by microplate dilution assay. Biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) were cultured on three orthopedic biomaterials (titanium alloy, titanium oxide, and stainless steel) and intervened with AgNP at concentrations of 32, 16, 8, 4, 2 and 0 μg/mL to determine the MBICs on the three materials. The effects of AgNP on biofilm formation were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and measuring optical density. Results The MIC and MBIC of AgNP in the microplate assay were both 16 µg/mL. The MBICs of AgNP on biofilm formation in titanium oxide, titanium alloy, and stainless steel were 16 μg/mL, 32 μg/mL, and 32 μg/mL, respectively. Among the three materials, the lowest optical density was observed on titanium oxide, while the highest was on titanium alloy. Conclusions AgNP has strong antibacterial biofilm characteristics and can prevent the formation of Staphylococcus aureus biofilm in vitro. Biofilm formation is most pronounced on titanium alloy, least on titanium oxide, and intermediate on stainless steel.
Objective To evaluate the limbs shortening and re-lengthening in the treatment of tibial infectious bone defect and chronic osteomyelitis. Methods Between January 2011 and April 2016, 19 cases of tibial infectious bone defect and chronic osteomyelitis were treated with the limbs shortening and re-lengthening technique. There were 13 males and 6 females, aged from 22 to 62 years (mean, 44 years). The causes of injury included traffic accident injury in 16 cases, crush injury in 1 case, and falling from height in 2 cases. One patient was infected after plate internal fixation of closed tibial fracture and 18 patients after external fixation of open tibial fractures (Gustilo type IIIB). The mean previous operation times was 3 times (range, 2-5 times). The time from injury to bone transport operation was 3-11 months (mean, 6.5 months). The bone defect length was 2.0-5.5 cm (mean, 4.3 cm) after debridement. After tibial shortening, limb peripheral blood supply should be checked after release of the tourniquet. Seven wounds were closed directly, 5 were repaired with adjacent skin flap, 5 were repaired with sural neurovascular flap, 1 was repaired with medial head of gastrocnemius muscle flap, and 1 underwent skin grafting. Single arm external fixator or ring type external fixator were used, and completely sawed off between 2 sets of external fixation screws at proximal and distal metaphysis of the tibia. Limb lengthening was performed after 1 week with the speed of 1 mm/d. Results All patients were followed up 10-36 months with an average of 14 months. Two cases delayed healing of the wound after operation, and the other wounds healed primarily. Natural healing of the opposite end of the bone were found in 18 cases, and 1 case had nonunion in the opposite end of the bone because of incomplete removal of lesion bone. There were 5 cases of slow growth of the callus, and healed smoothly by " accordion” technology and injecting red bone marrow in 4 cases, and by bone grafting and internal fixation in 1 case. The time of bone lengthening was 1-3 months, the prolongation index was 1.6-2.7 cm/month (2.20 cm/month). The bone healing time was 7-13 months (mean, 11.1 months). According to tibial stem diagnostic criteria Johner-Wruhs score, 9 cases were excellent, 8 cases were good, 2 cases were fair, with an excellent and good rate of 89.5%. Conclusion Limbs shortening and re-lengthening is an effective method for the treatment of tibial infectious bone defect and chronic osteomyelitis, with the advantages of improving the immediate alignment of the osteotomy ends, significantly shortening the bone healing time of opposite ends of bone.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of the first-stage debridement and Ilizarov metatarsal bone lengthening in treatment of diabetic foot ulcer complicated with chronic osteomyelitis of metatarsal head.MethodsBetween January 2015 and October 2018, 8 cases (9 feet, 11 sites) of diabetic foot ulcer complicated with chronic osteomyelitis of metatarsal head were treated by first-stage debridement and Ilizarov metatarsal bone lengthening. There were 3 males (4 feet, 5 sites) and 5 females (5 feet, 6 sites), with an average age of 57.5 years (range, 44-65 years). According to diabetic foot Wagner grade, 6 cases (7 feet) were grade 3 and 2 cases (2 feet) were grade 4. The chronic osteomyelitis located at left foot in 4 cases, right foot in 3 cases, and bilateral feet in 1 case. The duration of chronic osteomyelitis was 1-5 years (mean, 3.1 years). The chronic osteomyelitis site was the 1st metatarsal head in 3 feet, the 3rd metatarsal head in 1 foot, the 4th metatarsal head in 1 foot, and the 5th metatarsal head in 6 feet. Two patients had chronic osteomyelitis at 2 sites on 1 foot. The length of lengthened metatarsal bone, lengthening time, and the time of wearing external fixation frame were recorded, and the external fixation frame index was calculated. The healing conditions of foot ulcer and lengthening bone segment were observed, the healing time was recorded, and the healing index of lengthening bone was calculated. The ankle function was evaluated according to the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score criteria.ResultsAll patients were followed up 9-26 months with an average of 15.0 months. Except pin tract infection during the bone lengthening period, there was no complications such as skin necrosis and vascular or nerve injury occurred during treatment. The length of lengthened metatarsal bone was 12-35 mm with an average of 20.5 mm; the metatarsal bone lengthening time were 21-84 days with an average of 57.8 days. The average time of wearing external fixation frame was 14.6 weeks (range, 10.4-21.1 weeks) and the external fixation frame index was 54.3 days/cm (range, 42.9-59.2 days/cm). The ulcer wound healed with an average healing time of 30.5 days (range, 19-70 days) and no ulcer recurrence was observed during follow-up. Bone healing was obtained in all bone lengthening segments, and the average healing index was 42.5 days/cm (range, 37-51 days/cm). The average AOFAS score was 91.7 (range, 87-95); 5 feet were excellent and 4 feet were good. The excellent and good rate was 100%.ConclusionThe metatarsal bone lengthening under Ilizarov law of tension-stress after debridement can promote diabetic foot ulcers healing and reconstructing the length of metatarsal to retain the function of metatarsal load and avoid amputation. This is an effective method for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer complicated with chronic osteomyelitis of metatarsal head.