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Use of hexapod frame in tibial nonunion linked with union, infection eradication
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Use of a hexapod frame led to union and infection eradication among patients with an infected tibial nonunion with bone loss, according to results.
Researchers measured age, sex, diabetes, smoking, use of a free flap, bone defect size, time in the frame, external fixation index and direction of lengthening in 75 patients (76% were male) with infected post-traumatic nonunions of the tibia and underwent resection of nonunion with application of stacked hexapod frame for bone transport. Researchers also recorded removal of the frame, below-knee amputation and adjunctive stability, and evaluated location of nonunion, timing of adjunctive stabilization and type of fixation.
Results showed soft tissue defects that required a free flap in 42% of patients. Researchers noted 38 patients underwent removal of frame, while 36 patients underwent adjunctive stability of the hexapod frame. Patients spent a longer length of time in the hexapod frame and were more likely to require a free flap if they received adjunctive stabilization, according to results. After the removal of the frame, researchers found 93% of patients had docking site nonunions. In addition, 79% of patients had regenerate nonunions before removal of the hexapod frame. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosure s : Napora reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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