An Interventional Study on Antibiotic Cement-coated Nails and Cement Beads in the Management of Infected Nonunion of Long Bones

Non-union infected bone is a chronic impairment disorder that causes severe complications for surgeons. In Pakistan a very limited literature was produced in recent years to evaluate the role of antibiotic impregnated cemented nail in infected non-union of tibia. To fill this gap this prospective study was designed to investigate the role of antibiotic Cement Coated Nailing in Infected Nonunion of Tibia in the Orthopedic Department of Liaqat University of medical and health science, Jamshoro, Pakistan, from February 2019 to February 2020. A total of 30 patients with infected "nonunion of the tibia" was enrolled during the research period. Patients within the age range of 22-61 years were part of this research. For surgery, polymer beads were added into the 40 gm cement which was prepared by adding 2 gm vancomycin and 2 gm teicoplanin. After that endotracheal tube was cut by a surgical knife to recover antibiotic and cement coated k nail. The nail was then inserted into the tibia. Resuts demonstrate that in 28 patients 93% utilization of antibodies cement coated nails helped to eradicate the infection. 24 patients achieved complete bone unification without any need for further procedure. The overall ratio of single-time antibiotic cement coated nail was observed as 70%. The infected nonunion tibia can be effectively treated if the protocol of debridement is correctly followed. Results demonstrate that bone stability can be regained with 22 to 44 weeks. We concluded that antibiotic-impregnated cemented nail is an ideal procedure to control the postoperative infection and achieve reunion.

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Management of infected non-union of lower limb long bone fractures using ilizarov technique: a study of outcomes

International Journal of Research in Orthopaedics ◽

10.18203/issn.2455-4510.intjresorthop20171901 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 557 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hrishikesh Pande ◽

Chander Mohan Singh ◽

Anjan Prabhakara ◽

Vivek Mathew Philip ◽

Mohd Shezan Iqbal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lower Limb ◽

Bone Fractures ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

Long Bone ◽

Long Bones ◽

Ilizarov Technique ◽

Infected Nonunion ◽

Ring Fixator ◽

Long Bone Fractures ◽

Ilizarov Ring Fixator

Background: Nonunion of long bone fractures is a common condition treated by an orthopaedic surgeon. Many nonunions can be treated effectively by internal fixation with or without bone grafting but, an infected nonunion can prove to be a tough challenge. The Ilizarov method is effective in managing infected nonunion of long bones. This study aims to assess the outcome of management of infected nonunions of long bones of lower limb with Ilizarov Ring fixator using bone and functional results as per Association for the Study and Application of Methods of Ilizarov (ASAMI) Scoring System.Methods: We retrospectively analysed 18 patients (16 Male: 2 Female; Mean age 43.2 years) managed with Ilizarov technique for an infected tibial or femoral nonunion between 01 January 2013 and 31 December 2014. They were followed up for an average of 25.4 months after removal of fixator. They were assessed for functional and Bone (radiological) outcomes using the Association for the Study and Application of Methods of Ilizarov (ASAMI) criteria.Results: 17 limbs were salvaged and union could be achieved. One limb required amputation due to severe persistent intractable infection. None required any additional skeletal stabilisation after removal of fixator frame except casting in a few patients for a period of 6 weeks. Mean time to union was 211.83 days (range 136 - 320days/median 184) or 7.01 months. As per the ASAMI score, Bone results were excellent in 10, good in 5, fair in 2 and poor in 1. Functionally 7 were graded as excellent, 6 as good, 3 as fair and 1 as poor and 1 patient underwent amputation.Conclusions: The Ilizarov’s method remains one of the most versatile and successful means of achieving bone healing in infected nonunions of long bones of lower limbs with additional benefits of correcting bone defects, deformities and limb length inequalities.

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