Abstract
Thirty-five patients were followed prospectively from their referral to the Problem Fracture Service with chronic osteomyelitis of diaphyseal bone between November 1994 and June 1999.
The patients were treated using a closed double-lumen suction irrigation system following reaming and arthroscopic debridement of the intramedullary canal; this is a modified system based on the work of Charles Lautenbach. Results of these procedures were regularly followed up in clinic, and between June and July 2007 the whole cohort was reviewed via postal questionnaire, telephone and case note review.
At a mean follow up of 101 months, 26 were living with no evidence of recurrence, 4 had died of unrelated causes with no evidence of recurrent infection. Four patients had persisting problems with sinus discharge requiring intermittent antibiotic therapy and 1 patient had his limb amputated for recurrent metaplastic change.
These results gave this cohort an 86% clearance of infection, with recurrence in 12%, which is comparable to the Papineau and Belfast techniques with significantly less surgical insult to the patient.
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