Abstract
In case when a cavity is detected in the place of a diagnosed osteomyelitis and when the location of the lesion is in the metaphyseal area, a revision can be done by an endoscopic method, using a standard arthroscopic device. This method was called as “medulloscopy”. In our paper we would like to introduce our first experiences with this method.
We performed six surgeries of a chronic tibia osteomyelitis by an endoscopic method (medulloscopy) between January 2012 and December 2014. In four surgeries we treated a proximal metaphyseal tibia osteomyelitis and in two surgeries a distal tibial metaphysis. The group of patients consisted of one female and five male of an average age 50.8 years, with ages ranging between 36 and 82 years.
Mean duration of local difficulties preoperatively caused by chronic osteomyelitis was 96 months (from 3 to 304 months). We followed the patients averaged 17.5 months (4–24 months). By April 2015 all six patients (100%) were without need of reoperation for relapse of chronic osteomyelitis.
In our opinion the medulloscopy belongs to the spectrum of procedures for the revision of the long bones metaphyses, especially the tibia. The balance sheet for the use of this surgical method must be reasonable in relation to the type of surgery, the limits of arthroscopic instruments and experience of the surgeon.
Acknowledgements
Internal grant of University Hospital Motol, Advanced Therapies, NO: 9777, TAČR, NO: TA04010879 and Internal grant of University Hospital Motol, NO: 6010.
