Aim

Differentiation of infected (INF) nonunion from aseptic (AS) nonunion is crucial for the choice of intra- and postoperative treatment. Preoperative diagnosis of infected nonunion is challenging, especially in case of low-grade infection lacking clinical signs of infection. Standard blood markers such as C-reactive protein or leucocyte count do not aid in preoperative diagnosis. Proteomic profiling has shown promising results for differentiation of numerous chronic disease states, and in this study was applied to preoperative blood samples of patients with nonunion in an attempt to identify potential biomarkers.

In chronically infected fracture non-unions, treatment requires extensive debridement to remove necrotic and infected bone, often resulting in large defects requiring elaborate and prolonged bone reconstruction. One approach includes the induced membrane technique (IMT), although the differences in outcome between infected and non-infectious aetiologies remain unclear. Here we present a new rabbit humerus model for IMT secondary to infection, and, furthermore, we compare bone healing in rabbits with a chronically infected non-union compared to non-infected equivalents.

A 5 mm defect was created in the humerus and filled with a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) spacer or left empty (n=6 per group). After 3 weeks, the PMMA spacer was replaced with a beta-tricalcium phosphate (chronOs, Synthes) scaffold, which was placed within the induced membrane and observed for a further 10 weeks. The same protocol was followed for the infected group, except that four week prior to treatment, the wound was inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus (4×10⁶ CFU/animal) and the PMMA spacer was loaded with gentamicin, and systemic therapy was applied for 4 weeks prior to chronOs application.

All the animals from the infected group were culture positive during the first revision surgery (mean 3×10⁵ CFU/animal, n= 12), while at the second revision, after antibiotic therapy, all the animals were culture negative. The differences in bone healing between the non-infected and infected groups were evaluated by radiography and histology. The initially infected animals showed impaired bone healing at euthanasia, and some remnants of bacteria in histology. The non-infected animals reached bone bridging in both empty and chronOs conditions.

We developed a preclinical in vivo model to investigate how bacterial infection influence bone healing in large defects with the future aim to explore new treatment concepts of infected non-union.

Aims

To investigate a treatment algorithm of various Ilizarov methods in managing infected tibial non-union.

Osteomyelitis is an inflammatory condition accompanied by the destruction of bone and caused by an infecting microorganism. Open contaminated fractures can lead to the development of osteomyelitis of the fractured bone in 3-25% of cases, depending on fracture type, degree of soft-tissue injury, degree of microbial contamination, and whether systemic and/or local antimicrobial therapies have been administered. Untreated, infection will ultimately lead to non-union, chronic osteomyelitis, or amputation.

We report a case series of 10 patients that presented with post-operative infected non-union of the distal femur with or without prior surgery. The cases were performed at Padmashree Dr. D. Y. Patil Hospital, Nerul, Navi Mumbai, India. All the patients’ consents were taken for the study which was carried out in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration. The methodology involved patients undergoing a two-stage procedure in case of no prior implant or a three-stage procedure in case of a previous implant. Firstly, debridement and implant removal were done. The second was a definitive procedure in form of knee arthrodesis with ring fixator and finally followed by limb lengthening surgery.

Arthrodesis was planned in view of infection, non-union, severe arthritic, subluxated knee, stiff knee, non-salvage knee joint, and financial constraints. After all the patients demonstrated wound healing in 3 months along with good radiographic osteogenesis at the knee arthrodesis site, limb lengthening surgeries by tibial osteotomy were done to overcome the limb length discrepancy. Distraction was started and followed up for 5 months. All 10 patients showed results with sound knee arthrodesis and good osteogenesis at the osteotomy site followed by achieving the limb length just 1-inch short from the normal side to achieve ground clearance while walking. Our case series is unique and distinctive as it shows that when patients with infected nonunion of distal femur come with the stiff and non-salvage knee with severe arthritic changes and financial constraints, we should consider knee arthrodesis with Ilizarov ring fixator followed by limb lengthening surgery.

The aim of this abstract is to show that when dealing with an infected non-union, all possibilities of treatment must be considered in order to choose the best treatment plan for each patient. This case shows the evolution of an infected non-union following type III open fractures which, after the used of several methods that failed, had to be solved with amputation.

We present a case report of a 41 years old man, with a type IIIA open fracture of the right tibia and fibula. Initially, he was treated with an external fixator, which was removed and plate implanted. After this, he who presented to us with an infected non-union. He was submitted to surgery, the plate was removed and a circular external fixator was used. Six months later, the external fixator was removed and a reamed intramedullary nail was implanted with bone graft from iliac crest. One year later, the facture site was still mobile, so he was submitted to fixation with internal plate. As this last method also failed, a bellow knee amputation was performed, 4 years after the initial event.

After several attempts with several distinctive methods, the infected non-union had to be solved with the sacrifice of the limb.

The treatment of infected non-union is one of the most difficult in Orthopedic Surgery. There are several procedure that can be used. When all these fail, amputation and consequent limb prosthetic substitution, might allow the patient to return to the society.

Problems of infected non-unions include not only infection and impossibility of weight-bearing, but also restricted ROM and compromised soft-tissues as result of trauma and previous surgeries. In such cases, treatment is long and difficult both for patient and treating surgeon. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of using antibiotic-impregnated cement locked nails for management of this condition.

The study included 28 patients with infected non-unions of femur (18) and tibia (10) treated from 01.2009 to 11.2013. Mean time from the injury to AB-cement nailing was 16.5(9–27) months. 4/18 femoral and 5/10 tibial fractures were open. Other fractures were closed and infected non-union developed as complication of previous surgeries: IM-nailing, ORIF or Ilizarov external fixation. Fistulas were revealed in all patients, but have closed by the time of AB-cement nailing in 18 cases. Pre- and intraoperative cultures revealed S.aureus in 18, S.epidermidis in 5, no grows in 5 cases. Solid stainless-steel locked nails (SIGN) were coated with AB-cement intraoperatively. Full weight-bearing was allowed 3 months after surgery. Follow-upwas performed in 6, 12, 24 and 52 weeks.

One year after surgery, X-ray revealed bone union in 25 (89.3%) patients and all 28 (100%) patients were full weight-bearing. In 3 (10.7%) cases, X-ray has revealed evident fracture line. Open fistulas were found in 4(14.3%) patients and required hardware removal and debridment.

AB-cement locked nailing achieved elimination of infection and fracture healing in the majority of patients. This method can be considered as effective and requires further studies.

Surgical treatment of distal tibia fractures is usually associated with extensive soft tissue compromise and high complication rates (infection, delayed or non-union, ankle stiffness and osteoarthritis). Wound infection is one of the most common complication (deep infection rates up to 15%) and can develop into an infected non-union.

In 1973, Papineau described a staged technique for treating infected non-union of long bones, consisting of (1) surgical debridement of necrotic tissue, temporary splinting, specific antibiotic treatment, postoperative wet-to-dry wound dressing changes; (2) packing of the bone defect with cortico-cancellous autograft; (3) closure of the soft-tissue wound by a flap or secondary intent.

The authors aim to report a clinical case of a successful treatment of a distal tibia infected non-union with the Papineau technique and negative-pressure wound therapy.

Woman, 56 years-old, referred to Orthopaedic consultation on October 2013 for wound dehiscence and infection with a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, one month after open reduction and internal fixation of an open distal tibia fracture.

On November 2013 she underwent surgical debridement, removal of osteosynthesis material, osteotaxis with external fixator, negative-pressure wound therapy and antibiotic treatment with intravenous vancomycin 1g 12/12h (1st stage of Papineau procedure)

On December, she underwent autologous iliac crest cancellous bone grafting and wound care, daily irrigated with saline solution (2nd stage).

On February 2014, she underwent a partial thickness skin graft for wound closure (3rd stage).

On April, the external fixator was removed and there was still no evidence of union. She had pain, disuse osteoporosis, ankle and midfoot stiffness, and was sent to physical therapy.

On April 2015, she can full weight bear with mild pain, the soft tissue envelope is in good condition, the fracture has united and she has an Ankle AOFAS Score of 83.

The Papineau technique has been used for the management of infected non-unions with bony defects, with high success rates. Complete necrotic tissue debridement and targeted antibiotics are fundamental for obtaining a viable and healthy tissue, able to receive the bone graft. Negative-pressure wound therapy is important in reducing the bacterial load, improving the microcirculation and enhancing the granulation tissue.

In the present case, the combination of the two techniques probably acted together in achieving successful eradication of the infection, reconstruction of the bone defect and soft tissue closure.

Aims

Excision of chronic osteomyelitic bone creates a dead space which must be managed to avoid early recurrence of infection. Systemic antibiotics cannot penetrate this space in high concentrations, so local treatment has become an attractive adjunct to surgery. The aim of this study was to present the mid- to long-term results of local treatment with gentamicin in a bioabsorbable ceramic carrier.

Aims

Ilizarov described four methods of treating non-unions but gave little information on the specific indications for each technique. He claimed, ‘infection burns in the fire of regeneration’ and suggested distraction osteogenesis could effectively treat infected non-unions.

This study investigated a treatment algorithm for described Ilizarov methods in managing infected tibial non-union, using non-union mobility and segmental defect size to govern treatment choice. Primary outcome measures were infection eradication, bone union and ASAMI bone and function scores.

Aims

To clarify the effectiveness of the induced membrane technique (IMT) using beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) for reconstruction of segmental bone defects by evaluating clinical and radiological outcomes, and the effect of defect size and operated site on surgical outcomes.

Methicillin– resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infected gap non –union of long bones fractures is a challenge to manage. Treatment options are limited such a Ilizarov bone transport, vascularized bone free transfer etc. These techniques have complications and require expertise. We present a rare case with MRSA infected nonunion and bone defect 5cm of ulna which was managed with the induced membrane formation.

A 33-years old male presented to outpatient department, 2 months after internal fixation on both left bone forearm fractures (Gustillo I). There was pus discharge from the operative site of ulna. Culture results: MRSA, C-Reactive Protein (CRP): 2,58 (0–5), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR): 42 (0–20). Intravenous (iv) Teicoplanin and Rifampicin were administrated and after one month no topic symptoms and CRP- ESR were normal. One month later he had again actively draining sinus (CRP: 1,47 ESR:22). The implant (ulna) was removed and a gap 5 cm was created at the fracture site (necrotic-infected bone debrided), which was filled by cemented spacer (Tobramycin and vancomycin). An external fixator was applied to ulna. Radius was not involved. Post op. iv the same antibiotics for 4 weeks. At the end of 8 weeks, the spacer was removed and the gap was filled with autologous cancellous bone graft (iliac crest).

After 5 months the patient was reviewed. No any clinical and functional problems. Radiographics and CT-images were showed osseous consolidation.

This technique (called as ‘Masquelet’) gives promising result in the management of infected long bone defects in upper extremity.

Aims

This is a prospective randomised study which compares the radiological and functional outcomes of ring and rail fixators in patients with an infected gap (> 3 cm) nonunion of the tibia.

Aims

Chronic osteomyelitis may recur if dead space management, after excision of infected bone, is inadequate. This study describes the results of a strategy for the management of deep bone infection and evaluates a new antibiotic-loaded biocomposite in the eradication of infection from bone defects.

Infected nonunion of a long bone continues to present difficulties in management. In addition to treating the infection, it is necessary to establish bony stability, encourage fracture union and reconstruct the soft-tissue envelope. We present a series of 67 infected nonunions of a long bone in 66 patients treated in a multidisciplinary unit. The operative treatment of patients suitable for limb salvage was performed as a single procedure. Antibiotic regimes were determined by the results of microbiological culture. At a mean follow-up of 52 months (22 to 97), 59 patients (88%) had an infection-free united fracture in a functioning limb. Seven others required amputation (three as primary treatment, three after late failure of limb salvage and one for recalcitrant pain after union). The initial operation achieved union in 54 (84%) of the salvaged limbs at a mean of nine months (three to 26), with recurrence of infection in 9%. Further surgery in those limbs that remained ununited increased the union rate to 62 (97%) of the 64 limbs treated by limb salvage at final follow-up. The use of internal fixation was associated with a higher risk of recurrent infection than external fixation. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015; 97-B:814–17

Infected nonunion of the femur or tibia diaphysis requires resection of infected bone, stabilization of bone and reconstruction of bone defect. External fixation of the femur is poorly tolerated by patients. In 2004 authors introduced in therapy for infected nonunions of tibia and femur diaphysis coating of IMN with a layer of antibiotic loaded acrylic cement (ALAC) containing 5% of culture specific antibiotic. Seven patients with infected nonunion of the diaphysis of femur (2) and tibia (2) were treated, aged 20–63 years, followed for 2–9 years (average 5,5 years). All have been infected with S. aureus (MSSA: 2 and MRSA: 4) or Staph. epidermidis (1) and in one case with MRSA and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All patients underwent 3 to 6 operations before authors IMN application. Custom-made IMN coated with acrylic cement (Palamed) loaded fabrically with gentamycin with admixture of 5% of culture-specific antibiotic: vancomycin (7 cases) and meropeneme (1 case) was used for bone stabilization. Static interlocking of IMN was applied in 4 cases and dynamic in 2 cases. In 1 case the femur was stabilized with IMN without interlocking screws. In 2 cases IMN was used for fixation of nonunion at docking site after bone transport. In 3 cases ALAC was used as temporary defect filling and dead space management. In one case after removal of IMN coated with ALAC, a new custom made Gamma nail and tubular bone allograft ranging 11 cm was used for defect reconstruction. Infection healing was achieved in all 7 cases, bone union was achieved in 4 from 7 cases. In 1 case of segmental diaphyseal defect ranging over 12 cm infection was healed, but bone defect was not reconstructed. This patient is waiting for total femoral replacement. In another case of segmental defect of 11 cm infection is healed, but allograft substitution and remodeling by host bone is poor. In the 3rd case of lacking bone healing, the 63 year old patients was noncooperative and not willing to walk in walker with weight bearing. This patient refused further treatment. Custom-made intramedullary nail coated with a layer of acrylic cement loaded with 5% of culture specific antibiotic can provide local infection control, offer comfortable bone stabilization, and replace standard IM nail in therapy for difficult to treat infected diaphyseal nonunion of femur or tibia

Nonunions and segmental bone defects associated with infection are challenging problems faced by the orthopaedic surgeon. Antibiotic cement-coated (ACC) interlocking nails, prepared in the operating theatre using nails and materials generally available, can be used to treat these conditions. Two different types of moulds can be used (reusable or disposable). Materials and Methods: The infected nonunion/segmental bone defect was treated by débridement followed by ACC nailing in 52 patients (12 female, 40 male, age range 16–86 years). Other procedures for deformity correction, bone defect etc were carried out simultaneously as indicated. Infected nonunion was seen in 34 patients, 1 was an acute fracture after external fixator. Segmental defect in the bone of 1 to 30 cm was seen in 17 patients. Anatomical sites included Femur (13), Tibia (11), Knee (12) and ankle (16). Results: Limb salvage was achieved in 96% and amputation in 2 patients. Bony union was achieved in 41 of 49 patients (84%). In 3 patients (15%), control of infection was achieved with stable nonunion (1 patient) and stable nonunion with cement spacer (2 patients). Control of infection was achieved in 85%. Single procedure achieved this goal in 73%. Cement nail de-bonding occurred during removal in 9 patients and during insertion in 1 patient. The average follow-up was 16 months (1 to 60 m). Conclusion: Dual goals of control of infection as well as stability to promote union can be achieved using this technique. Although useful for all infected nonunions, this technique is particularly useful for patients who are not ideal candidates for external fixators or those who do not want an external fixator

The current standard recommendation for antibiotic therapy in the management of chronic osteomyelitis is intravenous treatment for six weeks. We have compared this regime with short-term intravenous therapy followed by oral dosage. A total of 93 patients, with chronic osteomyelitis, underwent single-stage, aggressive surgical debridement and appropriate soft-tissue coverage. Culture-specific intravenous antibiotics were given for five to seven days, followed by oral therapy for six weeks. During surgery, the scar, including the sinus track, was excised en bloc. We used a high-speed, saline-cooled burr to remove necrotic bone, and osseous laser Doppler flowmetry to ensure that the remaining bone was viable. Infected nonunions (Cierny stage-IV osteomyelitis) were stabilised by internal fixation. In 38 patients management of dead space required antibiotic-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate beads, which were exchanged for an autogenous bone graft at six weeks. Free-tissue transfer often facilitated soft-tissue coverage. These 93 patients were compared with 22 consecutive patients treated previously who had the same surgical management, but received culture-specific intravenous antibiotics for six weeks. Of the 93 patients, 80 healed without further intervention. Of the 31 Cierny-IV lesions, 27 healed without another operation, and four fractures required additional bone grafts. No more wound drainage was needed. Treatment was successful in 91% of patients, regardless of the organism involved. There was no difference in outcome in terms of these variables when the series were compared. We conclude that the long-term administration of intravenous antibiotics is not necessary to achieve a high rate of clinical resolution of wound drainage for adult patients with chronic osteomyelitis

Chronic osteomyelitis is a very difficult condition to treat. It presents a considerable challenge. A structured approach with a multidisciplinary team is important. Fifty-three patients with chronic femoral osteomyelitis were treated. Thirty-one cases followed fracture fixation, fourteen haematological, two knee fusion and two iatrogenic. Cierny and Mader grade was IV in twenty-eight cases(twelve non-unions). Union was achieved in eleven of twelve nonunions. 85% of cases were infection free with the current treatment. 92% union rate was achieved. Eradication of infection and functional preservation can be achieved by wide local debridement with good soft tissue coverage and skeletal stabilisation. Chronic osteomyelitis is a very difficult condition to treat. It presents a considerable challenge. A structured approach with a multi-disciplinary team is important. 85% of cases were infection free with the current treatment. 92% union rate was achieved. Eradication of infection and functional preservation can be achieved by wide local debridement with good soft tissue coverage and skeletal stabilisation. Fifty-three patients with chronic femoral osteomyelitis were treated. Mean age at onset was thirty-one years and mean duration of infection was one hundred and six months (range 2–504). Thirty-one cases followed fracture fixation, fourteen haematological, two- knee fusion and two iatrogenic. Cierny and Mader grade was IV in twenty-eight cases(twelve non-unions), III in twelve, II in two and I in eleven cases. Intramedullary disease was treated by reaming and cortical disease by local excision. Radical excision was done for local disease. Radical/segmental excision reserved for type IV disease. This was followed by dead space management (local antibiotics in thirty-eight patients), stabilization and iv antibiotics(four to six weeks). Infected nonunion was treated with excision and stabilization or Ilizarov reconstruction. Union was achieved in eleven of twelve nonunions. 85% of cases were infection free at a mean follow-up of thirty months (7–48)

Aims

Type IIIB open tibial fractures are devastating high-energy injuries. At initial debridement, the surgeon will often be faced with large bone fragments with tenuous, if any, soft-tissue attachments. Conventionally these are discarded to avoid infection. We aimed to determine if orthoplastic reconstruction using mechanically relevant devitalized bone (ORDB) was associated with an increased infection rate in type IIIB open tibial shaft fractures.