Aims

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the induced membrane technique for treating infected bone defects, and to explore the factors that might affect patient outcomes.

Aims. Treatment of chronic osteomyelitis (COM) for young patients remains a challenge. Large bone deficiencies secondary to COM can be treated using induced membrane technique (IMT). However, it is unclear which type of bone graft is optimal. The goal of the study was to determine the clinical effectiveness of bone marrow concentrator modified allograft (BMCA) versus bone marrow aspirate mixed allograft (BMAA) for children with COM of long bones. Methods. Between January 2013 and December 2017, 26 young patients with COM were enrolled. Different bone grafts were applied to repair bone defects secondary to IMT procedure for infection eradication. Group BMCA was administered BMCA while Group BMAA was given BMAA. The results of this case-control study were retrospectively analyzed. Results. Patient infection in both groups was eradicated after IMT surgery. As for reconstruction surgery, no substantial changes in the operative period (p = 0.852), intraoperative blood loss (p = 0.573), or length of hospital stay (p = 0.362) were found between the two groups. All patients were monitored for 12 to 60 months. The median time to bone healing was 4.0 months (interquartile range (IQR) 3.0 to 5.0; range 3 to 7) and 5.0 months (IQR 4.0 to 7.0; range 3 to 10) in Groups BMCA and BMAA, respectively. The time to heal in Group BMCA versus Group BMAA was substantially lower (p = 0.024). Conclusion. IMT with BMCA or BMAA may attain healing in large bone defects secondary to COM in children. The bone healing time was significantly shorter for BMCA, indicating that this could be considered as a new strategy for bone defect after COM treatment. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2021;10(1):31–40