Bone lengthening technique is one of the core surgical technique for skeletal lengthening and reconstruction. It is widely used in the treatment of nonunion, segmental bone defect, bone infection, congenital or post-traumatic limb length differences, and hand-foot deformity correction. Until today, the surgical techniques and devices of bone lengthening are improving over time, and it is to improve the quality of treatment and reduce complications. However, the bone lengthening technique is different from the treatment for other orthopedic diseases, and it has the following feature, including requiring multiple steps, longer treatment course, and application of external fixator. This article will summarize the hot research in the field of bone lengthening treatment in recent years and provide reference for future clinical treatment.
ObjectiveTo provide the anatomical basis for the selection of osteotomy site in leg lengthening or tibial slip. MethodsBetween August 2010 and July 2014, 10 adult fresh amputated leg specimens were collected. The pressure perfusion of red latex was performed by the popliteal artery. The anterior tibial artery and its main branches were separated and exposed, and the periosteal branch of anterior tibial artery was adequately exposed;the posterior tibial artery and its main branches were exposed;the peroneal artery was separated and exposed. The tibial and peroneal artery and its branches were observed and measured. When measuring the proximal end, the medial tibial plateau bone margin, the most prominent part of the tibial tuberosity, and the fibular head edge were used as a reference;when measuring the distal end, distal medial condyle of tibia malleolus tip, tibial lateral malleolus lateral tip, and distal tibial articular surface were used as a reference;the vertical distance between tibia proximal and distal main arteries and bone end reference was measured to determine the optimal osteotomy position of upper and lower tibia. The osteotomy index was calculated which was used to represent the relative position of osteotomy site in the whole tibia. ResultsThe proximal tibial osteotomy site located at (78.2±19.5) mm from medial tibial plateau margin, (41.8±16.0) mm from the tibial tuberosity pole, and (66.7±16.4) mm from the fibular head edge. The distal tibial osteotomy site located at (70.8±12.1) mm above the inferior margin of tibial medial malleolus, (83.3±13.0) mm above the inferior margin of lateral malleolus tip, and (59.1±11.7) mm from distal tibial articular surface. The proximal tibial osteotomy index was 18.45-23.35 (mean, 20.46);the distal tibial osteotomy index was 14.36-23.05 (mean, 18.81). ConclusionThe metaphyseal-diaphyseal connection shold be selected in the proximal and distal tibia osteotomy, the lower one third of the tibia is not suitable for ostetomy.
Objective To investigate the relationship between the tibia callus diameter ratio(CDR) and prognosis during tibial distraction and the occurrenceof late deformity or fracture. Methods We measured tibiallengthening callus diameter and added up the cases of angular deformity and fracture in 68 casesfrom January 1996 to December 2001, to calculated callus diameter ratios and compare the relationship between the tibia callus diameter during tibial distraction and the occurrence of late callus angular deformity or fracture. Results In 23 cases of CDRlt;80%, 13 cases had new bone fracture, 21 cases had angular deformity gt;5 degree. In 6 cases of 81%lt;CDRlt;85%, there were 4 cases of angular deformity gt;5 degree. In the other 39 cases of CDRgt;85%, there were no fracture and angular deformity. Conclusion When the CDR was gt;85%, there wereno angular deformity and fracture, but when the CDR was lt;80%, the complications of fracture and angular deformity occur. CDR is a better alarming index for preventing the complications occurring in tibial lengthening.
Objective To investigate the feature and regularity of the collagen change in bone healing during bone lengthening. Methods Bone lengthening model was made in the middle segment of the rabbit tibia. Five days after the model was established, the bone was lengthened 1.5 mm perday for 14 days. The rabbits were put to death after elongation, 7,14,21,30,40,50,60 and 70 days after elongation. The distracted area of the bone was imbedded with paraffin. After being stained by the picric acidsirius red staining, the slice was observed under polarized microscope. Results The features of the collagen change in the distracted bone were as follows: ① In the fibrous tissue of the distracted area during lengthening period and the early stage after lengthening, there was not only collagen Ⅲ but alsomuch collagen Ⅰ. ② Collagen Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ were observed in the cartilage. ③ Collagen Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ were also observed in the pseudogrowth plate. ④ Collagen Ⅰ took the dominance during lengtheningperiod and the late stage after lengthening. Conclusion New bone formation in bone lengthening is under the distracted force, so the collagen changes have different features compared with that in fracture healing. Collagen Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲcan be identified by picric-acid-sirius red staining and polarized microscope, so a new method for studying the collagen typing in bone repairing is provided.
In order to study the effect of Chinese traditional medicine, "Bone Growth Fluid", on bone formation in bone lengthening, the limb lengthening model was made on goat to observe bone formation in the distracted area, and the content of the trace elements was determined. The bone-lengthening operation was carried out on the upper metaphysis of left tibia. The animals were divided into two groups following operation. From 2nd day afteroperation, "Bone Growth Fluid", 10 ml per kilogram body weight, was given daily to goats in the experimental group, and same amount of normal saline was given to goats in another group as control. The results showed-that new bone formation and bone remodeling in the experimental group appeared earlier than that in the control group, and the content of the trace elements was also improved. So Chinese Traditional medicine, "Bone Growth Fluid", could accelerate the accumulation of the trace elements in callus on the distracted sites and it might play some role in the promotion of osteogenesis and bone remodeling in bone lengthening.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of the first-stage debridement and Ilizarov metatarsal bone lengthening in treatment of diabetic foot ulcer complicated with chronic osteomyelitis of metatarsal head.MethodsBetween January 2015 and October 2018, 8 cases (9 feet, 11 sites) of diabetic foot ulcer complicated with chronic osteomyelitis of metatarsal head were treated by first-stage debridement and Ilizarov metatarsal bone lengthening. There were 3 males (4 feet, 5 sites) and 5 females (5 feet, 6 sites), with an average age of 57.5 years (range, 44-65 years). According to diabetic foot Wagner grade, 6 cases (7 feet) were grade 3 and 2 cases (2 feet) were grade 4. The chronic osteomyelitis located at left foot in 4 cases, right foot in 3 cases, and bilateral feet in 1 case. The duration of chronic osteomyelitis was 1-5 years (mean, 3.1 years). The chronic osteomyelitis site was the 1st metatarsal head in 3 feet, the 3rd metatarsal head in 1 foot, the 4th metatarsal head in 1 foot, and the 5th metatarsal head in 6 feet. Two patients had chronic osteomyelitis at 2 sites on 1 foot. The length of lengthened metatarsal bone, lengthening time, and the time of wearing external fixation frame were recorded, and the external fixation frame index was calculated. The healing conditions of foot ulcer and lengthening bone segment were observed, the healing time was recorded, and the healing index of lengthening bone was calculated. The ankle function was evaluated according to the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score criteria.ResultsAll patients were followed up 9-26 months with an average of 15.0 months. Except pin tract infection during the bone lengthening period, there was no complications such as skin necrosis and vascular or nerve injury occurred during treatment. The length of lengthened metatarsal bone was 12-35 mm with an average of 20.5 mm; the metatarsal bone lengthening time were 21-84 days with an average of 57.8 days. The average time of wearing external fixation frame was 14.6 weeks (range, 10.4-21.1 weeks) and the external fixation frame index was 54.3 days/cm (range, 42.9-59.2 days/cm). The ulcer wound healed with an average healing time of 30.5 days (range, 19-70 days) and no ulcer recurrence was observed during follow-up. Bone healing was obtained in all bone lengthening segments, and the average healing index was 42.5 days/cm (range, 37-51 days/cm). The average AOFAS score was 91.7 (range, 87-95); 5 feet were excellent and 4 feet were good. The excellent and good rate was 100%.ConclusionThe metatarsal bone lengthening under Ilizarov law of tension-stress after debridement can promote diabetic foot ulcers healing and reconstructing the length of metatarsal to retain the function of metatarsal load and avoid amputation. This is an effective method for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer complicated with chronic osteomyelitis of metatarsal head.
ObjectiveTo summarize the research and clinical application progress of foot lengthening surgery. Methods Relevant research literature on foot lengthening surgery in recent years at home and abroad was reviewed, and a summary was made from aspects such as the types of lengthening surgery, the types of foot diseases treated by clinical application, effectiveness, and complications. ResultsBone defects and shortening deformities of the foot are relatively common clinically. As an innovative treatment method, foot lengthening surgery has gradually attracted attention, mainly including the Ilizarov technique and one-stage bone grafting lengthening surgery. The former promotes bone regeneration based on the tension-stress principle and is widely used in the treatment of calcaneal defects and congenital metatarsal brachymetatarsia, achieving good curative effects. However, there are also complications such as pin-tract infection, joint stiffness and contracture, non-union and delayed union of bone, re-fracture, and alignment deviation. The latter has a short treatment cycle, but the lengthening length is limited. Bone graft resorption and soft tissue complications are its main complications. ConclusionFoot lengthening surgery will develop towards the direction of personalization, intelligence, and precision. With the help of multi-center research, biological materials, and intelligent technologies, the effectiveness and safety will be further improved to better restore the function and appearance of the foot.
【Abstract】 Objective To review the basic and clinical research progress of lateral column lengthening (LCL).Methods The recent literature concerning LCL at home and abroad was extensively reviewed, and the research and development were summarized. Results LCL is one of the important surgical procedures for flatfoot deformity, and it has two procedures. There are some disputes in surgical selection of the Evans osteotomy and calcaneocuboid distraction arthrodesis for the treatment of flatfoot deformity. Conclusion Lateral column lengthening has been used more widely in clinical practice, but biomechanical and the long-term follow-up are needed.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of minimally invasive osteotomy Ilizarov technique combined with intramedullary nail for femoral lengthening.MethodsSeventy-one patients with femoral shortening deformity who met the selection criteria between January 2013 and June 2016 were randomly divided into trial group (36 cases were treated with minimally invasive osteotomy Ilizarov technique combined with intramedullary nail for femoral lengthening) and control group (35 cases were treated with simple Ilizarov technique for femoral lengthening). There was no significant difference in age, gender, causes of femoral shortening, length of femoral shortening, rate of femoral deformity between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation duration, intraoperative blood loss, lengthening rate, external fixation duration, frequency of pin tract infection, osteotomy healing time, and range of motion (ROM) of knee at 1 year after operation were recorded and compared between the two groups.ResultsThe patients of two groups were followed up 12-60 months (mean, 31 months). Pin tract infection occured in 8 cases (10 pins), including 1 case (1 pin) in the trial group and 7 cases (9 pins) in the control group. There was significant difference in the incidence of pin tract infection between the two groups (χ2=5.265, P=0.022). All patients were cured by replacing the fixation pins, changing dressing actively, application of antibiotics, and adequate postoperative care. The operation duration, intraoperative blood loss, external fixation duration, osteotomy healing time, and ROM of knee at 1 year after operation of the trial group were superior to those of the control group, showing significant differences (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the lengthening rate between the two groups (t=–1.581, P=0.153).ConclusionThe minimally invasive osteotomy Ilizarov technique combined with intramedullary nail in femoral lengthening increases the operation time, but the external fixation duration and incidence of pin tract infection are significantly reduced and the function of knee is significantly improved.
Objective To investigate the surgical characteristics and preliminary effectiveness of Orthofix unilateral external fixator in the treatment of musculoskeletal tumors. Methods Twenty-two patients received Orthofix unilateral external fixator treatment for bone defect after tumor excision or complications after limb salvage surgery between June 2011 and March 2016. There were 11 males and 11 females with a median age of 23.5 years (range, 4-57 years). The bone defect or limb length discrepancy after tumor resection was at proximal femur in 6 cases, distal femur in 8 cases, diaphysis of femur in 3 cases, proximal tibia in 2 cases, and diaphysis of tibia in 3 cases. The external fixation was used for temporary fixation after reconstruction of bone defect in 10 cases [the length of bone defect was 6-19 cm (mean, 12.3 cm); using vascularized fibular graft in 2 cases, allograft bone and free fibular graft in 2 cases, allograft bone and autogenous bone graft in 5 cases, allograft bone reconstruction in 1 case]; bone distraction lengthening for limb length discrepancy in 5 cases [the length of shortening was 6.5-8.5 cm (mean, 7.5 cm)]; temporary fixation after open biopsy in 3 cases; bone transportation over locking plate in 1 case (the length of bone defect was 7.5 cm); fixation for preoperatively pathology fracture in 1 case; and joint distraction for dislocation after tumor ablation in 2 cases. Results All the patients were followed up 12-72 months (mean, 36 months). In 10 patients with bone defect reconstruction, the wearing external fixator time was 3-8 months (mean, 4.8 months); all got bone union with the healing time of 3-16 months (mean, 6.4 months); the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society 93 (MSTS 93) score was 73.3-93.3 (mean, 87.2); and no complication occurred during wearing external fixator. In 5 patients with bone distraction lengthening for limb length discrepancy, the wearing external fixator time was 7-15 months; 2 patients had axial deviation during distraction and2 had greenstick fracture after apparatus removal; pin site infection was observed in 2 cases with grade 1 and 1 case with grade 2 according to Checketts-Otterburn classification system; the MSTS 93 score was 80.0-96.7 (mean, 89.2). The remaining patients had no complications, the knee and ankle joint movement was normal. Conclusion Orthofix unilateral external fixator can be used in fixation for complex bone defect after tumor resection and to correct limb length discrepancy after limb salvage surgery.