Objective To investigate the effectiveness of tissue flap grafting and sequential bone lengthening for repairing severe soft tissue and bone defects of the lower extremity after burn injury. Methods Between January 2010 and December 2015, 11 cases of large segmental bone and soft tissue defects in the leg were treated. There were 10 males and 1 female, with a mean age of 28 years (range, 19-37 years). The causes included traffic accident in 8 cases, high voltage electric burn in 2 cases, CO poisoning burn in 1 case. The time from injury to admission was 3-14 days (mean, 6.5 days). The bone defect length was 8-18 cm (mean,14 cm); the skin soft tissue defect ranged from 13 cm × 8 cm to 25 cm × 19 cm. After complete removal of necrotic tissue and lesions of the femur or the tibia, the tissue flaps were used to repair soft tissue defect of the lower extremity in one-stage operation; bone defect was treated by Orthofix single side external fixation or Ilizarov ring external fixation in two-stage operation. Results Eleven flaps survived completely, primary healing of incision was obtained in the others except for 1 patient who had necrotic bone infection, which was cured after removing necrosed femoral bone and filling with antibiotic bone cement spacer. During bone lengthening, pin tract infection occurred in 1 patient, and infection was controlled after dressing change. Bone lengthening ranged from 8 to 18 cm, with an average of 14 cm. After prolonged extension, the external fixator was retained for 4-12 months (mean, 6.5 months). All bone defects were repaired with bone healing time of 12-22 months (mean, 17 months). All patients were followed up 8-24 months (mean, 15 months). No vascular and neurological complication occurred during operation; no osteomyelitis or re-fracture occurred after operation, and the recovery of the lower extremity function was good. Conclusion Tissue flap grafting combined with bone lengthening is an effective method to repair severe bone and soft tissue defects of lower extremity.
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.
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.
ObjectiveTo preliminarily verify the effectiveness of self-designed artificial condyle-mandibular distraction (AC-MD) complex in the treatment of Pruzansky type ⅡB and Ⅲ hemifacial microsomia (HFM) through model test. MethodsFive children with Pruzansky type ⅡB and Ⅲ HFM who were treated with mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) between December 2016 and December 2021 were selected as the subjects. There were 3 boys and 2 girls wih an average age of 8.4 years (range, 6-10 years). Virtual surgery and model test of AC-MD complex were performed according to preoperative skull CT of children. The model was obtained by three-dimensional (3D) printing according to the children’s CT data at a ratio of 1∶1. The occlusal guide plate was designed and 3D printed according to the children’s toothpaste model. The results of the model test and the virtual surgery were matched in three dimensions to calculate the error of the residual condyle on the affected side, and the model test was matched with the actual skull CT after MDO to measure and compare the inclination rotation of the mandible, the distance between the condylar of the healthy side and the residual condyle of the affected side, and the lengthening length of the mandible. ResultsThe error of residual condyle was (1.07±0.78) mm. The inclination rotation of the mandible, the distance between the condylar of the healthy side and the residual condyle of the affected side, and the lengthening length of the mandible after 3D printing model test were significantly larger than those after MDO (P<0.05). Conclusion In the model test, the implantation of AC-MD complex can immediately rotate the mandible to the horizontal position and improve facial symmetry, and the residual condyle segment can be guided close to the articular fossa or the preset pseudoarticular position of the skull base after operation.
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 investigate the effectiveness of double osteotomy and lengthening of proximal phalanx and metacarpal with Ilizarov technique in treatment of thumb defect. MethodsBetween February 2017 and June 2019, 6 patients with traumatic thumb defects were treated with double osteotomy and lengthening of proximal phalanx and metacarpal by Ilizarov technique. There were 5 males and 1 female. The age ranged from 28 to 57 years, with an average of 41.5 years. There were 3 cases on the left side and 3 cases on the right side. All patients were admitted to the hospital in emergency department after injury, and the stump of the thumb was trimmed and sutured. The osteotomy plane was the distal part of the proximal phalanx in 4 cases and the interphalangeal joint in 2 cases. The interval between injury and osteotomy was 20-245 days (median, 34.5 days). After minimally invasive osteotomy and placement of a semi-circular external fixator, the lengthening began on the 5th day. The proximal phalanx and metacarpal were lengthened by 0.5 mm every day, once every 12 hours. The thumb of the affected side was distracted to the middle of the distal phalanx of the healthy thumb, and the fixator was removed after the bone healed. ResultsThe distraction time was 14-23 days, with an average of 18.8 days. The osteotomies were healed with healing time of 91-147 days (mean, 120.2 days). The total distraction length of the proximal phalanx and metacarpal was 1.40-2.25 cm, with an average of 1.86 cm; healing index was 51.0-72.2 days/cm, with an average of 64.9 days/cm. All patients were followed up 5-12 months (mean, 8.2 months). At last follow-up, the two-point discrimination was 5.3-8.5 mm with an average of 6.98 mm. According to the evaluation standard of the upper limb part of the Chinese Medical Association, the score was 10-14, with an average of 12.5. Among them, 4 cases were excellent and 2 cases were good, with an excellent and good rate of 100%. All patients were satisfied with the function and appearance of thumb after operation. The Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Quick-DASH) score was 2.3-9.1, with an average of 6.1. ConclusionThe double osteotomy and lengthening of proximal phalanx and metacarpal with Ilizarov technique is an effective method for the treatment of thumb defects.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of precise orthormorphia of tibial angulation deformity and shortening deformity by using digital technology combined with external fixator. Methods Twenty-six cases of tibial angulation deformity combined with shortening deformity were treated between June 2012 and August 2016, including 12 males and 14 females aged from 1 to 19 years with an average age of 16.5 years. There were 6 cases of congenital patella pseudoarthrosis, 1 case of fibrous dysplasia of femur and tibia, 3 cases of limb shortening deformity caused by infantile paralysis, 16 cases of fracture malunion. Limb shortening was 1.5-9.5 cm (mean, 6.2 cm) before operation. The deformity from three-dimensional perspective was analysed by digital technology, the surgical procedures of lengthening and osteotomy was simulated, the navigation templates were completed with computer aided design (CAD) and three-dimensional printing, and the external fixator was used to assist the lengthening of the tibia. X-ray films were regularly reviewed after operation to observe the new bone remolding, limb lengthening, load bearing line of lower limb, and recurrences of angulation. Results All the patients were followed up 14-48 months (mean, 18.8 months). There was only 1 case of superficial pin site infection which was cured with oral antibiotics and pin site care with mild disinfectants, and no complication such as bone nonunion, equines deformity, or vascular nerve injury occurred. The deformity of tibia and load bearing line of lower limb had been completely recovered according to postoperative X-ray films at 1 week. All the cases achieved perfect limb length as with preoperative design. The bone mineralization time was 12-20 weeks (mean, 11.6 weeks), the external fixator removal time was 18-26 weeks (mean, 14.9 weeks), and the healing index was 21-78 d/cm (mean, 63.4 d/cm). The postoperative flexion range of the injured limb was 15° less than the unaffected extremity in 1 case, and the situation was improved significantly after some physical manipulation and exercise, who completed the limb lengthening and achieved the expected effectiveness finally. Conclusion Precise orthormorphia of tibial deformity by using digital technology, and limb lengthening with the aid of external fixator can achieve good effectiveness with good reliability, invasiveness, and precision.
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.