O3214 BONE TRANSPORT IN DIFFICULT NON-UNIONS

Abstract

Aims: We wanted to study the outcome of bone transport by Ilizarovñs method in simple and complicated gap non-unions where other conventional methods have little role to play. Methods: Sixty-six consecutive patients with an age range of 23–64 years (58 males and 8 females) were included in this study. Forty-four patients (67%) had associated problems like infection, deformity and shortening along with gap non unions of varying length. All the patients were treated with ring þxators and the principles of Ilizarovñs treatment were adopted. Corticotomy was carried out in all the cases. Appropriate arrangement of apparatus assembly was done according to the requirement of individual gap non-unions. Follow up ranged from 6 to 46 months. Results: In all but three cases, union was achieved along with satisfactory correction of other associated problems. In one case the patient had previously undiagnosed hypothyroidism and showed signs of callus at corticotomy site after treatment with thyroxine. This patient lost to follow-up. Two other cases needed further surgery (Ilizarovñs ring þxator). In one case, cancellous bone grafting had to be carried out. In six tibial gap non-unions, residual equinus deformity persisted. Conclusions: Ilizarovñs method of bone transport is quite effective in treatment of gap non-unions associated with complex problems, where other methods have proven to be less successful.