The use of a temporary bone cement spacer followed by bone grafting, is one of the recent treatment strategies for post-traumatic bone defects, especially in the presence of infection.
Patients and Methods: This is a prospective study that includes a series of 16 patients with infected long bone defects in the radius or ulna. Patient`s age was from 9 - 46 years. Average bone loss was 6.5 cm. (range: 4.5 – 11 cm.). All patients were treated with the technique of free non-vasculized bone grafting and plate fixation following placement of an antibiotic-loaded cement spacer. A special novel modification in the original technique; was bone stabilization during 1st. stage using special K. wire internal construct (instead of external fixation).
Results: All cases showed bone union with sound consolidation in all; with persistence of infection in only one case. Total complications were few and minor after a minimum follow-up of two years (range 2-3.5 y.).
Conclusion: This modified Masquelet technique is a satisfactory option in the management of infected segmental forearm bone defects at a low complication rate.
|
