J Korean Orthop Assoc.  1998 Oct;33(5):1468-1474.

Treatment of Infected Nonunion of the Femur with Marked Shortening by Compression and Gradual Distraction at the Nonunion Site: A Report of 2 cases

• Park HW
• Ha JW
• Han DY
• Yang KH
• Choi YY

Abstract

The authors report two cases of successful reconstruction in infected nonunion of the femur involving marked shortening by compression and gradual distraction at the nonunion site using Ilizarov external fixator. At first, infection was controlled by radical excision & the administration of systemic antibiotics for four weeks and we also started compression at the nonunion site 3 days after operation. Autogenous iliac bone graft was added to strengthen the site of new bone formation lastly. In this report, the role of the compression seems to provide a good environment for distraction osteogenesis by focal necrosis and triggering inflammation. Compression and gradual distraction may be one of the treatment mordalities for nonunion of a long bone with massive bone loss or shortening, even infected.

Keyword

Femur; Infected nonunion; Shortening; Compression - distraction; Ilizarov

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
External Fixators
Femur*
Inflammation
Necrosis
Osteogenesis
Osteogenesis, Distraction
Transplants
Anti-Bacterial Agents