Current data on extremities chronic osteomyelitis in southwest China: epidemiology, microbiology and therapeutic consequences

Abstract

The current study was designed to explore the epidemiology of extremities chronic osteomyelitis, its prognosis and the complications of the treatment methods being used in southwest China. The data from osteomyelitis patients treated at the Department of Orthopaedics, Southwest Hospital, China between May 2011 and September 2016 were collected and analysed. The study comprised 503 admitted patients, of which 416 males and 87 were females, with an average age of 40.15 ± 5.64 years. Approximately 356 cases were followed for more than 18 months; the average bone union time was 6.24 ± 0.76 months in 94.1% (335) patients, and infections were almost controlled in 93.8% patients. The rate of infection control with the induced membrane technique was higher than with the I-stage free bone graft. Iliac infection was the main complication of the induced membrane technique, and impaired joint activity was the main complication of I-stage free bone grafts. In southwest China, the incidence of haematogenous osteomyelitis, caused mainly by Staphylococcus aureus, remains very high. The speed of bone defect repair and the rate of infection control with the induced membrane technique were superior to those of I-stage free bone grafts. Internal fixation should be given priority because it offers reduced complications with no increase in the recurrence of infection.

Epidemiology, microbiology and therapeutic consequences of chronic osteomyelitis in northern China: A retrospective analysis of 255 Patients

“…Wang et al . 8 reports that in southwest China, the top two infection sites are tibia (57.5%) and femur (26.8%). Jiang et al .…”

“…It also poses great challenges for orthopedists 7 . Wang 8 and Jiang et al . 9 provide recent data on the epidemiology of chronic osteomyelitis in southwest and southern China, which can be used by local government policy-makers and by clinicians.…”

Epidemiology, Microbiology and Therapeutic Consequences of Chronic Osteomyelitis in Northern China: A Retrospective Analysis of 255 Patients

“…This is consistent with other clinical reports [13,14], but differs from the clinical reports of south China. Wang et al [8] reports that in southwest China, the top two infection sites are tibia (57.5%) and femur (26.8%). Jiang et al [9] reported a similar result for southern China, finding the most frequent single infection site was the tibia (39.00%), followed by the femur (24.46%), and calcaneus (11.46%).…”

“…In the current study, results from sinus tract bacterial culture were consistent with pathogenic bacteria in only 42.1% of cases. This might be caused by contamination with nonpathogenic bacteria during the sampling process, or other naturally-occurring random factors [8, 24]. Clinicians may also be collecting these samples in a non-standard manner.…”

“…It also poses great challenges for orthopedists [7]. Wang [8] and Jiang et al [9] provide recent data on the epidemiology of chronic osteomyelitis in southwest and southern China, which can be used by local government policy-makers and by clinicians. However, China is a country of great diversity in its population, climate and culture.…”