Fixator-Assisted Acute Femoral Deformity Correction and Consecutive Lengthening Over an Intramedullary Nail

Abstract

While femoral lengthening and deformity correction can be obtained with classic methods for application of an external fixator, the long period of external fixation, patient discomfort, and plastic deformation of the regenerated bone after removal of the fixator are major disadvantages. Two techniques, fixator-assisted nailing and lengthening over an intramedullary nail, were combined in this series. The duration of the external fixation was reduced compared with that required for classic treatment with an external fixator and patient comfort was increased. In addition, the intramedullary nail prevented fracture and deformation of the regenerated bone.

Long-term functional and quality of live assessment following post-traumatic distraction osteogenesis of the lower limb

“…The distraction system used in this study did not allow for correction of mechanical axis deviation during distraction, but newer systems do offer this option. Recently, fixator-assisted lengthening over an intramedullary nail was described [10, 11]. Kocaoglu et al [11] concluded that the duration of external fixation was reduced compared with that required for classic treatment and the patients’ comfort improved.…”

Fixator-assisted Technique Enables Less Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis in Medial Opening-wedge High Tibial Osteotomy: A Novel Technique

“…The less invasive plating technique has been developed in an effort to reduce the incidence of surgical complications caused by iatrogenic soft tissue injury and damage to the vascularity of the bone. The less invasive technique offers low risk of nonunion, delayed union, or soft tissue problems [15,18,20,26] by reducing iatrogenic damage to the surrounding soft tissues during the surgery. In this study, we observed few soft tissue-related complications such as union-related problems (0%), deep infection (0%), and other soft tissue complications (2%).…”

Treatment of chronic osteomyelitis of the femur with combined technique

“…Early removal of the external fixator reduces the risk of pin-site infection and allows for early rehabilitation of the patient. [1,[11][12][13] In our case, the patient had two minor complications according to the Paley classification, [7] which were resolved without any additional surgery. Angulation and translations have been reported as possible complications of bone transport procedures.…”

“…Song et al [10] demonstrated refractures after deformity correction when an intramedullary nail had not been used, and no fractures when an intramedullary nail had been used. Kocaoglu et al [11] did not encounter any refractures or recurrences of the deformities in their series.…”

“…[9] The major advantage of this current technique is using an intramedullary nail with external fixator, which overcomes the problems of shortening, plastic deformation, angular deformity and fracture of the regenerated bone. [1,[10][11][12] Compared with the classic external fixator technique, this combined technique achieved significantly reduced EFT, EFI, and consolidation index. Early removal of the external fixator reduces the risk of pin-site infection and allows for early rehabilitation of the patient.…”