Bone transport osteogenesis for treatment of canine osteomyelitis

Abstract

Bone transport osteogenesis, as described by Ilizarov, has been used to resolve segmental bone defects in both human and veterinary patients. These defects are created when a large osseous tumour, sequestrum, or non-union fracture is resected. This report documents two cases in which the principle of bone transport osteogenesis was applied by utilising the Ilizarov technique to bridge large osseous defects resulting from debridement of an infected nonunion fracture (case 1) and debridement of a sequestrum (case 2). Defects were treated by transporting either a complete or a hemi-circumferential bone segment. Both cases had resolution of osteomyelitis, satisfactory fracture union, and functional usage of the limb 39 weeks and 15 weeks post-surgery, respectively. Although manageable complications were encountered during the treatment of these cases, the long-term clinical outcome was eventually favorable. The authors believe that bone transport osteogenesis offers a valid restorative option in the treatment of bone defects resulting from extensive debridement and seque- strectomy.