Staged bone grafting using the induced membrane technique in the management of infected nonunion of long bones

Abstract

Introduction The treatment of bone defect is a demanding matter especially in the presence of infected nonunion. The technique of bone grafting within induced membranes offers a feasible option with nominal complications. Patients and methods In the time period from September 2010 until October 2012, patients who came to the orthopedic emergency in Suez Canal University Hospitals with posttraumatic bone defects and infected nonunion were involved in the study. We used the induced membrane technique and Ilizarov external fixation in all included patients. Results A total of 11 consecutive patients were identified within the time period. The length of bone defect ranged from 2 to 7 cm. All patients demonstrated radiographic evidence of union over the defect after treatment with a mean duration of 88.4 days (84–96 days) from the bone grafting surgery till the appearance of radiographic consolidation. No complication was encountered in this series. Conclusion Masquelet technique is effective in the treatment of cases of infected nonunion of long bones.