Status quo and difficulties in standardized treatment of infected nonunion of tibia

Abstract

In recent years, infection and infected nonunion after surgical treatment of tibial fracture have gradually increased, which has brought tremendous psychological and economic burdens to patients. At present, awareness and attention in the field of traumatic bone infections is insufficient, and many experienced orthopedic surgeons lack the basic knowledge and formal training on management of traumatic bone infections. Tibial intramedullary nail infection and infectious bone defect nonunion are difficult to treat and have a high recurrence rate. This article reviews the special principles of bacterial biofilm formation, surface competition, Klemm three factors and bone infection typing in the treatment of bone infection, the reamed debridement of tibial intramedullary nail fixation infection, the application of local antibiotics and the comparison between bone transport and inducing membrane techniques in the treatment of infectious nonunion. This article aims to provide some help for orthopedic surgeons in the systematic treatment of tibial infection. Key words: Osteomyelitis; Tibial fractures; Fracture fixation, intramedullary; Infected nonunion