Correction of severe post-traumatic deformities in the distal femur by distraction osteogenesis using Taylor Spatial Frame: a case report

A case of deformity and shortening after post-traumatic growth arrest treated using the Taylor Spatial Frame (Smith & Nephew, Tennessee, USA) is presented. This is the first report showing the application of the frame for post-traumatic deformity in the distal femur, and successful outcomes promise utilization of the frame even for correction of severe deformity in the distal femur.     

Clinical outcomes in pediatric tibial lengthening and deformity correction: a comparison of the Taylor Spatial Frame with the Orthex Hexapod System

PurposeComparison of two hexapod frame systems in paediatric tibial deformity correction; the Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF) and Orthex Hexapod System.MethodsPaediatric patients with congenital and acquired tibial deformities treated with either TSF (between 2014 and 2016) or Orthex (between 2017 and 2019) frames were included in a retrospective comparative study. Outcome measures were healing index, pin infection rate, regenerate quality and density, software residual rate, deformity correction accuracy, strut exchanges and quality of life (QoL).ResultsThe TSF group had 17 patients (18 frames) and the Orthex group had 21 patients (25 frames). The most common indications for tibial deformity correction were fibular hemimelia (14) and septic or traumatic growth arrest (8). The median time in frame was 230 days (TSF) versus 203 days (Orthex) (p= 0.06). The mean lengthening achieved was 54 mm (TSF) and 51 mm (Orthex) (p = 0.41). The healing index was 41 days/cm (TSF) versus 43 days/cm (Orthex) (p = 0.70). Pin site infections occurred more in the TSF cohort (40%) than in the Orthex cohort (18%) (p < 0.001). The regenerate in the Orthex group showed higher density at three months (p = 0.029) and was more homogenous (p = 0.023) at six months after frame application. Strut exchanges were less frequent with the Orthex system (p < 0.0001). QoL measures were similar in both cohorts (p = 0.92).ConclusionsThis is the first study to compare two hexapod designs in paediatric orthopaedics. The Orthex system showed superiority in regenerate quality and a significant reduction in pin site infection rates. Both systems delivered predictable and accurate limb deformity correction.Level of evidenceIII     

Clinical value of the Taylor Spatial Frame: a comparison with the Ilizarov and Orthofix fixators

Purpose  

Evaluation of the advantages and limitations of the Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF) with regard to the healing index (HI), distraction–consolidation time (DCT), accuracy of correction complications, and cost of the device.     

Conversion of open tibial IIIb to IIIa fractures using intentional temporary deformation and the Taylor Spatial Frame

The closure of small-to-moderate-sized soft tissue defects in open tibial fractures can be successfully achieved with acute bony shortening. In some instances, it may be possible to close soft tissue envelope defects by preserving length and intentionally creating a deformity of the limb. As the soft tissue is now able to close, this manoeuvre converts an open IIIb to IIIa fracture. This obviates the need for soft tissue reconstructive procedures such as flaps and grafts, which have the potential to cause donor-site morbidity and may fail. In this article, the authors demonstrate the technique for treating anterior medial soft tissue defects by deforming the bone at the fracture site, permitting temporary malalignment and closure of the wound. After healing of the envelope, the malalignment is gradually corrected with the use of the Taylor Spatial Frame. We present two such cases and discuss the technical indications and challenges of managing such cases.     

Accuracy of complex lower-limb deformity correction with external fixation: a comparison of the Taylor Spatial Frame with the Ilizarov ring fixator

Purpose Circular external fixators have several advantages over other surgical options in the treatment of limb length discrepancy and axial deformity. The innovative Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF) combines a rigid hexapod fixation system with the support of a web-based software program, and thus offers the possibility of simultaneous corrections of multidirectional deformities. Whilst there is still some scepticism of many Ilizarov device users about the advantages of the TSF, the purpose of the study was to perform a comparison between the TSF and the Ilizarov ring fixator (IRF) with regard to the accuracy of deformity correction in the lower limb. Methods Two hundred and eight consecutive deformity corrections in 155 patients were retrospectively evaluated. There were 79 cases treated with the IRF and 129 cases treated with the TSF. The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 13.2 years (range; 2–49 years). Standing anteroposterior and lateral radiographs were evaluated preoperatively and immediately after removal of the frames. The final result was compared to the preoperatively defined aim of the deformity correction. According to the treated count of dimensions, we differentiated four types of deformity corrections. The results were graded into four groups based on the persisting axial deviation after removal of the frame. Results The aim of the deformity correction was achieved in a total of 90.7% in the TSF group, compared to 55.7% in the IRF group. On the basis of the count of dimensions, the TSF achieved obviously higher percentages of excellent results (one dimension: TSF 100%; IRF 79.3%; two dimensions: TSF 91.8%; IRF 48.6%; three dimensions: TSF 91.1%; IRF 28.6%; four dimensions: TSF 66.7%; IRF 0%). In addition, the degree of the persisting deformity increased with the number of planes of the deformity correction. Conclusions The TSF allowed for much higher precision in deformity correction compared to the IRF. In two-, three- and four-dimensional deformity corrections in particular, the TSF showed clear advantages. This may derive from the TSF-specific combination of a hexapod fixator with the support of an Internet-based software program, enabling precise simultaneous multiplanar deformity corrections.     

Distraction osteogenesis for correction of three-dimensional deformities with shortening of lower limbs by Taylor Spatial Frame

Introduction  Surgical results of correction of three-dimensional deformities with shortening of lower limbs by simple two-ring system of Taylor Spatial Frame have been reported. The deformities were caused by various kinds of skeletal disorders. Methods  Ten cases were successfully corrected using distraction osteogenesis, being one case showed recurrence of deformity due to the nature of the disease. Results  The ranges of corrected deformities were 5°–55° in coronal angulation, 2°–47° in sagittal angulation, and 5°–40° in rotational deformities. Amount of lengthening ranged from 1.2 to 6.0 cm. Pin-site infection occurred in five cases, being no other complications. External fixation index was longer in a group of rotational correction over 10°. Conclusion  The current report seems the first series of cases with four-dimensional deformities treated by distraction osteogenesis by TSF and may help to determine the indication of use of TSF in case of treatment of patients suffering from deformities in the lower limbs.     

Severe penile injuries: a problem of severity and reconstruction

OBJECTIVES

To report our experience of treating severe penile injuries with different causes and treatments, as penile trauma presents a difficult physical and psychological problem, and the type and extent of injury varies from mild to severe, sometimes even with total amputation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We analysed retrospectively 43 patients (mean age 28 years, range 5–52 years) with severe penile injuries referred to us from March 1999 to August 2007. The causes of penile injuries differed, including iatrogenic trauma (20), traffic accidents (11), burns (three), self‐amputation (two), ritual circumcision (two), penile fracture (two), gunshot trauma (two) and electrocution (one). The management required a wide variety of surgical techniques tailored to each patient depending on the type and extent of injury.

RESULTS

The mean (range) follow‐up was 47 (10–108) months. The aesthetic and functional results, including satisfactory sexual intercourse were good in 35 patients. There were complications in seven patients; infection after implanting an inflatable penile prosthesis in one, protrusion of a semirigid prosthesis in one, urethral complications (one stenosis and two fistulae) in three and partial skin flap necrosis in two.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe penile injuries should be treated on an individual basis, applying different techniques. However, treatment can be effective and safe only in specialized centres.     

Treatment of severe early onset Blount’s disease by an intra-articular and a metaphyseal osteotomy using the Taylor Spatial Frame

Purpose  Severe Blount’s disease results in a multiplanar deformity of the lower limb. The mechanical axis is disrupted, there is a rotational deformity, and also shortening of the limb. A depression of the medial tibial plateau causes joint incongruity and instability. The purpose of this study is to review the results of treatment addressing all the aspects of the deformity. Methods  Four patients were treated for severe Blount’s disease. The index procedure consisted of a medial tibial plateau elevating osteotomy, a lateral tibial and proximal fibular epiphysiodesis, a proximal tibial metaphyseal osteotomy, and the application of the Taylor Spatial Frame programmed for correction of varus, rotation and shortening, and preemptive lengthening to compensate for growth arrest. Results  Mechanical axis was corrected from a mean 23° (13°–30°) to 0° in three patients and 6° valgus in 1. Tibias were lengthened by 1–4 cm. At follow-up, the mechanical axis was 0° in two patients and 7° varus in two. The overlengthening was diminishing as planned. Conclusions  The double osteotomy and Taylor Frame correction was found to be accurate, safe, and effective for multiplanar deformity correction in severe Blount’s disease.     

应用单臂外固定器治疗儿童四肢骨折

应用单臂多功能外固定器治疗儿童四肢骨折３１例，骨折愈合时间为８～１０周，平均５８天。此法具有以下优点：１．不需切开复位，不损伤软组织及骨膜，减少骨折断端的血供破坏，有利于骨折早期愈合；２．可早期进行关节功能锻炼，缩短了骨折愈合后的康复期，无关节僵硬等并发症；３．对合并严重软组织损伤的开放性骨折或邻近关节的骨折，不影响创面修复和局部换药；４．单臂多功能外固定器小巧轻便，患儿带外固定器期间肢体仍可正常活动。