Role of autologous bone graft in the surgical treatment of atrophic nonunion of midshaft clavicular fractures

A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the role of autologous bone graft in treating atrophic nonunion of midshaft clavicle fracture with a limited-contact dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP). Between 1995 and 2008, sixty cases of atrophic nonunion of midshaft clavicle fractures were managed with open reduction and internal fixation with an LC-DCP. The cases were separated into 2 groups to evaluate the effect of autologous bone graft in the enhancement of bone union. In group 1 (n=24), autologous bone graft was not used; in group 2 (n=36), autologous bone graft was used. Pre- and postoperative management were the same in both groups. Radiographic results and functional outcomes according to the Quick Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score were evaluated. Average follow-up was 25.2 months (range, 24-48 months).No statistically significant difference was found between the 2 groups regarding demography and preoperative functional scores (P>.05). Operative time and hospital stay were statistically significant longer in group 2 (P<.001), and donor site pain was apparent in group 2. All 60 patients had uneventful union. No statistically significant differences were found between the 2 groups regarding union time (average, 9.8 weeks in group 1 and 9.2 weeks in group 2) and postoperative functional scores (P>.05). Limited-contact dynamic compression plate fixation is an effective method for treating atrophic nonunion of midshaft clavicle fractures. Autologous bone graft was not needed.     

Increased serum OPG in atrophic nonunion shaft fractures

Background  Bone repair alteration is hypothesized for nonunion fracture pathogenesis. Since it is involved in osteoclast regulation, the RANK/RANKL/OPG system (receptor activator of nuclear factor kB/its ligand/osteoprotegerin) may play a role. Materials and methods  Serum OPG, free RANKL, bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), osteocalcin (OC), and urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD) were determined in 16 male patients (20–39 years) with long bone atrophic nonunion fractures. Serum markers were also measured in 18 age-matched male controls who healed from the same type of fractures within six months, and in 14 age-matched male controls who were healing from the same fractures one month after injury. One-way ANOVA and Bonferroni’s test were used for statistical analysis. Results  Only OPG was significantly higher (0.56 sd 0.11 ng/ml) in the patients compared to healed (0.26 sd 0.04 ng/ml; P < 0.001) and healing (0.29 sd 0.09 ng/ml; P < 0.001) controls. The patients’ DPD levels were normal. No correlations were found between bone markers and the characteristics of the subjects in all groups. Conclusions  A normal steady state of bone metabolism seems to be present in patients with atrophic nonunion fractures, despite the high serum OPG. The reason for the inability of the patients’ OPG to inhibit osteoclastic activity is unknown. Osteoblast activity also appears normal, so another cellular source of OPG can be hypothesized.     

Factors associated with nonunion in conservatively-treated type-II fractures of the odontoid process

In type-II fractures of the odontoid process, the treatment is either conservative in a halo vest or primary surgical stabilisation. Since nonunion, requiring prolonged immobilisation or late surgery, is common in patients treated in a halo vest, the identification of those in whom this treatment is likely to fail is important. We reviewed the data of 69 patients with acute type-II fractures of the odontoid process treated in a halo vest. The mean follow-up was 12 months. Conservative treatment was successful, resulting in bony union in 32 (46%) patients. Anterior dislocation, gender and age were unrelated to nonunion. However, nonunion did correlate with a fracture gap (> 1 mm), posterior displacement (> 5 mm), delayed start of treatment (> 4 days) and posterior redisplacement (> 2 mm). We conclude that patients presenting with these risk factors are unlikely to achieve bony union by treatment in a halo vest. They deserve careful attention during the follow-up period and should also be considered as candidates for primary surgical stabilisation.     

富血小板血浆注射治疗萎缩性骨折不愈合

目的:探讨富血小板血浆(platelet-rich plasma,PRP)注射治疗萎缩性骨折不愈合的临床疗效。方法 :自2015年3月至2017年3月采用PRP注射治疗15例萎缩性骨折不愈合患者,其中男10例,女5例;年龄23～56(40.0±9.1)岁;不愈合时间6～14 (8.87±2.45)个月。抽取外周血60～100 ml,制备PRP,PRP血小板计数587～1 246(947.13±158.58)×10~9/L。透视定位下于骨折断端注射PRP 13～20 ml,分别于治疗后的第1、2周各注射1次,每月复查1次。观察术后患肢是否有短缩、成角、旋转畸形等并发症,并对其影像学检查进行评估。结果:所有患者获得随访,时间6～12(6.8±2.1)个月。治疗后患肢均无短缩、成角、旋转畸形等并发症发生。13例患者骨折愈合,愈合时间4～6(4.8±0.7)个月;2例患者12个月随访时完全无骨痂形成,其中1例治疗期间螺钉松动;其余病例均无并发症。结论:萎缩性骨折不愈合内固定术后骨折断端稳定是局部PRP注射的适应证。PRP治疗萎缩性骨折不愈合局麻穿刺下即可完成,操作安全、疗效可靠。     

Decreased pool of mesenchymal stem cells is associated with altered chemokines serum levels in atrophic nonunion fractures

Nonunion fractures can cause severe dysfunction and are often difficult to treat mainly due to a poor understanding of their physiopathology. Although many aspects of impaired fracture healing have been extensively studied, little is known about the cellular and molecular mechanisms leading to atrophic nonunion. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the pools and biological functions of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in atrophic nonunion patients compared to healthy subjects, and the systemic levels of growth factors involved in the recruitment, proliferation and differentiation of these cells. In nonunions, the pool of hMSCs was decreased and their proliferation delayed. However, once committed, hMSCs from nonunions were able to proliferate, differentiate into osteoblastic cells and mineralize in vitro as efficiently as hMSCs from healthy subjects. In parallel, we found altered serum levels of chemokines and growth factors involved in the chemotaxis and proliferation of hMSCs such as leptin, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and its soluble receptor, platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), stem cell factor (SCF) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Moreover, we showed that the number of EPCs and their regulating growth factors were not affected in nonunion patients. If nonunion is generally attributed to a vascular defect, our results also support a role for a systemic mesenchymal and osteogenic cell pool defect that might be related to alterations in systemic levels of factors implicated in their chemotaxis and proliferation.     

Percutaneous autologous concentrated bone marrow grafting in the treatment for nonunion

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic treatment effects of percutaneous autologous concentrated bone marrow grafting in nonunion cases and to evaluate the effectiveness of this grafting procedure. We enrolled 17 cases those had atrophic changes due to continuous nonunion for over 9 months after injury and had undergone low-intensity pulsed ultrasound treatment for more than 3 months. The site of nonunion was the femur in 10 cases, the tibia in 5 cases, the humerus in 1 case, and the ulna in 1 case. They underwent percutaneous autologous concentrated bone marrow grafting and continued low-intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulation treatment after grafting. Patients were evaluated using the visual analogue scale for pain at immediately before the procedure, 3, 6, and 12 months after grafting. Plain radiographs of the affected site were taken and evaluated about the healing of the nonunion site at each clinical evaluation. As quantitative assessment, CT scans were undertaken before the procedure and 6 months after grafting. The visual analogue scale pain score was reduced consistently after grafting in all patients. About the healing at the nonunion site, 11 and 13 cases of bone union were observed at 6 and 12 months after grafting. The mean volume of callus formation based on CT images was 4,147 (262–27,392) mm³ total between grafting and 6 months. Percutaneous autologous concentrated bone marrow grafting is an effective procedure for the treatment of patients with nonunion.     

经皮自体骨髓移植治疗骨折延迟愈合及不愈合

目的 探讨经皮自体骨髓移植治疗骨折延迟愈合、不愈合的疗效。方法 对11例骨折不愈合、4例延迟愈合患者,在C臂X线机透视下将所取自体红骨髓注射至骨折延迟愈合、不愈合部位。定期摄X线片复查。结果 12例获得愈合,愈合时间3～11个月。3例未愈合,未见异位骨化等并发症。结论 自体骨髓移植,是临床上治疗骨折延迟愈合及不愈合可供选择的方法之一。     

扩髓交锁髓内钉治疗胫骨萎缩性骨不连

[目的] 探讨胫骨萎缩性骨不连的原因及扩髓交锁髓内钉治疗胫骨萎缩性骨不连的效果。[方法] 对26例胫骨萎缩性骨不连的病例采用扩大髓腔的交锁髓内钉内固定。[结果] 经6个月～2年的随访，骨折全部愈合，关节功能明显改善。[结论] 扩大 髓腔的交锁髓内钉内固定是治疗胫骨萎缩性骨不连的理想方法。     

Impact of evaluating antibiotic concentrations in abdominal abscesses percutaneously drained

Background

Appropriate antibiotic therapy and prompt drainage are essential for optimal results with abdominal abscesses.

Methods

In this prospective study, 47 abdominal abscesses from 42 patients over 2 years who had percutaneous drainage were evaluated. Antibiotic concentrations were evaluated from the abscess fluid and correlated with clinical and microbiologic cure.

Results

Only 23% of patients had appropriate antibiotic selection with optimal concentrations for the bacteria recovered. Piperacillin/tazobactam, cefepime, and metronidazole provided adequate concentrations in all except the largest abscesses, whereas fluconazole required higher doses in all abscesses. Vancomycin and ciprofloxacin levels were inadequate in most abscesses. With gram-negative aerobes, the use of appropriate antibiotics resulted in a relatively higher incidence of presumed eradication (100% [4 of 4] vs 75% [9 of 12], P = .26). With ≥3 organisms identified, clinical failure was significant (58% vs 13%, P = .01).

Conclusions

For optimal treatment, abdominal abscesses require prompt drainage and properly selected antibiotics at adequate doses. Essential information can be obtained from abscess cultures and their antibiotic concentrations.     

Percutaneous autologous bone marrow transplantation for nonunion of the femur.

Percutaneous bone marrow injections were performed on 7 nonunions of the femur. There were 6 hypervascular nonunions and one avascular nonunion. Two nonunions presented with active infections. One other patient had a history of infection which had subsided. One nonunion received the injection twice. After the site of nonunion was curetted and the bone surface was scored, 150 ml of bone marrow aspirated from the iliac bone was injected. Complete union occurred in 4 patients within 9 months; all of them were uninfected hypervascular nonunions following intramedullary nail fixation. One nonunion with a bone defect united partially leaving a 1 x 1 cm defect. The two infected femoral nonunions failed to unite. The results show that percutaneous autologous bone marrow injection for femoral nonunions can be considered for uninfected hypervascular nonunions following intramedullary nail fixation. In these cases stimulation of healing processes of fracture leading to consolidation can be expected from bone marrow injection. However, femoral nonunion with an active infection and loss of fixation is considered to be a contraindication for this technique.     

Technique to prepare the bed for autologous bone grafting in nonunion surgery

This article describes a technique for preparing the bed for autologous bone grafting in nonunion surgery. The procedure is divided into 2 steps. First, both ends of the fracture fragments are chipped into small pieces using an osteotome and hammer without peeling off the periosteum, creating pathways into the bone marrow. Second, cancellous bone harvested from the iliac crest is grafted into the aperture created by the previous bone chipping treatment. The technique is easy to perform and is a promising approach for enhancing bone healing in nonunion and delayed union.     

Endoscopically assisted allogeneic bone grafting for atrophic nonunion of femur and tibia

BackgroundThe nonunion rate for all fractures is about 5–10%. The treatment of nonunion is based on the biologic and mechanical factors contributing to the cause of the nonunion. Debridement and bone grafting are the standard procedures used to treat nonunion of fractures.PurposeWe evaluated the results of endoscopically assisted allogeneic bone grafting performed to treat the nonunion of tibial and femoral fractures.MethodsBetween May 2006 and January 2011, eight patients (two men and six women) with tibial or femoral fracture nonunion were enrolled into our study. The average age of the patients was 35.4 years (range, 24–56 years). All patients underwent endoscopically assisted allogeneic bone graft implantation. We recorded the union status, clinical symptoms, and complications in all patients.ResultsThe average time from the fracture to surgery was 14.4 months (range, 9–22 months). The average follow-up period was 19.1 months (range, 9–28 months). Seven patients achieved bone union and only one patient required additional surgery. The average time between surgery and bone union was 6.4 months (range, 4–8 months). No major complications were reported.ConclusionEndoscopically assisted allogeneic bone grafting is a less invasive and effective treatment for atrophic nonunion of fractures.     

病段切除髓内腓骨移植结合骨延长技术治疗萎缩性骨不连

[目的]探讨一种新的治疗萎缩性骨不连的手术方式,即病段切除髓内腓骨移植结合骨延长技术联合应用,并观察其临床疗效。[方法]对2010年以来本院收治的21例外伤术后反复治疗不愈的萎缩性骨不连患者采用病段切除髓内腓骨移植结合骨延长技术进行治疗,其手术要点包括:切除骨不连断端活力不佳的骨段,取同侧腓骨节段行髓内移植,一期紧密对合胫骨断端,胫骨近端行截骨延长,观察其效果并分析总结。[结果]患者随访时间:12³6个月,平均(19.3±6.5)个月;延长长度3.236个月,平均(19.3±6.5)个月;延长长度3.2⁵ cm,平均(3.93±0.48)cm;愈合时间:45 cm,平均(3.93±0.48)cm;愈合时间:4⁶个月,平均(4.7±0.6)个月;ASAMI评价:骨愈合评价全部为优,优良率100%,功能评价11例为优,9例为良,1例为中,优良率95.2%。并发症方面:钉道感染6例,踝关节僵直1例。[结论]病段切除髓内腓骨移植结合骨延长技术对于萎缩性骨不连有着较好的疗效,可作为处理萎缩性骨不连的一种新的选择。     

Application of locking plate in long-bone atrophic nonunion following external fixation

The treatment of atrophic fracture nonunion continues to represent a therapeutic challenge. Large segmental osteopenia is often seen in patients who received uniplanar or hybrid external fixators as the definitive method of fixation for high-energy fractures, and this adds more difficulties to the treatment of fracture nonunion. This retrospective study was designed to assess the outcome of locking compression plating with autologous bone grafting in patients with long-bone atrophic nonunion following external fixation.From January 2004 to December 2009, a series of consecutive patients with atrophic nonunion of the long bone following external fixation were treated with this method in our institution. The clinical outcomes and complications of these patients were retrospectively analyzed. Twenty-seven patients with 28 fracture nonunions were involved in this study. Mean follow-up was 14.2±3.4 months. Bony union was achieved in all 27 patients within a mean 18.6±4.8 weeks after revision surgery. Two patients developed superficial wound infections. No deep infections were found, and no implant failure was seen. Three patients reported minor pain in the donor site of the bone graft, and no other donor site complications were found.Revision osteosynthesis of long-bone atrophic nonunion following external fixation by locking compression plating with autologous iliac crest bone grafting represents a safe and efficacious modality for the treatment of these challenging conditions.     

Metabolic activity of a new atrophic nonunion model in rabbits.

The aetiology of atrophic nonunions is not well understood: they are often thought to be nonreactive and metabolically inactive. Investigation of their biological processes is hampered by the lack of a useful animal model. Current models involve either wide segmental excision of the diaphysis or interposition of Silastic to impede the normal healing processes. neither of which resembles the clinical situation. We therefore aimed to establish a model of atrophic nonunion that more closely resembles the clinical situation and to use this model to evaluate the metabolic activity of the gap tissue of the nonunion. A simple and reliable model of atrophic nonunion has been developed in rabbits. It more closely represents the clinical situation by avoiding large segmental excisions and the interposition of foreign materials. Clinical, radiological, and histological data support the diagnosis of atrophic nonunion in the model. The concentration of adenosine triphosphate in the gap tissue of the nonunion served as a marker of metabolic activity. The gap tissue of established atrophic nonunions had a significantly higher concentration of adenosine triphosphate than did the control specimens. In this model, the gap tissue is metabolically active; therefore, under certain conditions, it may be possible to induce union if the correct stimulus is provided.     

Regeneration of the proximal tibial epiphysis during callus distraction for atrophic nonunion after infantile osteomyelitis

The purpose of this study was to report a case with osteomyelitis of the proximal tibia as an infant leading to an atrophic nonunion with a segmental bone defect and limb shortening. The patient was treated by callus distraction with external fixator three times, and regeneration of the proximal tibia epiphysis appeared during the management. The activation of the resting mesenchymal stem cells might contribute to the regeneration of the epiphysis and osteogenesis in the sites of atrophic nonunion.     

The Ilizarov method in infected nonunion of fractures

Thirty patients with infected non-union of long bones were treated with radical resection of the necrotic bone and bone transport or compression/distraction osteosynthesis. Non-union, infection, deformity, bone gap and shortening were all addressed simultaneously using the Ilizarov principles. There were 15 cases with bone loss ranging from 4 to 12 cm (median bone gap of 7 cm), 10 cases of stiff non-union (six of which had an associated deformity) and five cases of mobile non-union. The median time in the Ilizarov frame was 150 days. Median follow up time after frame removal was 23.5 months. Bone grafting at the docking site was only required in three cases (10%). There were three cases of refracture (10%) and three cases of recurrence of infection (10%). The bone result was excellent in 21 patients (70%), good in three (10%), fair in none (0%) and poor in six (20%). The functional results were excellent in eight patients (26.7%), good in 12 (40.0%), fair in three (10%) and poor in seven (23.3%). It is difficult to precisely define the indications for preservation and reconstruction of severe injuries. The surgical team has to take into account the length, disability, complications and cost of treatment. Patients must be aware of the limitations of functional results and the possible difficulty of return to work despite the reconstructive attempt.     

Feasibility of percutaneous gene transfer to an atrophic nonunion in a rabbit

Treatment of atrophic nonunions is a challenge to orthopaedic surgeons. Growth factors potentially are valuable factors for improvement of tissue healing. The use of growth factors, however, is limited by their short half-lives. Gene therapy has the potential to improve the treatment. This study aimed to establish and validate an atrophic nonunion model in a rabbit for the use of a percutaneous in vivo gene therapy protocol. An atrophic tibial nonunion was established in 24 New Zealand White rabbits. Radiologic and histologic followup was for 64 weeks. The rabbit tibias showed no radiologic or histologic signs of healing. In addition, an adenoviral vector carrying a marker gene was injected percutaneously into the nonunion site in 12 rabbits. Expression of the marker gene was assessed for as many as 4 weeks. The percutaneous gene delivery resulted in transgene expression in the nonunion site for as many as 4 weeks. The described model reliably leads to an atrophic tibial nonunion in rabbits. Adenoviral percutaneous gene delivery into the nonunion site is feasible and leads to transgene expression locally for at least 1 month. This study provides investigators with a reliable and reproducible model of an atrophic nonunion.     

Long-standing nonunion of fractures of the lateral humeral condyle

BACKGROUND: Patients with nonunion of a fracture of the lateral humeral condyle often have pain, instability, or progressive cubitus valgus deformity with tardy ulnar nerve palsy. However, some patients have minimal or no symptoms or disabilities. We evaluated patients with long-standing established nonunion of the lateral humeral condyle to correlate the clinical long-term outcome of this condition with the original fracture type. METHODS: Nineteen elbows in eighteen patients who were at least twenty years of age were evaluated. Fourteen patients were male, and four were female. The average age at presentation was 42.5 years. The average interval from the injury to the presentation of the symptoms of the nonunion was thirty-seven years. Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of the size of the fragment and the location of the fracture line. Group 1 included nine elbows with nonunion resulting from a Milch Type-I injury, and Group 2 included ten elbows with a nonunion resulting from a Milch Type-II injury. Evaluations were performed with use of radiographic examination, clinical assessment, and calculation of the Broberg and Morrey score. RESULTS: Symptoms were seen more frequently in Group 1 than in Group 2. The range of flexion in Group 1 (range, 60 degrees to 145 degrees; average, 99 degrees) was more restricted than that in Group 2 (range, 100 degrees to 150 degrees; average, 129 degrees) (p = 0.0078). The functional score in Group 2 was significantly higher than that in Group 1 (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Disabling symptoms only rarely developed in Group-2 patients. Occasionally, however, these patients do present with clinically detectable dysfunction of the ulnar nerve. In contrast, pain, instability, and loss of range of motion as well as ulnar nerve dysfunction developed in Group 1. For this reason we think that a nonunion of a Milch Type-I fracture should be treated as soon as possible after injury, preferably before the patient reaches skeletal maturity.