Successful limb salvage using the two-staged technique with internal fixation after osteodistraction in an effort to treat large segmental bone defects in the lower extremity.

Background: The reconstruction of large segmental bone defects exceeding 8 cm remains a major therapeutic challenge. Strategies to avoid amputation and thereby provide satisfactory functional outcomes have not been sufficiently evaluated. Therefore, the present study reviews the clinical and functional outcomes after limb salvage.

Methods: From 1994 to 2011, a consecutive series of 12 patients with lower-limb segmental bone loss exceeding 8 cm were reviewed. Eight patients had suffered from a third-degree open fracture, whereas four patients had undergone bone resection after osteomyelitis. All patients underwent initial skeletal fixation with a simple, external frame. In six patients, the bone healed with no further stabilization after osteodistraction, while internal fixation by intramedullary nailing or plating was necessary in six patients.

Results: In reference to the clinical outcome, ten patients returned to their pre-injury activity level despite sustaining a total of 25 complications. Overall, patients with external fixator alone were at higher risk of sequelae (P = 0.014). In comparing the two groups, axis deviation at the lengthening site occurred in three patients without additional internal fixation; the only refracture occurred in this group. Generally, the size of the bone defect after debridement averaged 12.5 cm (range 8-26 cm). The mean distraction period until frame removal was 11 months (range 3.2-16.2 months). The EFI averaged 33.4 days/cm, whereas no significant differences in EFI were found between the groups.

Conclusion: We observed a reduced incidence of axial deviation and refracture in patients with large segmental bone defects who underwent an additional internal stabilization after fixation with an external frame. The two-stage technique caused no increase in infectious complications and might therefore be a preferable approach for successful limb salvage in patients suffering from large segmental bone defects exceeding 8 cm with insufficient bone formation during external fixation.