Treatment of chronic osteomyelitis with antibiotic-impregnated polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) - the Cierny approach: is the second stage necessary?

Background: Chronic osteomyelitis is a challenge for orthopedic surgeons. Most patients with osteomyelitis receive two-stage management according to Cierny-Mader. The first stage includes radical debridement and insertion of an antibiotic-impregnated cement spacer (ACS) (beads, rods, nails, or blocks) into the bone defect. The second stage is performed 6-8 weeks later, when the spacer is removed and a cancellous autograft is placed within the bone defect. The possibility of ACS as definitive management for osteomyelitis, avoiding the second stage, is presented.

Methods: Sixteen patients with osteomyelitis received radical debridement and insertion of an ACS in all forms into the bone defect as a definitive management. In 8 patients, the tibia was infected, 4 had femur infection, 2 humerus, 1 fibula, and 1 ankle. The mean age at the time of the first stage of reconstruction was 49 years (range, 13-71 years). According to the Cierny-Mader classification, 1 patient was C-M IA, another was IB, 7 IIIA, 6 IIIB, and 1 was 4A. All B hosts had systemic illnesses. The mean follow-up period was 6 years (1.5-16 years).

Results: No patient exhibited radiographic evidence of excessive bone loss. Signs of recurrence of osteomyelitis were not noted in any of the patients, and no fractures had occurred by the last follow-up.

Conclusion: Our study suggests that a proportion of patients with planned retention of ACS appear to function well without requiring further surgical intervention, especially in elderly or vulnerable patients.