Comparison Of The Efficacy Of Orthofix External Fixator Versus Ilizarov External Fixator In The Treatment Of Post-traumatic Tibial Osteomyelitis

Objective To compare the curative effects of Orthofix external fixator versus Ilizarov external fixator in the treatment of post-traumatic tibial osteomyelitis.Method A retrospective analysis of 14 patients with post-traumatic tibial osteomyelitis treated with bone transport technique by Orthofix external fixator and Ilizarov external fixator from January 2014 to January 2015.There were 11 males and 3 females,6 on the left and 8 on the right,which were divided into 2 groups according to the type of external fixator applied.The preoperative information such as gender,age,type of injury,cause of initial injury,erythrocyte count and hemoglobin were recorded and compared.Bone transportation was performed at the rate of 1 mm per day after the latency period of 7-10 days which divided into 4-6 time a day to complete.All patients were closely follow up,postoperative information such as bone mineralization time,bone transported lengthen,fixator time,SCL-90 self-evaluation scores and incidence of complications were recorded and compared.Results There were 9 patients in the Orthofix external fixator group and 5 patients in the Ilizarov external fixator group;The age of patients in both groups was 14-59 years(mean 36.9 years);The patients were followed up for 12-24 months(an average 19.57 months).The preoperative mean albumin level was 40.2g/L and 39.64g/L,hemoglobin was 139.8g/L and 130.0g/L,leukocytes were 6.75×10^9/L and 7.71×10^9/L in patients with the Orthofix external fixator group and the Ilizarov external fixator group,respectively.The average mineralization time was 48.4 days and 45.6 days,the average bone transportation time was 6.9 cm and 7.4 cm,the average fixator time was 19.1 months and 20.4 months,respectively.Patients treated with pressurization in the butt joint end were 8 cases and 5 cases,respectively;patients treated with docking site adjustment and bone grafting were 1 case and 0 case,respectively;Patients occurred with limitted ROM of ankle and knee joint were 2 cases and 5 cases,respectively;Patients occurred with skin traction pain during bone transportation were 5 cases and 3 cases,respectively;Pin tract secretion occurred in 6 cases and 4 cases,respectively;The results of SCL-90 selfevaluation score from both groups suggest that only 3 patients with factor score >2,the other patients did not meet the positive screening criteria.Conclusion There were no significant difference from clinical aspect in the treatment of post-traumatic osteomyelitis with Orthofix external fixator and Ilizarov external fixator,but there were different degrees of impact on patient's daily life and psychological condition in later stage.