David Lowenberg
Publication Details
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Long Term Results and Costs of Muscle Flap Coverage with Ilizarov Bone Transport in Lower Limb Salvage.
J Orthop Trauma. 2013
OBJECTIVES:: To determine long-term outcomes and costs of Ilizarov bone transport and flap coverage for lower limb salvage. DESIGN:: Case series with retrospective review of outcomes with at least six year follow-up. SETTING:: Academic, tertiary care medical center. PATIENTS:: Thirty-four consecutive patients with traumatic lower extremity wounds and tibial defects who were recommended amputation but instead underwent complex limb salvage from 1993 to 2005. INTERVENTION:: Flap reconstruction and Ilizarov bone transport. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS:: Outcomes assessed were flap complications, infection, union, malunion, need for chronic narcotics, ambulation status, employment status, and need for re-operations. A cost analysis was performed comparing this treatment modality to amputation. RESULTS:: Thirty-four patients (mean age, 40 years) were included with 14 acute Gustilo IIIB/C defects and 20 chronic tibial defects (nonunion with osteomyelitis). Thirty five muscle flaps were performed with one flap loss (2.9%). The mean tibial bone defect was 8.7 cm, mean duration of bone transport was 10.8 months, and mean follow-up was 11 years. Primary nonunion rate at the docking site was 8.8% and malunion rate was 5.9%. All patients achieved final union with no cases of recurrent osteomyelitis. No patients underwent future amputations, 29% required re-operations, 97% were ambulating without assistance, 85% were working full time, and only 5.9% required chronic narcotics. Mean lifetime cost per patient per year after limb salvage was significantly less than the published cost for amputation. CONCLUSIONS:: The long-term results and costs of bone transport and flap coverage strongly support complex limb salvage in this patient population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
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