Comparison of the clinical outcomes between vascularized bone graft and the Masquelet technique for the reconstruction of Gustilo type III open tibial fractures

Ching Yu Lan, Po Hao Lien, Yu Te Lin, Cheng Hung Lin, Chung Cheng Hsu, Chih Hung Lin, Shih Heng Chen*, Yi Hsun Yu*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Gustilo type III tibial fractures commonly involve extensive soft tissue and bony defects, requiring complex reconstructive operations. Although several methods have been proposed, no research has elucidated the efficacies and differences between vascular bone graft (VBG) and the Masquelet technique (MT) to date. We aimed to evaluate and compare the clinical effectiveness of VBG and the MT for the reconstruction of Gustilo type III tibial fractures. Methods: This retrospective cohort study enrolled patients who underwent reconstruction for Gustilo type III tibial fractures using VBG or the MT in a single center from January 2000 to December 2020. The patients’ demographics, injury characteristics, and surgical interventions were documented for analysis. The clinical outcomes including union status, time to union, postoperative infections, and the causes of union failure were compared between the two groups. Results: We enrolled 44 patients: 27 patients underwent VBG, and 17 underwent MT. The average union time was 20.5 ± 15.4 and 15.1 ± 9.0 months in the VBG and MT groups, respectively (p = 0.232). The postoperative deep infection rates were 70.4% and 47.1% in the VBG and MT groups (p = 0.122), respectively. Though not statistically significant, the VBG group had a shorter union time than did the MT group when the bone defect length was > 60 mm (21.0 ± 17.0 versus 23.8 ± 9.4 months, p = 0.729), while the MT group had a shorter union time than did the VBG group when the bone defect was length < 60 mm (17.2 ± 5.6 versus 10.7 ± 4.7 months, p = 0.067). Conclusions: VBG and MT are both promising reconstruction methods for Gustilo type III tibial fractures. VBG appears to have more potential in reconstructing larger bone defects, while MT may play an important role in smaller bone defects, severe surgical site infections, and osteomyelitis. Therefore, flexible treatment strategies are required for good outcomes in Gustilo type III open tibial fractures.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1036
JournalBMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Volume23
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 12 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, The Author(s).

Keywords

  • Bone defect
  • Induced membrane technique
  • Infection
  • Masquelet technique
  • Open tibial fracture
  • Union time
  • Vascularized bone graft

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