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MANAGEMENT OF POST-TRAUMATIC CHRONIC OSTEOMYELITIS USING ILIZAROV'S TECHNIQUE- OGHARA EXPERIENCE

Enemudo RE, Okeke MO, Edomwonyi EO, Odatuwa-Omagbemi DO, Ugwueke GI


Background: The treatment of chronic osteomyelitis has been a big challenge to orthopaedic surgeons till date because of the difficulty of eradicating infection. The use of Ilizarov technique has made this possible and is changing the outcome of management of this condition. Objective: To report the outcome of management of post-traumatic chronic osteomyelitis using Ilizarov technique in DELSUTH, Oghara. Results: A total of 8 patients were seen in this study, 7 males and 1 female with a M:F ratio of 7:1. The age range was 18- 52 years ( mean=36.1+11.6). All were victims of road traffic accident(RTA) with a Cierny and Mader type IVA chronic osteomyelitis. Linear rail system was used in 7 patients and Ilizarov device was used in one. The range of bone length excised was 6-12cm (mean=9.1cm). The average duration of external fixator was 10months, with a range of 8-14months. 7 of the patients had initial in-hospital treatment before developing osteomyelitis while one was treated by traditional bone setter (TBS). The outcome of treatment was excellent in 6 and good in 2 using Dror Paley’s criteria. The complications seen were pin tract infection, muscle spasms, loss of regenerate, joint stiffness and pains. Conclusion: The use of Ilizarov technique in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis has been successful. It has brought hope and relieves to both orthopaedic surgeon and patients and also reduced the rate of amputations and complication of squamous cell carcinoma and renal failure from secondary amyloidosis previously associated with the disease.