Ying Jiang1, Yong-Fei Guo2, Ya-Ke Meng3, Lei Zhu4, Ai-Ming Chen5. 1. Department of Medicine, New Jersey Medical School Affiliated to Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07103, United States; Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Chang Zheng Hospital Affiliated to China Second Military Medical University, 415 Feng Yang Rd., 200003, Shanghai, PR China. Electronic address: yj244@njms.rutgers.edu. 2. Department of Orthopedic, Shanghai Chang Zheng Hospital Affiliated to China Second Military Medical University, 415 Feng Yang Rd., 200003, Shanghai, PR China. Electronic address: guoyongfei2015@163.com. 3. Department of Orthopedic, Shanghai Chang Zheng Hospital Affiliated to China Second Military Medical University, 415 Feng Yang Rd., 200003, Shanghai, PR China. Electronic address: yakemeng2015@163.com. 4. Department of Orthopedic, Shanghai Chang Zheng Hospital Affiliated to China Second Military Medical University, 415 Feng Yang Rd., 200003, Shanghai, PR China. Electronic address: leizhu2015@163.com. 5. Department of Orthopedic, Shanghai Chang Zheng Hospital Affiliated to China Second Military Medical University, 415 Feng Yang Rd., 200003, Shanghai, PR China. Electronic address: chengaiming2015@163.com.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The refractory post-operative diaphyseal femur fracture (DFF) non-union is extremely difficult to treat and remains severe challenges for orthopedists. Although several traditional internal fixations and novel biomedical techniques have been used in managing this complication, its treatment is still fraught with severe challenges. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Starting from 1999, 5 patients after three previous internal fixation operations showing refractory DFF non-union underwent the comprehensive fibular autograft with double metal locking plates fixation (cFALP) surgery. The autogenous fibular was first harvested and non-evenly split into two halves in a longitudinal manner. After retracting all previous internal fixation(s), the larger half strut fibula was hammered into the femur canal while the smaller half was fragmented into small pieces and filled surrounding the DFF site. Two locking compression plate were fixed on the lateral and anterior (or antero-lateral) side of the femur, respectively. RESULTS: The follow-up ranged from 60 to 96 weeks. All cases (100%) achieved bony union without severe complications. The mean time to union was 36±14.7 weeks (range 24-60 weeks). CONCLUSION: The cFALP is a promising surgical modality for DFF non-union treatment. However, because fibular harvest may cause severe complications, the cFLAP should only be considered in refractory DFF non-union cases.
INTRODUCTION: The refractory post-operative diaphyseal femur fracture (DFF) non-union is extremely difficult to treat and remains severe challenges for orthopedists. Although several traditional internal fixations and novel biomedical techniques have been used in managing this complication, its treatment is still fraught with severe challenges. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Starting from 1999, 5 patients after three previous internal fixation operations showing refractory DFF non-union underwent the comprehensive fibular autograft with double metal locking plates fixation (cFALP) surgery. The autogenous fibular was first harvested and non-evenly split into two halves in a longitudinal manner. After retracting all previous internal fixation(s), the larger half strut fibula was hammered into the femur canal while the smaller half was fragmented into small pieces and filled surrounding the DFF site. Two locking compression plate were fixed on the lateral and anterior (or antero-lateral) side of the femur, respectively. RESULTS: The follow-up ranged from 60 to 96 weeks. All cases (100%) achieved bony union without severe complications. The mean time to union was 36±14.7 weeks (range 24-60 weeks). CONCLUSION: The cFALP is a promising surgical modality for DFF non-union treatment. However, because fibular harvest may cause severe complications, the cFLAP should only be considered in refractory DFF non-union cases.