Outcome of rail fixator system in reconstructing bone gap

BACKGROUND: Bone loss following open fracture or infected gap nonunion is a difficult situation to manage. There are many modes of treatment such as bone grafting, vascularized bone grafting and bone transport by illizarov and monolateral fixator. We evaluated the outcome of rail fixator treatment in reconstructing bone and limb function. We felt that due to problems such as heavy apparatus, persistent pain, deformity of joints and discomfort caused by an Ilizarov ring fixator, rail fixator is a good alternative to treat bone gaps. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 20 patients (17 males and 3 females with mean age 30.5 years) who suffered bone loss due to open fracture and chronic osteomyelitis leading to infected gap nonunion. Ten patients suffered an open fracture (Gustilo type II and type III) and 10 patients suffered bone gap following excision of necrotic bone after infected nonunion. There were 19 cases of tibia and one case of humerus. All patients were treated with debridement and stabilization of fracture with a rail fixator. Further treatment involved reconstructing bone defect by corticotomy at an appropriate level and distraction by rail fixator. RESULT: We achieved union in all cases. The average bone gap reconstructed was 7.72 cm (range 3.5-15.5 cm) in 9 months (range 6-14 months). Normal range of motion in nearby joint was achieved in 80% cases. We had excellent to good limb function in 85% of cases as per the association for the study and application of the method of ilizarov scoring system[ASAMI] score. CONCLUSION: All patients well tolerated rail fixator with good functional results and gap reconstruction. Easy application of rail fixator and comfortable distraction procedure suggest rail fixator a good alternative for gap reconstruction of limbs.