Ilizarov bone transport to treat infected nonunion of long bones: a multicenter retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy and safety of Ilizarov bone transport in the treatment of infected nonunion of long bones. METHODS: Patients who underwent Ilizarov bone transport for treatment of bone nonunion with chronic osteomyelitis in the three largest regional orthopedic trauma centers in China from July 2013 to July 2018 were retrospectively examined. Treatment results were evaluated with Paley’s criteria for bone healing and functional assessment. RESULTS: In total, 189 patients were treated during the study period. The study population comprised 135 male and 54 female patients with an average age of 37.5 years (range, 11–61 years). The patients were followed up for at least 24 months. According to Paley’s criteria for bone healing and functional assessment, the bone healing results were excellent in 115 (61%) patients, good in 31 (16%), fair in 21 (11%), and poor in 22 (12%). The functional evaluation results were excellent in 76 (40%) patients, good in 65 (34%), fair in 22 (11%), poor in 26 (14%). CONCLUSION: Infected nonunion of long bones can be effectively and safely treated with Ilizarov bone transport.