The Treatment of Infected Non-union of Long Bones with Plate and Screws

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of internal fixation with plate in treating infected nonunion of long bone. Materials and Methods: From March 1993 to February 2004, ten patients who underwent internal fixation with plate and cancellous bone graft on account of infected nonunion of long bone were retrospectively examined. The medical treatment were composed of thorough and adequate debridement of necrotic tissue, irrigation and plate fixation. Two patients were operated on with bridging plate method. Autologous cancellous bone graft was performed in 6 patients. In 2 cases, it was performed 4 weeks after internal fixation. Results: In 9 patients, radiographic union appeared on the average of 6.8 months and infections were cured before union occurred. Conclusion: Internal fixation with plate is a useful method for the solid fixation in the treatment of infected nonunion. The general concern was that the inserted hardware worsened the infection, which was overcomed with the operative techniques as bridging plate, debridement and cancellous bone graft.

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