Infected Non-unio‎n of Tibia Treated with Ilizarov External Fixator: Our Experience

Introduction: Tibia is the most common long bone fractured due its vulnerable subcutaneous location and most often associated with acquired complications of delayed unio‎n or non-unio‎n due to infection. Amongst the various treatment options to treat them, the Ilizarov external fixator application is considered superior due to its multiple advantages. The objective of this study was to analyse the role of Ilizarov fixation in infected tibial non-unio‎n, as well as to assess bony unio‎n and associated functional outcomes. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review was conducted for the duration between 1st January 2005 to 31st December 2016. Total of fifty-one patients with tibial non-unio‎n associated with infection who treated with the Ilizarov fixator were included in the study. Patient records were reviewed for unio‎n of bone, bone and functional outcomes and complications. Results: The most common organism for infection was identified to be Staphylococcus Aureus. At the time of final follow-up all patients had achieved unio‎n except two, one of whom had to undergo amputation due to non-unio‎n and sepsis. Majority of the patients had an excellent score as per ASAMI grading system for bone and function results. The most common complication noted was pin track infections. Conclusion: In our experience, Ilizarov external fixator is better suited for infected non-unio‎n of tibia because it can provide a stable mechanical environment, bone transport, correct deformities, and enable weight bearing and hence we recommend its use for the same.