Preliminary results of the induced membrane in upper limb. About 6 cases

The aim of this study was to describe the preliminary results after reconstruction of segmental bone defects (SBDs) in the upper limb of six patients. This retrospective study included three men and three women with an average age of 35years (range 18-62years), who had four primary and two secondary SBDs. The average length of the SBD was 4.5 cm (2-10cm). According to the SOFCOT classification, type I (1 case), type II (4 cases) and type III (1 case) defects were identified. The reconstruction involved the humerus in two cases and the forearm bones in four cases. A posterior plaster cast was applied in all patients during the first stage of treatment. Internal fixation was used during the second phrase (five plates, one K-wire). The mean time elapsed between the first and the second stages of treatment was 3 months (2-4 months). At the final follow-up, bone union was obtained in five patients after an average of 4.6 months (4-6 months). The progression was favorable after the first stage of the induced membrane technique. However, two cases of sepsis were observed after the second stage of treatment, one evolving to osteitis that caused graft resorption. The induced membrane technique is a sequential technique used for treating SBDs. It is an alternative method of bone reconstruction in the upper limb.