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Updated: Jan 1, 2026
Minimally Invasive Treatment for Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture Using Sagittal Alignment Screws and A Trauma Reduction Device
Published on: November 8, 2024
A RETROSPECTIVE CASE-SERIES ON THE USE OF S53P4 BIOACTIVE GLASS FOR THE ADJUNCTIVE TREATMENT OF SEPTIC DIAPHYSEAL
Guilherme Pelosini Gaiarsa1, Paulo Roberto Dos Reis1, Kodi Edson Kojima1
1Universidade de São Paulo, Hospital das Clínicas - HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Reconstruction and Lengthening Group, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Objective:
Non-union and persistence of infection at a fracture site for long periods are always described as a challenge to orthopedists, especially in cases of severe compound fractures with comminution and segmental bone loss. This is a case series of septic non-unions, using S53P4 bioactive glass for adjunctive treatment, using internal syntheses or external fixators. The objective is to retrospectively evaluate the results of the use of S53P4 bioglass for the adjunctive treatment of septic non-unions.
Methods:
We reviewed 18 patients with septic non-unions. The patients were preoperatively classified using the Non-union Scoring System (NUSS) and union outcomes were assessed by the modified radiographic union scale in tibial (RUST) fractures. Of the 18 patients treated, six underwent internal osteosynthesis and 12 were treated with external fixators in combination with bioactive glass grafting.
Results:
The patients had a mean NUSS score of 56.6 (standard deviation of 7.6) and fracture union was achieved according to the RUST score in 17 of 18 cases (94.4%), with a mean value of 10.2 (standard deviation of 1.0). One patient was lost to follow-up. Reevaluation using the modified RUST score was 12.3 (SD = 1.0), maintaining union of 17/18.
Conclusion:
The fracture union rate was high, according to the literature, as was control of infection.
