Interest of nailing associated with the Masquelet technique in reconstruction of bone defect

The Masquelet technique based on induced membrane is performed in two stages, first with generally an external fixator which is more and more relayed by an internal fixator. The aim of this study is to assess the results of stabilization by using intramedullary nailing from the first stage.

Nine patients were treated for a bone defect concerning 8 femurs and one tibia. The mean size of bone defect was 9.25 cm. It was secondary to a fracture (6 case) with bone defect and two septic and aseptic pseudarthrosis. In all cases the nailing was performed at the first stage of Masquelet. Prior to cement delivery, the site was thoroughly cleaned with iterative excisions as needed. Blood count control, normal CRP and negative culture were required before cement delivery. The cement was placed around the nail and encased the bony extremity. In the second stage, after removal of the cement, the defect was fulfilled by a mixture of cortico-cancellous autogenous graft taken from the iliac crest and phosphocalcic bone substitute. The nail was not changed in any patient. In post operative the mobilization of the above and underlying joints was immediate.

No sepsis was detected before the second time. Early weight bearing was allowed on average at the end of the 2 nd month. Total bearing without support was allowed at a mean of 5.5 months. All patients have consolidated. One patient had a shortening of 2.35 cm. The mean follow-up was 46.1 months. The average period to effective return to work was 21 months.

The nailing performed at the first stage of the induced membrane technique (IMT) gives good results. This modification does not seem to increase the risk of infection. These good results deserve to be confirmed by other studies to confirm the interests of associating nailing to IMT from the first stage.