[Limited internal fixation combined with a hinged external fixator in treatment of peri-elbow bone infection]

To evaluate the effectiveness of limited internal fixation combined with a hinged external fixator in the treatment of peri-elbow bone infection.

The clinical data of 19 patients with peri-elbow bone infection treated with limited internal fixation combined with a hinged external fixator between May 2018 and May 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 15 males and 4 females with an average age of 44.6 years (range, 28-61 years). There were 13 cases of distal humerus fractures and 6 cases of proximal ulna fractures. All the 19 cases were infected after internal fixation of fracture, and 2 cases were complicated with radial nerve injury. According to Cierny-Mader anatomical classification, 11 cases were type Ⅱ, 6 cases were type Ⅲ, and 2 cases were type Ⅳ. The duration of bone infection was 1-3 years. After primary debridement, the bone defect was (3.04±0.28) cm, and the antibiotic bone cement was implanted into the defect area, and the external fixator was installed; 3 cases were repaired with latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap, and 2 cases were repaired with lateral brachial fascial flap. Bone defects repair and reconstruction were performed after 6-8 weeks of infection control. The wound healing was observed, and white blood cell (WBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reaction protein (CRP) were reexamined regularly after operation to evaluate the infection control. X-ray films of the affected limb were taken regularly after operation to observe the bone healing in the defect area. At last follow-up, the flexion and extension range of motion and the total range of motion of the elbow joint were observed and recorded, and compared with those before operation, and the function of the elbow joint was evaluated by Mayo score.

All patients were followed up 12-34 months (mean, 26.2 months). The wounds healed in 5 cases after skin flap repair. Two cases of recurrent infection were effectively controlled by debridement again and replacement of antibiotic bone cement. The infection control rate was 89.47% (17/19) in the first stage. Two patients with radial nerve injury had poor muscle strength of the affected limb, and the muscle strength of the affected limb recovered from grade Ⅲ to about grade Ⅳ after rehabilitation exercise. During the follow-up period, there was no complication such as incision ulceration, exudation, bone nonunion, infection recurrence, or infection in the bone harvesting area. Bone healing time ranged from 16 to 37 weeks, with an average of 24.2 weeks. WBC, ESR, CRP, PCT, and elbow flexion, extension, and total range of motions significantly improved at last follow-up ( P<0.05). According to Mayo elbow scoring system, the results were excellent in 14 cases, good in 3 cases, and fair in 2 cases, and the excellent and good rate was 89.47%.

Limited internal fixation combined with a hinged external fixator in the treatment of the peri-elbow bone infection can effectively control infection and restore the function of the elbow joint.