Bone Lengthening Methods in the Treatment of Large Segmental Bone Defects

Abstract

Ilizarov’s concept of treating large segmental bone defects (LSBD) by means of bone transport along the defect is, in our opinion, an outstanding idea [3]. On the other hand, Ilizarov’s circular external device used for this purpose has certain drawbacks due to its bulkiness, placement difficulties, postoperative management, and the transfixing system used. The Department of Orthopedic Surgery of the University of Navarra in collaboration with the Department of Orthopedics of the Alfred I. DuPont Institute (Wilmington, Delaware) experimented on this concept in animals, but using monolateral frames with which it was attempted to minimize the drawbacks involved in Ilizarov’s apparatus while maintaining the advantages of his original idea. The objective was to assess the suitability of monolateral frames in the treatment of LSBD following Ilizarov’s concept.