Objective: To explore the effectiveness of induced membrane technique of hollow porous antibiotic-impregnated bone cement forming in vitro and lavage in vivo for the treatment of osteomyelitis.
Methods: Between January 2010 and March 2014, 14 cases of osteomyelitis were treated by induced membrane technique of hollow porous antibiotic-impregnated bone cement forming in vitro and lavage in vivo after debridement at the first stage, then the bone cement with bone graft was replaced during the induced membrane after infection was controlled at the second stage. The time from first to second stage operation was 8-12 weeks (average, 10.2 weeks). There were 11 males and 3 females, aged 18 to 69 years (average, 39.2 years). According to Cierny-Mader classification of osteomyelitis, 2 cases were rated as intramedullary type, 5 cases as limited type, and 7 cases as diffusing type. The course of osteomyelitis was 3 months to 20 years, averaged 1.9 years. The healing of bone defect and the functionary recovery of adjacent joint were evaluated according to Paley's method. RESULTS Debridement was performed for two times in 1 case, and for one time in 13 cases for control of bone infection at the first stage. All incisions healed by first intention after second stage. All patients were followed up 15-48 months (average, 13.4 months), with no recurrence of infection. All bone defects healed, and the clinical healing time was 4-5 months (average, 4.4 months). The results of bone healing grade were excellent in all cases at 1 year after operation; the functional recovery of adjacent joint at last follow-up was excellent in 4 cases, good in 8 cases, and fair in 2 cases, and the excellent and good rate was 85.7%.
Conclusion: Induced membrane technique of hollow porous antibiotic-impregnated bone cement forming in vitro and lavage in vivo for treatment of osteomyelitis has the advantages of high rate of elution of antibiotics, ease of lavage of medullary cavity, and no damage to induced membrane and bony interface between bone and bone cement when removing cement, it is effective for control of bone infection and repair of bone defect.