Objective: To present our technique and early results using the Masquelet technique.
Design: Retrospective cohort study.
Patients/participants: Thirteen patients with 14 open fractures of the femur and tibia were included between November 2013 and December 2014.
Intervention: A Masquelet technique was used to manage the open fractures.
Main outcome measure: Infection and union rate.
Results: The mean follow-up was 17 months. The mean bone defect was 56.6 mm. Eight fractures (57.1%) progressed to union at an average of 42.1 weeks. Infection developed in 3 fractures (21.4%). Overall, the induced membrane technique was abandoned in 5 (35.7%) cases.
Conclusions: The induced membrane technique showed a substantial rate of failure in the acute trauma setting in the lower limb. In the absence of sound published evidence, the authors now use the technique in selected cases only.
Level of evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.