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Biomedical subjects

S Robert Rozbruch

Publications and source records attributed to S Robert Rozbruch.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Lengthening of a free fibular graft after sarcoma resection of the humerus.

We report a patient who had resection of the humerus for osteosarcoma, initial reconstruction with a free fibular graft of the humerus, and subsequent lengthening of the graft. A 9-cm (100% of free fibula length) lengthening was achieved to equalize the humerus length. A complication of regenerate fracture was treated successfully with plating. Four years after the initial surgery for lengthening, the patient presented with a new radial neuropathy.

Adolescent↗

Simultaneous treatment of tibial bone and soft-tissue defects with the Ilizarov method.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the potential for limb salvage using the Ilizarov method to simultaneously treat bone and soft-tissue defects of the leg without flap coverage. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Level I trauma centers at 4 academic university medical centers. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-five patients with bone and soft-tissue defects associated with tibial fractures and nonunions. The average soft-tissue and bone defect after debridement was 10.1 (range, 2-25) cm and 6 (range, 2-14) cm respectively. Patients were not candidates for flap coverage and the treatment was a preamputation limb salvage undertaking in all cases. INTERVENTION: Ilizarov and Taylor Spatial Frames used to gradually close the bone and soft-tissue defects simultaneously by using monofocal shortening or bifocal or trifocal bone transport. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Bone union, soft-tissue closure, resolution or prevention of infection, restoration of leg length equality, alignment, limb salvage. RESULTS: The average time of compression and distraction was 19.7 (range, 5-70) weeks, and time to soft-tissue closure was 14.7 (range, 3-41) weeks. Bony union occurred in 24 patients (96%). The average time in the frame was 43.2 (range, 10-82) weeks. Lengthening at another site was performed in 15 patients. The average amount of bone lengthening was 5.6 (range, 2-11) cm. Final leg length discrepancy (LLD) averaged 1.2 (range, 0-5) cm. Use of the trifocal approach resulted in less time in the frame for treatment of large bone and soft-tissue defects. There were no recurrences of osteomyelitis at the nonunion site. All wounds were closed. There were no amputations. All limbs were salvaged. CONCLUSIONS: The Ilizarov method can be successfully used to reconstruct the leg with tibial bone loss and an accompanying soft-tissue defect. This limb salvage method can be used in patients who are not believed to be candidates for flap coverage. One also may consider using this technique to avoid the need for a flap. Gradual closure of the defect is accomplished resulting in bony union and soft-tissue closure. Lengthening can be performed at another site. A trifocal approach should be considered for large defects (>6 cm). Advances in technique and frame design should help prevent residual deformity.

Debridement↗

Temporary intentional leg shortening and deformation to facilitate wound closure using the Ilizarov/Taylor spatial frame.

Infected tibial nonunions with bone loss pose an extremely challenging problem for the orthopaedic surgeon. A comprehensive approach that addresses the infection, bone quality, and overlying soft-tissue integrity must be considered for a successful outcome. Acute shortening with an Ilizarov frame has been shown to be helpful in the treatment of open tibia fractures with simultaneous bone and soft-tissue loss. Cases in which the soft-tissue defect considerably exceeds bone loss may require an Ilizarov frame along with a concomitant soft-tissue procedure; however, there are a number of potential difficulties with vascularized pedicle flaps and free tissue flaps, including anastomotic complications, partial flap necrosis, and flap failure. The technique described in this report involves acute shortening and temporary bony deformation with the Ilizarov apparatus to facilitate wound closure and does not require a concomitant soft-tissue reconstructive procedure. Once the wound is healed, osseous deformity and length are gradually corrected by distraction osteogenesis with the Ilizarov/Taylor Spatial frame.

Fractures, Open↗

Knee arthrodesis with simultaneous lengthening using the Ilizarov method.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether knee arthrodesis with simultaneous lengthening using the Ilizarov method for a nonreconstructable knee joint with bone loss and infection is a successful salvage procedure. DESIGN: Retrospective review of patients. SETTING: University hospital-based orthopaedic practice. PATIENTS: From 1999 to 2001, 4 consecutive patients with a nonreconstructable knee joint, bone loss, and infection after trauma underwent knee arthrodesis with simultaneous lengthening. INTERVENTION: Arthrodesis of the knee with simultaneous limb lengthening through an osteotomy of the tibia and/or femur and the use of an Ilizarov frame. External bone stimulation was used at the knee arthrodesis site and the lengthening sites. Application of this device began during the early distraction phase and continued until frame removal. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Bony union at the arthrodesis and bone lengthening sites, alignment of the lower extremity, limb length discrepancy, infection, pain, and outcome scales (SF-36 scores and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons lower limb modules). RESULTS: Bony union of the knee arthrodesis and lengthening sites and good alignment were achieved in all 4 patients. Mean amount of lengthening was 5.4 cm (range 2.5-11.5 cm). Average time in frame was 11 months (range 6-17 months). Limb length discrepancy after treatment averaged 1.8 cm (range 0.6-3.7 cm). Mean duration of follow-up after frame removal was 35 months (range 28-48 months). At follow-up, infection had not recurred, pain was not present, and assistive devices were not needed for ambulation. Average SF-36 scores improved in all 8 categories, and the average American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons lower limb modules improved from a mean of 33 (range 11-37) to a mean of 68 (range 51-76). CONCLUSION: Knee arthrodesis with simultaneous lengthening can be performed successfully using the Ilizarov method. It enables surgeons to optimize limb length during knee arthrodesis. The use of external fixation and the avoidance of internal implants may be advantageous in the presence of or history of infection. The Ilizarov frame provides stability that allows weight bearing during treatment.

Adult↗

Ilizarov hip reconstruction for the late sequelae of infantile hip infection.

BACKGROUND: The late sequelae of infantile hip infection include absence of the femoral head and neck, proximal migration of the femur, lower-extremity length discrepancy, abnormal gait, and pain. The Ilizarov hip reconstruction includes an acute valgus and extension osteotomy at the proximal part of the femur combined with gradual distraction for realignment and lengthening at a second, more distal, femoral osteotomy. The purpose of this study was to determine whether this technique can successfully treat the sequelae of infantile hip infection. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of a series of eight consecutive patients with a Type-IV or V hip deformity, according to the classification system of Hunka et al., after an infantile hip infection. The patients' mean age at surgery was 11.2 years. All hips were unstable, with a mean of 3.8 cm of proximal migration. A mean valgus angulation of 44 degrees and a mean extension angulation of 19 degrees were created with the proximal osteotomies. Distal femoral lengthening averaged 5.7 cm, and distal femoral varus angular correction averaged 10 degrees. The mean time in the Ilizarov frame was 4.7 months. Outcomes were evaluated clinically and radiographically. The clinical evaluation included gait analysis and the use of a modified Harris hip score. RESULTS: At the time of follow-up, at a mean of five years, the mean lower-extremity length discrepancy had improved from 4.6 cm preoperatively to 0.7 cm. The mean modified Harris hip score had improved from 51 points to 73 points (p = 0.007). All extremities were well aligned, with a mean pelvic mechanical axis angle of 89 degrees. The mean deviation of the mechanical axis was 2 mm in a lateral direction. The mean stance-time asymmetry improved from 16% to 5.4% (p = 0.0037), and the mean ground-reaction force (second peak) improved from 102% of body weight to 122% of body weight (p = 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: The Ilizarov hip reconstruction can successfully correct a Trendelenburg gait and simultaneously restore knee alignment and correct lower-extremity length discrepancy. When the procedure is performed on a young patient, remodeling of the proximal osteotomy site and development of lower-extremity length discrepancy should be expected and the procedure may need to be repeated.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

Distraction osteogenesis for nonunion after high tibial osteotomy.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether distraction osteogenesis can be used to treat hypertrophic nonunion associated with angular deformity and shortening after Coventry style high tibial osteotomy. Five consecutive patients were retrospectively reviewed. In all patients the alignment had collapsed into excessive varus or valgus and leg length discrepancy was present. The leg length discrepancy, malalignment, and nonunion were treated simultaneously with distraction. Union was achieved by the time of fixator removal, which averaged 4.4 months. The Hospital for Special Surgery knee score significantly improved from 42 to 89. The mechanical axis deviation significantly improved by 5 cm. The coronal plane deformity significantly improved by 13 degrees, and leg length discrepancy improved significantly from 2.3 to 0.5 cm. Metaphyseal bone stock increased by 43%, and the Insall-Salvati ratio increased from 1.1 to 1.2 and remained within normal limits. All patients were satisfied with the procedure, and none have had or need a total knee replacement at an average followup of 4 years. Distraction osteogenesis of nonunion after high tibial osteotomy is a minimally invasive and successful procedure. It leads to bony union with correction of deformity and leg length discrepancy and prevents the need for total knee replacement at intermediate-term followup. The increase in metaphyseal bone stock may make total knee replacement technically easier.

Adult↗

Fibula lengthening using a modified Ilizarov method.

A combination of external and internal fixation techniques for a fibular lengthening procedure using the Ilizarov method is described. The technique is minimally invasive, allows precise deformity correction, enables early weight bearing, and minimizes the time that the patient wears the external fixator.

Adolescent↗