Purpose
Infected forearm nonunion remains a challenge for the hand surgeon. Autologous bone
grafting within an induced membrane following implantation of a cement spacer, also
known as the Masquelet technique, is a procedure used for addressing segmental bone
defects. This report summarized our experience using this technique to treat the infected
forearm nonunion.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed a series of 32 patients treated for infected forearm nonunion
by the 2-stage Masquelet technique between 2009 and 2018. There was an infected nonunion
of the ulna in 28 patients and an infected nonunion of the radius in 4 patients. All
patients had undergone an average of 2.7 procedures before presenting at our institution.
Treatment involved a staged procedure in which an antibiotic-impregnated cement spacer
was implanted into the bone defect following debridement without internal fixation.
It was left in place for 4–6 weeks, during which time a membrane formed around the
cement spacer. In the second stage, the induced membrane was incised, and the cement
spacer was removed. The defect was then filled with cancellous autograft with the
addition of internal fixation. Postoperative radiographs were taken for the evaluation
of bone healing. The functional results of the affected forearm were evaluated for
motion loss of elbow or wrist and rotation loss of forearm.
Results
All nonunions healed without recurrent infection or loosening of internal fixation
at the time of final follow-up. All the patients showed substantial functional improvement,
with excellent results in 14 patients, satisfactory results in 13, and unsatisfactory
results in 5.
Conclusions
The induced membrane technique is an effective solution for infected forearm nonunion.
Type of study/level of evidence
Therapeutic IV.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 22, 2021
Accepted:
June 9,
2021
Received:
February 11,
2020
Footnotes
No benefits in any form have been received or will be received related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. All rights reserved.
