Ilizarov Technique in Correcting Limbs Deformities: Preliminary Results

This is a prospective study of eleven patients treated by Ilizarov technique for various limb lesions. These included lengthening, deformities, malunion, non union and congenital pseudarthrosis. Abundant, well formed new bone was obtained in all patients who had lengthening procedure. Union for pseudarthrosis was sound. Twenty one manageable complications were encountered in the 15 segments treated, most of the complications could be reduced by improving the surgeons' familiarity of the technique, beside a careful psychological preparation of the patients before and during the treatment. This method of treatment is very useful for certain cases of musculoskeletal disorders provided familiarity of the technique and pre-operative planning are maintained. The Ilizarov technique was introduced in Siberia in the 1950 principally to fix trans-osseous tensioned wires over rings which are connected together by rods. If it is used for lengthening or correction of bony deformities, then corticotomy of the segment between the rings is performed. The medulla and periosteum should be preserved 1,2,4. Ilizarov has demonstrated that bone and soft tissue could reproducibly be formed by gradual distraction. This has led to the management of many congenital and acquired bony problems. For septic and aseptic non union, Ilizarov has demonstrated that compression, distraction forces through the site of non union can stimulate union without the need for bone grafting 1,2,4. The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate and compare these results with other published studies elsewhere. METHODS This is a prospective study of eleven patients managed for various limb lesions with the Ilizarov technique at King Khalid University Hospital between December 1992 and May 1994. This represent the initial 17 months of use of this technique. The method used was the classical technique described by Ilizarov 1,2,3. It is based on transfixation of the limb segment involved by tensioned transosseous 1.5 to 2.0 mm wires. These wires are fixed to a stainless steel ring around the limb. Each ring has to be at least three centimeters away from the skin all around the limb. The rings are connected to