Treatment of congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia using the Ilizarov technique

Abstract

The principle of treatment of congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) with the Ilizarov method corrects all angular deformity and maximizes the cross-sectional area of union of the pseudoarthrosis. Fifteen patients with a total of 16 CPT were treated using the Ilizarov apparatus. Various forces were used to treat the pseudoarthrosis site including compression, distraction, open reduction, resection and shortening, resection and bone transport, and invagination of one end in the other. Lengthening was performed in 12 of the 16. Deformity was corrected in all cases. The union rate was 94% with one treatment and 100% with two treatments. There were five refractures, three early and two late. Previous pin sites, residual angular deformity, and natural history were considered predisposing factors for refractures. One patient refractured twice but remained ununited. Fifteen remained united, with a mean follow-up period of four years (range, two to seven). There were two residual deformities, one in the regenerate and one at the level of the CPT.