Contribution of G.A. Ilizarov to bone reconstruction: historical achievements and state of the art

Abstract

Methodological solutions of Prof. G.A. Ilizarov are the core stone of the contemporary bone lengthening and reconstruction surgery. They have been acknowledged in the orthopaedic world as one of the greatest contributions to treating bone pathologies. The Ilizarov method of transosseous compression-distraction osteosynthesis has been widely used for managing bone non-union and defects, bone infection, congenital and posttraumatic limb length discrepancies, hand and foot disorders. The optimal conditions for implementing distraction and compression osteogenesis were proven by numerous experimental studies that Prof. G.A. Ilizarov organized and supervised at a large orthopaedic research institute in Kurgan. The tension stress effect on regeneration and growth of tissues was thoroughly investigated with radiographic, histological and biochemical methods. The impact of the Ilizarov method on the progress of bone lengthening and reconstruction surgery could be called revolutionary.

Keywords: Bone regeneration; Compression; Distraction; External fixation; Ilizarov method.

Fig. 1

Prof. G.A. Ilizarov (1921–1992) in his study. Courtesy of the Centre’s museum

Fig. 2

A variant of tibial corticotomy which is performed from a 1.5-cm incision on the anteromedial surface. Drilling of the posterolateral cortex with a Kirshner wire is produced tangently to provide a corticotomy direction line