OBJECTIVETo discuss the clinical effects and superiority of applying external fixation and bone transport to treat osteomyelitis and bone defect of femoral bone.

METHODSFrom August 2008 to December 2013,16 patients with osteomyelitis and bone defect of femoral bone were treated including 11 males and 5 females with an average age of 42 years old ranging from 13 to 62 years old. The average course of disease was 18 months ranging from 2 months to 4.5 years, and the average length of bone defect was 7.8 cm ranging from 4.5 to 15 cm. The bone defect of all cases were treated by external fixation and bone transport, the bone transport began at 1 week after operation, 1 mm per day and 4 times per day.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for 10 to 36 months (means 22.5 months). One patient did not cooperate with treatment leads to the failure, then took the amputation. The remaining 15 cases of osteomyelitis were under control, including 12 cases of bone transport achieved one stage bone union, 3 cases achieved bone union via bone graft from iliac bone. The bone union time was 5 to 13 months(means 7.9 months). Thirteen patients almost obtained the same length of two lower extremities,2 patients had shortening of 1.5 to 2 cm. The time of moving the external fixation was from 6 to 16 months (means 9.3 months).

CONCLUSIONApplication of external fixation and bone transport is an effective method in treating the osteomyelitis and bone defect that can control the infection, eradicate wounds, and be the equalization of limb length.