OBJECTIVETo explore the therapeutic effects of VSD combined with fascio-cutaneous flap transferation staging operation for the treatment of post-traumatic osteomyelitis.

METHODSFrom December 2007 to December 2009, 14 patients were treated with the technology of VSD combined with fascio-cutaneous flap transferation staging operatinon. Nine patients were males and 5 patients were females, and mean age was 36 years. All the patients were postoperative wound infection. Osteomyelitis of the tibia was in 9 cases, calcaneus in 3 cases, femur in 1 case, radius and ulna in 1 case; infection of time were from 2 to 96 weeks, an average time of 32 weeks.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 12 to 36 months, with an average of 19.2 months. All the patients were treated with debridement and VSD for 1 to 3 times, with an average of 1.57 times. The wounds of 13 cases healed well after flaps transferation, but of 1 case leakaged and healed after 3 weeks with the therapy of drainaging and changing dressings. Due to delayed healing or defects of bone, 8 patients had autologous bone grafted on the second stage. All wounds and fractures healed without recurrence of postoperative infection.

CONCLUSIONVSD combined with flap transferation is an effective treatment of post-traumatic osteomyelitis, which can shorten the treatment time and have better security and reliability than traditional methods.