Tibial transverse transport (TTT) was firstly applied to treat thromboangiitis obliterans successfully by Professor QU Long in China in 2000. Based on this, the team of Professor HUA Qikai in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University applied this technique to treat diabetic foot since 2013, and until now, more than 500 patients underwent this treatment with excellent effectiveness including a salvage rate as high as 96.1%. Our team also improved this technique in many aspects, and developed a TTT-based classification system and treatment for diabetic foot. We also explored the underlying mechanism of TTT treatment using imaging, histology, and other basic research methods. To further promote the application of this technique in clinic, we reported the findings from our cases and reviewed our previous findings in this study.

BACKGROUND:Previous therapies for diabetic foot are not ideal with large cost, and moreover, amputation is often required. OBJECTIVE: To perform the Ilizarov bone transport in the treatment of patients with diabetic foot (Wanger grades 3-4), and to observe the limb salvage conditions. METHODS: Eighteen patients with diabetic foot, Wanger grades 3-4, admitted in the Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from December 2013 to June 2015 were enroled in this trial. Al of patients were subjected to Ilizarov bone transport. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Al the 18 patients were folowed up for 3 to 20 months, and presented with ulcer healing. Scores on ankle-brachial index and 10-g nylon line test were both increased significantly in the patients after treatment, but the visual analog scale scores were reduced. These findings indicate that the Ilizarov bone transport is an effective method for treating ulcer of diabetic foot at Wanger grades 3-4.

The treatment of lower extremity chronic refractory ulcers requires a long time but with poor prognosis. Thus, many patients end up with amputations. The treatment of lower extremity chronic and recalcitrant ulcers and limb salvage has been a challenge worldwide. The Ilizarov technique based on the law of "tension-stress" brings a new hope in treating lower limb chronic and recalcitrant ulcers. The Ilizarov technique and distraction osteogenesis not only induce bone formation but also lead to angiogenesis and improved microcirculation. The Ilizarov technique consists of longitudinal distraction of long bone and tibia trans-verse transport (TTT) (proximal tibial corticotomy followed by transverse distraction). These two techniques have their own advantages and disadvantages with different indications in clinical application. Longitudinal distraction of long bone is mainly used for bone formation, such as large bone defects, osteonecrosis or bone infection (with or without soft tissue loss or ulcers). Because of only a partial osteotomy in TTT, the trauma is minor and their effects on limb instability are limited. Moreover, the procedure is simple with only a few minor complications. Thus, it is ideal in treating lower limb ischemic ulcers, such as diabetic foot ulcers, thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease), ulcers caused by atherosclerotic occlusion, arterial or venous ulcers, and trauma wounds. Several studies reported that TTT achieved high healing and limb salvage rates in treating severe diabetic foot ulcer. However, TTT could achieve lower recurrent rate. Thus, it is the most successful application in treatment of chronic ulcers. TTT also improves healing and limb salvage in treatment of thromboangiitis obliterans. However, the overall effects are limited than those in treating diabetic foot ulcer. For lower limb atherosclerosis occlusion, TTT induces regeneration of microvessles and consequently leads to ulcer healing. The effects are better than other conventional treatments. A combination therapy with vascularization is emphasized to attain the optimal long-term effects. The effects of TTT on lower limb recalcitrant ulcers still need to be validated in randomized control trial with larger sample size. Further, the mechanism of treatment needs to be explored by pilot studies which could show that this may be related to the formation of pro-angiogenetic factors and a rebalance of the inflammatory microenvironment during TTT.

Chronic refractory wound (CRW) is one of the most challengeable issues in clinic due to complex pathogenesis, long course of disease and poor prognosis. Experts need to conduct systematic summary for the diagnosis and treatment of CRW due to complex pathogenesis and poor prognosis, and standard guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of CRW should be created. The Guideline forthe diagnosis and treatment of chronic refractory wounds in orthopedic trauma patients ( version 2023) was created by the expert group organized by the Chinese Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, Chinese Orthopedic Association, Chinese Society of Traumatology, and Trauma Orthopedics and Multiple Traumatology Group of Emergency Resuscitation Committee of Chinese Medical Doctor Association after the clinical problems were chosen based on demand-driven principles and principles of evidence-based medicine. The guideline systematically elaborated CRW from aspects of the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, postoperative management, complication prevention and comorbidity management, and rehabilitation and health education, and 9 recommendations were finally proposed to provide a reliable clinical reference for the diagnosis and treatment of CRW.