Application of the reaming-irrigation-aspirator technique in autologous bone grafting for non-union of lower limb fracture
10.3760/cma.j.cn115530-20240905-00357
- VernacularTitle:扩髓-灌洗-吸引器技术在自体骨移植治疗下肢骨折不愈合中的应用
- Author:
Yanxin SHI
1
;
Aiguo WANG
1
;
Hui DONG
1
;
Liangyu ZHU
1
;
Wenxiang LI
1
;
Xinghua LI
1
Author Information
1. 郑州市骨科医院下肢骨科Ⅰ，郑州 450052
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Fractures, ununited;
Bones of lower extremity;
Bone grafting;
Grafting, autologous;
Reaming-irrigation-aspirator technique
- From:
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma
2025;27(3):216-221
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To evaluate the application of the reaming-irrigation-aspirator (RIA) technique in autologous bone grafting for non-union of lower limb fracture.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted of the data of 16 patients with non-union of lower limb fracture who had undergone autologous bone grafting using the RIA technique at Department of Lower Limb Orthopaedics Ⅰ, Zhengzhou Orthopaedic Hospital from July 2023 to March 2024. There were 12 males and 4 females with an age of (47.2±14.3) years. Sites of non-union: the femur in 14 cases and the tibia in 2 cases. Initial surgical fixation: intramedullary nail fixation in 5 cases, plate fixation in 10 cases, and intramedullary nail plus plate fixation in 1 case. The time for fracture non-union was (21.0±12.0) months. Intraoperatively, autologous bone reaming was conducted using a drill bit of RIA system, and simultaneous flushing using irrigation fluid. The bone debris carried out by the irrigation fluid was collected into a filtration device through negative pressure aspiration. After the filter was opened to squeeze out congestion, bone paste was taken out for standby. Internal fixation methods were adjusted according to the non-union condition of the fractures. Finally, the bone paste was implanted into bone defects. The time for autologous bone harvest, amount of bone harvested, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative pain at a donor site, fracture healing, functional recovery of a lower limb and occurrence of complications were recorded.Results:In 2 of the 16 patients, fracture of the RIA drill bit occurred when bone marrow was harvested from the tibia, and their operation was completed only after the drill bits were replaced. In the 16 patients, time for bone harvest was (31.4±6.1) min, bone harvest volume (42.6±9.5) mL, and intraoperative blood loss (815.6±238.6) mL. The incisions in this cohort healed primarily after operation, and 4-week follow-up revealed that no patients had pain symptoms at a donor site. The 16 patients were followed up for (8.0±2.0) months after operation. All patients achieved bone union after (4.4±0.5) months. Follow-ups showed that no patients had complications like delayed infection, donor site fracture, or loosening or fracture of an internal fixator. According to the rating scale for lower limb function at the last follow-up, the function of affected limb was evaluated as excellent in 7 cases, as good in 8 cases, and as fair in 1 case.Conclusion:Application of RIA technique for autologous bone grafting to treat non-union of lower limb fracture can lead to fine fracture healing and good lower limb function, but no long-term pain symptoms in the donor area for the patients.
