Background: Management of large bone defects is a challenge for the surgeon and the patient as well, many functional and psychological disabilities results on and must be properly dealt with.
Masquelet technique saves time, easily performed and can give good results in managing large bone defects.
Methods: This is an interventional study in which 20 patients were treated using Masquelet technique for large intercalary bone defect. The recorded outcomes included bone union, residual deformity, infection, healing of soft tissues, returning to previous work, persistent pain, permanent joint contracture and patient satisfaction.
Results: The period of follow up ranged from 2.2 to 4 years with a mean of 3.1 years. The bone defect ranged from 5 to13 cm with a mean of 7.5 cm. Fifteen patients out of 20 had an open fracture. Ilizarov was used in 13 cases, locked plates in 4 cases and an LRS in 3 cases. The interval between the 1st and the 2nd stages ranged from 42 to 84 days with an average of 56 days. 17 patients (85%) achieved bone union. The infection had relapsed in 4 patients, one of them with flap failure and 3 cases with insufficient debridement; one case was treated by another debridement using a free vascularized flap, 2 cases were shifted to bone transport technique and the last case ended with amputation.
Conclusion: The Masquelet induced membrane technique was highly effective to achieve bone union especially in femoral cases.