Autogenous bone graft in the management of post-osteomyelitis bone defects in children in a limited-resource setting – a retrospective cohort study with a minimum follow-up of 7 years

<p><strong>Background.</strong> Post-osteomyelitis bone defects represent a challenging clinical situation. This retrospective cohort study was designed to evaluate the long-term outcome of the use of non-vascularized bone grafts in the management of such defects in children. <s...

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Main Authors: A. Loro, F. Franceschi, M. M. Fisha, E. Ewochu, G. Mwanje, A. Dal Lago, M. McNally
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Bone and Joint Infection
Online Access:https://jbji.copernicus.org/articles/10/155/2025/jbji-10-155-2025.pdf
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author A. Loro
F. Franceschi
M. M. Fisha
E. Ewochu
G. Mwanje
A. Dal Lago
M. McNally
author_facet A. Loro
F. Franceschi
M. M. Fisha
E. Ewochu
G. Mwanje
A. Dal Lago
M. McNally
author_sort A. Loro
collection DOAJ
description <p><strong>Background.</strong> Post-osteomyelitis bone defects represent a challenging clinical situation. This retrospective cohort study was designed to evaluate the long-term outcome of the use of non-vascularized bone grafts in the management of such defects in children. <strong>Methods.</strong> Twenty-three children (mean age 7 years, range 2–13 years) were studied. All of the defects were segmental (mean defect length 6 cm, range 3–12 cm), involving the tibia, femur, humerus and radius. Fifteen children presented with an active infection and were managed with a staged protocol. The first stage included sequestrectomy or debridement of the site. The second stage, i.e. the graft procedure, was performed after 12 weeks on average. The mean follow-up was 9.2 years (range 7–15 years). <strong>Results.</strong> Bone union was primarily achieved in 14 children (61 %). Complications were experienced in the remaining nine children. Conservative and surgical treatment led to bone union in all patients within 5 years of the index procedure. Recurrence of infection was observed in two patients (8.7 %). All of the children were able to use the limb at the final follow-up; only three required the use of a brace. <strong>Conclusions.</strong> Autogenous non-vascularized bone graft may be considered a valid option in the treatment of bone defects secondary to osteomyelitis in children.</p>
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spelling doaj-art-13405b57747b41ce9caf6b833192f8fd2025-08-20T03:08:39ZengCopernicus PublicationsJournal of Bone and Joint Infection2206-35522025-04-011015516310.5194/jbji-10-155-2025Autogenous bone graft in the management of post-osteomyelitis bone defects in children in a limited-resource setting – a retrospective cohort study with a minimum follow-up of 7 yearsA. Loro0F. Franceschi1M. M. Fisha2E. Ewochu3G. Mwanje4A. Dal Lago5M. McNally6Department of Orthopaedics, CoRSU Rehabilitation Hospital, Kisubi, Ugandaindependent researcher: Trento, ItalyDepartment of Orthopaedics, CoRSU Rehabilitation Hospital, Kisubi, UgandaDepartment of Orthopaedics, CoRSU Rehabilitation Hospital, Kisubi, UgandaDepartment of Orthopaedics, CoRSU Rehabilitation Hospital, Kisubi, UgandaDepartment of Paediatrics, CoRSU Rehabilitation Hospital, Kisubi, UgandaHonorary Consultant in Limb Reconstruction, Oxford Bone Infection Unit, Oxford University Hospitals, Oxford, UK<p><strong>Background.</strong> Post-osteomyelitis bone defects represent a challenging clinical situation. This retrospective cohort study was designed to evaluate the long-term outcome of the use of non-vascularized bone grafts in the management of such defects in children. <strong>Methods.</strong> Twenty-three children (mean age 7 years, range 2–13 years) were studied. All of the defects were segmental (mean defect length 6 cm, range 3–12 cm), involving the tibia, femur, humerus and radius. Fifteen children presented with an active infection and were managed with a staged protocol. The first stage included sequestrectomy or debridement of the site. The second stage, i.e. the graft procedure, was performed after 12 weeks on average. The mean follow-up was 9.2 years (range 7–15 years). <strong>Results.</strong> Bone union was primarily achieved in 14 children (61 %). Complications were experienced in the remaining nine children. Conservative and surgical treatment led to bone union in all patients within 5 years of the index procedure. Recurrence of infection was observed in two patients (8.7 %). All of the children were able to use the limb at the final follow-up; only three required the use of a brace. <strong>Conclusions.</strong> Autogenous non-vascularized bone graft may be considered a valid option in the treatment of bone defects secondary to osteomyelitis in children.</p>https://jbji.copernicus.org/articles/10/155/2025/jbji-10-155-2025.pdf
spellingShingle A. Loro
F. Franceschi
M. M. Fisha
E. Ewochu
G. Mwanje
A. Dal Lago
M. McNally
Autogenous bone graft in the management of post-osteomyelitis bone defects in children in a limited-resource setting – a retrospective cohort study with a minimum follow-up of 7 years
Journal of Bone and Joint Infection
title Autogenous bone graft in the management of post-osteomyelitis bone defects in children in a limited-resource setting – a retrospective cohort study with a minimum follow-up of 7 years
title_full Autogenous bone graft in the management of post-osteomyelitis bone defects in children in a limited-resource setting – a retrospective cohort study with a minimum follow-up of 7 years
title_fullStr Autogenous bone graft in the management of post-osteomyelitis bone defects in children in a limited-resource setting – a retrospective cohort study with a minimum follow-up of 7 years
title_full_unstemmed Autogenous bone graft in the management of post-osteomyelitis bone defects in children in a limited-resource setting – a retrospective cohort study with a minimum follow-up of 7 years
title_short Autogenous bone graft in the management of post-osteomyelitis bone defects in children in a limited-resource setting – a retrospective cohort study with a minimum follow-up of 7 years
title_sort autogenous bone graft in the management of post osteomyelitis bone defects in children in a limited resource setting a retrospective cohort study with a minimum follow up of 7 years
url https://jbji.copernicus.org/articles/10/155/2025/jbji-10-155-2025.pdf
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