Anand Shankar1, Vishvendra Kumar Sinha2
BACKGROUND
The classical method of treatment of chronic osteomyelitis with sequestrum needs saucerization and sequestrectomy which become quite difficult when small sequesrtrae are spread over a long span in medullary canal. To saucerize such a long segment is not only difficult, it may be dangerous because of excessive blood loss and mechanically the bone become weak. A pathological fracture or iatrogenic fracture is definite possibility. Intramedullary reaming has its selected indication in osteomyelitis of long bones when remnants of dead infected bone are intramedullary embedded in an endosteal new bone formation. Previously intramedullary reaming with irrigation and suction was devised for treatment of this type of chronic osteomyelitis of long bones. This needed complex and costly instrumentation which cannot be afforded by all the orthopaedic surgeons. So, a new technique was developed without any extra instrumentation and expenditure ensuring complete removal of sequestrum.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The suitable patients coming to OPD were selected. Total of 5 patients were treated by this method and results noted in the form of recurrence, subsidence of discharge and range of motion of adjacent joints, hospital stay, need of dressing, morbidity, pain level.
RESULTS
In very short follow up of about 2-4 years there has been no recurrence (clinically and radiologically), complete subsidence of discharging sinuses and without any further loss of range of motion of adjacent joints.
CONCLUSION
The presenting operative procedure for achieving the goal of treating chronic intramedullary osteomyelitis in short term period was very well achieved in all the cases. Since there is no extra instrumentation and no extra learning needed, this procedure can be done by any orthopaedic surgeon without involving any extra cost to the patients.
