BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the efficacy of vacuum sealing drainage combined with Ilizarov bone transport technique in the treatment of tibial traumatic osteomyelitis and risk factors for postoperative pin infection.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We enrolled 78 patients with tibial traumatic osteomyelitis admitted at the First People’s Hospital of Kashgar from January 2015 to September 2017 and treated with vacuum sealing drainage combined with Ilizarov bone transport technique.

RESULTS: After combined treatment, SAS and SDS scores decreased significantly, while SF-36 scores increased significantly. Comparisons showed that there were significant differences in the scores of patients after treatment (P<0.05). Univariate analysis showed that there were no significant differences in gender, BMI, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, COPD, smoking index, alcohol abuse history, or residence (P>0.05). There were significant differences in age, fracture type, fixation type, pin loosening, and indwelling time between the 2 groups (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that age, fracture type, fixation type, pin loosening, and indwelling time were independent risk factors for pin infection. Age, fracture type, fixation type, pin loosening, and indwelling time are independent risk factors for pin infection in patients with tibial traumatic osteomyelitis.

CONCLUSIONS: Combination of vacuum sealing drainage with Ilizarov bone transport technique can effectively improve the condition of tibial traumatic osteomyelitis, improve the quality of life of patients, and reduce the occurrence of adverse emotions of patients. Age, fracture type, fixation type, pin loosening, and indwelling time are independent risk factors for pin infection in patients with tibial traumatic osteomyelitis.

Keywords: Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy, Tissue Expansion Devices, Vacuum Extraction, Obstetrical, Drainage, Factor Analysis, Statistical, Ilizarov Technique, Logistic Models, Multivariate Analysis, Needles, osteomyelitis, Tibia, Vacuum, Wounds and Injuries, young adult