Abstract
The induced membrane technique has been widely used for the reconstruction of the
segmental bone defect. The technique requires two-stage surgery. The first surgery
is debridement of the affected bone and replacement of the defect by cement spacer.
The spacer is removed at the second surgery, and the defect is filled with cancellous
bone. The use of the technique for septic wrist arthritis treatment has not been reported.
We report two cases of septic wrist arthritis treated by the induced membrane technique.
Radical debridement including the carpal bones was performed as a first surgery. The
cement spacer was placed into the bone defect after first surgery; then cancellous
bone was transplanted into the induced membrane several weeks later. External fixator
or plate fixation was performed simultaneously. Bone formation was observed in both
cases at several months after the reconstruction surgery. There was no pain or recurrence
of infection in both cases. We consider this technique is a possible method for reconstruction,
especially in a difficult case.
Keywords
septic arthritis - bone defect - reconstruction - induced membrane