[Advance on the bone transport distraction osteogenesis for the treatment of bone defects].

Segmental bone defects are very severe in open fractures of the lower extremity. Traditional treatment requires skeletal stabilization, usually by external fixation, followed by free tissue transfer for soft tissue coverage, and vascularized or nonvascularized bone grafting for the skeletal defect. The bone transport distraction osteogenesis is a new method for treating bone defects. The range of bone loss for which bone transport is indicated 3 to 12 cm. The method required only small bone grafts to stimulate healing at the bone defect site, whereas patients in the conventionally treated group needed a larger volume of cancellous bone graft. Donor site morbidity was less in the method, and no free-tissue transfers were required. Disadvantages of the method was a complex, time-consuming reconstruction. In the appropriately selected patient, when the surgeon is experienced in the technique, treatment by bone transport distraction osteogenesis offers unique advantages for certain cases of the bone defect.