The Ilizarov technique in the treatment of infected tibial nonunions.

Five patients with infected tibial nonunions and segmental defects were treated with the method of Ilizarov: application of circular small-wire fixator, corticotomy and bone transport to fill the segmental defect. Four of the five patients developed regenerate bone at the corticotomy distraction site. The one failure was related to a previous surgery--reamed locked nailing of the tibia. Three of the four patients with regenerate bone required open reduction and internal fixation at the nonunion site following bone transport. Superficial pin tract infections, broken wires and psychological intolerance of the frame were frequent but minor problems.