Pedicled Double‐Barrel Fibular Transplantation Versus Bone Transport in the Treatment of Upper Tibial Osteomyelitis with Bone Defects: A Retrospective Study

Objective This study aimed to compare the clinical effects of using pedicled double‐barrel fibular transplantation (PDBFT) and bone transport (BT) for the treatment of upper tibial osteomyelitis with bone defects. Methods A total of 83 patients with upper tibial osteomyelitis and bone defects were selected and retrospectively studied in Xi'an Hong Hui Hospital from January 2009 to January 2019. There were 52 males and 31 females, aged 19–72 years. The tibial defect range was 5–12 cm. Patients were divided into two groups, including the PDBFT (40 cases) and the BT group (43 cases). All patients were classified according to Cierny–Mader classification, including 48 cases of type III and 35 cases of type IV. Operation time, blood loss and cure time were compared. Ennecking score was used to evaluate limb functions, including pain, activity function, self‐perception, brace use, walking ability, and gait change, while self‐rating anxiety scale (SAS) was used for postoperative mental and psychological status. In addition, complications were recorded. All patients were followed for at least 2 years. SPSS 23.0 software was used to process data. Results There was no significant difference in demographic data between the two groups (p > 0.05). Operation time was 182.5 ± 22.7 min in PDBFT group vs, 124.2 ± 15.6 min in BT group, respectively (p