Is immediate internal fixation safe in induced membrane technique?

This study aimed to evaluate the treatment outcomes of patients treated with induced membrane technique (IMT) for the reconstruction of bone defects and to identify factors associated with the success and failure of the modified technique. Between January 2016 and April 2021, a total of 23 adult patients (20 males, 3 females; median age: 39.9 years; range, 20 to 69 years) who underwent bone reconstruction using the IMT for established pseudoarthrosis and acute bone loss were retrospectively analyzed. Fracture type, the size and location of bone defect, the nature of the index injury, the type of fixation, the interval between stages of the operation, and any diagnosis of infection or other complications of the patients were assessed. The median bone union was achieved in 6.6 (range, 4 to 11) months. The median index of reconstruction was 19 (range, 10 to 30%). The main complications were recurrent infection in two cases and nonunion in one case. Massive graft resorption occurred in two cases. Immediate internal fixation is a reliable and effective method in the treatment of complex bone defects. A large volume of autograft is required for the reconstruction of long defects, which presents as a limiting factor, particularly in patients undergoing previous surgical interventions.