A new classification and treatment system of limb long bone defects

Objective To establish an efficient classification and treatment system for limb long bone defects. Methods Based on the length of bone defect, soft tissue injury and wound infection, a new classification and treatment system was proposed with reference to Gustilo-Anderson classification for open fractures and Orthopedic Trauma Association (OTA) classification. Results We divided the limb long bone defects into 3 types, each of which was subdivided into 4 subtypes depending on concomitant soft tissue defect and/or infection. Type Ⅰ are bone defects less than 4 cm in length, including type Ⅰa (simple bone defects with a limited extent), type Ⅰb (bone and soft tissue defects), type Ⅰc (bone defects with infection) and type Ⅰd (bone defects with infection and soft tissue defects). Type Ⅱ are bone defects ranging from 4 to 10 cm in length, including type Ⅱa (simple bone defects with a large extent), type Ⅱb (bone and soft tissue defects), type Ⅱc (bone defects with infection) and type Ⅱd (bone defects with infection and soft tissue defects). Type Ⅲ are bone defects larger than 10 cm in length, including type Ⅲa (simple bone defects with a very large extent), type Ⅲb (bone and soft tissue defects), type Ⅲc (bone defects with infection) and type Ⅲd (bone defects with infection and soft tissue defects). Conclusion Our new classification and treatment system for long limb bone defects is more efficient and intuitive, facilitating clinical diagnosis and treatment of limb long bone defects. Key words: Extremities; Bone defects; Classification; Treatment