Percutaneous bone marrow aspirate transplantation treatment for non-union of long bones fracture

Abstract EN

The search for simple and relatively low morbidity method for repair of bone derives its impetus from the perceived limitations of autologous bone grafting which has been the standard treatment for almost fifty years.

One of these methods is by using autologous bone marrow grafting which is rich in osteoprogenitor cells to enhance the union in case of delay or non-union.

The aim of this study is to estimate the effectiveness of clinical application of the osteogenic marrow in the management of non-union of long bones fracture.

This is a cross sectional study done at Basrah General Hospital, Orthopedic Department, between January 2009 to September 2011 on 24 patients (22 Males and 2 Females) with different types of non-union of long bones (3 humeri, 8 femurs and 13 tibiae).

About 100 ml or more of bone marrow was aspirated from multiple sites of the iliac crest and injected percutaneously at the fracture site in the same session with-out centrifugation.

In 21 out of 24 patients, union had been achieved with success rate of 87.5%.

In three cases union was not achieved, one involving lower third of left tibia (Gustillo 3B), the second one is closed mid shaft tibial fracture and the third case middle third closed fracture of right femur.

It is observed that percutaneous bone marrow grafting was relatively safe, simple, and some time reliable method of treating fracture non-union.

It is a limited invasive technique with minimal complications.

It is cost effective and potentially can avoid major surgical procedures and their morbidity