Evidence map›Paper›PMID 36841800›Full record

SynthesisJournal of orthopaedic surgery and research2023

Bifocal versus trifocal bone transport for the management of tibial bone defects caused by fracture-related infection: a meta-analysis.

Kai Liu, Hongyan Zhang, Xiayimaierdan Maimaiti, Aihemaitijiang Yusufu

Abstract readMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
11citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

11 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Cumulative operative burden is associated with poorer function after segmental bone transport for lower-extremity long-bone defects.European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society · 2026
    Article
  3. [Zeta-focal bone lengthening for bone defects after fracture-related infection: a two-case based research].Zhongguo xiu fu chong jian wai ke za zhi = Zhongguo xiufu chongjian waike zazhi = Chinese journal of reparative and reconstructive surgery · 2026
    Article
  4. Article
  5. Review
  6. Article
  7. [Recent advances regarding diagnosis and treatment of fracture-related infection].Zhongguo xiu fu chong jian wai ke za zhi = Zhongguo xiufu chongjian waike zazhi = Chinese journal of reparative and reconstructive surgery · 2025
    Review
  8. Review
  9. Article
  10. Review
  11. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Kai Liu *Department of Trauma and Microreconstructive Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830054, Xinjiang, China.
Hongyan Zhang *The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830054, Xinjiang, China.
Xiayimaierdan MaimaitiDepartment of Trauma and Microreconstructive Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830054, Xinjiang, China.
Aihemaitijiang YusufuDepartment of Trauma and Microreconstructive Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830054, Xinjiang, China. ahmatjang@163.com.

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China No. 82060401
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe purpose of this meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy and outcomes of bifocal bone transport (BFT) and trifocal bone transport (TFT) for the treatment of tibial bone defects caused by fracture-related infection (FRI).

methodsThe literature searches of Cochrane Library, Embase, Google Scholar databases, PubMed/Medline, and Web of Science for literature published up to September 20, 2022, were performed. The quality of the included studies was evaluated according to the MINORS scale. Patients were divided into the BFT group and the TFT group, depending on the site of the osteotomy. The demographic data, defect size (DS), external fixation time (EFT), external fixation index (EFI), bone and functional results, complications, and autologous bone grafting (ABG) were extracted and analyzed using the Review Manager software (version 5.3).

resultsFive studies included 484 patients with tibial bone defects treated by bone transport investigated in this meta-analysis, with a mean bone defect of 9.3 cm. There were statistical differences in DS (MD =  - 2.38, 95% CI - 3.45 to - 1.32, P < 0.0001), EFT (MD = 103.44, 95% CI 60.11 to 146.77, P < 0.00001), and EFI (MD = 26.02, 95% CI 14.38 to 37.65, P < 0.00001) between BFT group and TFT group. There was no statistical difference in bone results (RR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.06, P = 0.67), functional results (RR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.07, P = 0.37), complications (OR = 1.57, 95% CI 0.59 to 4.14, P = 0.36), and ABG (RR = 1.2, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.84, P = 0.42) between two groups.

conclusionsTFT was a feasible and practical method in the treatment of massive tibial bone defects caused by FRI to receive shorter EFT and satisfactory bone and functional results.

Indexed as

Ilizarov TechniqueTibial FracturesExternal FixatorsHumansOsteotomyRetrospective StudiesTibiaTreatment OutcomeBone defectsBone transportComplicationsIlizarov methodInfection

Identifiers

PMID36841800
PMCPMC9968413

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.