Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40000990›Full record

ArticleBMC musculoskeletal disorders2025

Analysis of functional outcomes and complications of tibial bone defects treated with Ilizarov bone transport technique.

Yaxin Zhang, Jidong Wang, Baoliang Jiao, Dongwei Feng, Zhaowei Li

Abstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing 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

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

  1. Pooled it
  2. [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
  3. [Clinical advances in Ilizarov technique for foot and ankle trauma].Zhongguo xiu fu chong jian wai ke za zhi = Zhongguo xiufu chongjian waike zazhi = Chinese journal of reparative and reconstructive surgery · 2025
    Review
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

5 authors.

Yaxin Zhang *Department of International Medical Services, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhang Jiakou, Hebei, China.
Jidong Wang *Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital, Xining, Qinghai, China.
Baoliang JiaoDepartment of Pain, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhang Jiakou, Hebei, China.
Dongwei FengDepartment of Pain, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhang Jiakou, Hebei, China. 790301192@qq.com.
Zhaowei LiDepartment of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital, Xining, Qinghai, China. lzw6230777@163.com.

Funding

Medical Science Research Program Project of Hebei City 20250896
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundTrifocal bone transport (TF) rather than bifocal bone transport (BF) can shorten the treatment time when treating of large bone defect in tibia. However, few studies have reported efficacy and complications among different bone transport.

aimTo evaluate the effectiveness and complications of bone transport technique for the treatment of large bone defect in tibia.

methodsThe retrospective study including 48 patients who underwent bone transport for the treatment of large bone defect in tibia from May 2015 to September 2019. A total of 30 were treated by bifocal bone transport (BF group) and 18 by trifocal bone transport (TF group). Patient demographic data, intraoperative outcomes, postoperative variables, complications and clinical outcomes of the two groups were recorded and compared at a minimum follow-up of 24 months. Postoperative complications were also evaluated according to Paley classification. Based on the Association for the Study and Application of Methods of Ilizarov (ASAMI) standard, the bone and functional results were evaluated at the last clinical follow-up.

resultsAll patients with an average follow-up of 27.5 months. All patients achieved complete union in the docking site and consolidation in the regenerate bone. Compared to the BF group, the TF group had a longer bone defect length(9.08 ± 1.74 > 6.33 ± 3.15, P < 0.01) but a shorter external fixation index (42.22 ± 2.41 < 65.82 ± 6.98, P < 0.001). The mean number of complications per patient was 1.6 and 1.7 for BF and TF patients (P > 0.05). At the postoperative follow-up, there were no significant differences between the 2 groups in the bone and functional results (P > 0.05).

conclusionFor tibial bone defects, both bifocal and trifocal bone transport can achieve good clinical results. Compared to the bifocal bone transport, The trifocal bone transport can significantly shorten the external fixation index without increasing the incidence of associated complications.

Indexed as

Ilizarov TechniquePostoperative ComplicationsTibiaAdultFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHumansMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesTreatment OutcomeBone transportComplicationExternal fixationIlizarovSegmental bone lossTibia

Identifiers

PMID40000990
PMCPMC11854418

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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.