Ilizarov

Ilizarov apparatus is a type of external fixation used in orthopedic surgery to lengthen or reshape limb bones; to treat complex and/or open bone fractures; and in cases of infected nonunions of bones that are not amenable with other techniques. It is named after the orthopedic surgeon Gavriil Abramovich Ilizarov from the Soviet Union, who pioneered the technique.

History

The Ilizarov apparatus is named after Gavriil Ilizarov, who pioneered the technique in the 1950s in the Soviet Union. Ilizarov's work was unknown in the West until the 1980s, when it was introduced to Italy and then to the rest of Western Europe and the United States.

Design

The Ilizarov apparatus is a type of external fixation device that is attached to the bone with thin metal wires. The device consists of metal rings that are connected by threaded rods. The rings are attached to the bone via the wires, and the rods are adjusted to gradually pull the bone apart, allowing new bone to form in the gap.

Uses

The Ilizarov apparatus is used in orthopedic surgery for a variety of purposes. It can be used to lengthen or reshape limb bones, to treat complex and/or open bone fractures, and in cases of infected nonunions of bones that are not amenable with other techniques.

Procedure

The procedure to apply the Ilizarov apparatus is performed under anesthesia. The surgeon makes small incisions in the skin and drills thin wires into the bone. The wires are then attached to the metal rings of the apparatus, and the rings are connected with threaded rods. The rods are adjusted over time to gradually pull the bone apart, allowing new bone to form in the gap.

Complications

Possible complications of using the Ilizarov apparatus include infection at the wire sites, nerve damage, and joint stiffness. However, these complications are generally rare and can be managed with appropriate care.

See also

• Orthopedic surgery
• Bone fracture
• External fixation

Ilizarov Resources
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