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2022, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (3): 468-473Development and application of hexapod external fixator in the treatment of lower limb deformityZhang Xingdong1, Zhang Yonghong2, Wang Dong2
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The number of patients with osteomyelitis, bone defects, and lower extremity deformities due to open fractures of the lower limb has increased significantly, leading to an increasing use of Ilizarov circular external fixators. Although the Ilizarov circular external fixator has achieved good results in the treatment of these conditions, there are still many defects. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the progress of the development and application of hexapod external fixator in the treatment of lower limb deformity. METHODS: Articles from PubMed, CNKI and Wanfang database from february 2001 to february 2021 were retrieved with the key words of “hexapod external frame, taylor spatial frame, ortho-SUV, truelok-Hex” in both English and Chinese. Fifty articles were included, and the application progress of the hexapod external fixator in the treatment of lower limb deformity was reviewed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The application of circular external fixator in the treatment of extremities fracture and limb deformity that are not suitable for internal fixation has achieved positive results, and can be used to pull bone and regenerate soft tissue following the tension-stress rule, curing various diseases that cannot be treated by traditional orthopedic technology. (2) The Ilizarov circular fixator suffers from defects such as long treatment cycle, complex operation and high requirement on physician experience. (3) The main feature of the hexapod external fixator is that it forms a virtual hinge through six adjustable telescopic struts to realize multi-plane deformities and correct simultaneously, and there is no need to replace the hinge during the treatment. With the help of computer software, the accuracy of correction is improved significantly, and the residual rate of malformation is reduced significantly. (4) The hexapod external fixator has been widely used in the treatment of lower limb non-union, bone defect, clubfoot, joint deformity and other diseases, and can significantly reduce the incidence of postoperative complications compared with the Ilizarov circular external fixator. (5) The shortcomings of the hexapod external fixator, such as poor stability, misuses, difficult learning process and high price, make it unable to be further popularized. (6) In the future, it is necessary to improve the prescription software, reduce the influence of human factors, gradually realize intellectualize and informationize hexapod external fixator. Also, it is critical to achieve independent research and development and reduce the cost of use so as to make hexapod external fixator being widely used. Key words:lower limb deformities, hexapod external frame, Ilizarov circular frame, Taylor spatial frame, Ortho-SUV, fracture fixator, deformity correction, Ilizarov method |