Hyalonect in the treatment of pseudarthrosis

• Published in: Acta orthopaedica et traumatologica turcica Vol. 47; no. 6; pp. 379 - 386
• Main Authors: Tekin, Ali Cağri, Esenyel, Cem Zeki, Cakar, Murat, Esenyel, Meltem, Ozcan, Yusuf, Saygili, Mehmet Selçuk
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Turkey 2013
• Subjects: Adult; Allografts; Female; Femur - surgery; Follow-Up Studies; Fracture Fixation, Internal - methods; Fracture Healing; Humans; Humerus - surgery; Hyaluronic Acid - administration & dosage; Hyaluronic Acid - adverse effects; Hyaluronic Acid - analogs & derivatives; Hyaluronic Acid - therapeutic use; Male; Middle Aged; Pseudarthrosis - surgery; Radial Nerve - injuries; Range of Motion, Articular; Reoperation; Risk Factors; Surgical Mesh; Tibia - surgery; Treatment Outcome; Viscosupplements - administration & dosage; Viscosupplements - adverse effects; Viscosupplements - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 1017-995X
• DOI: 10.3944/AOTT.2013.2875

The aim of this study was to evaluate union rates and complications of Hyalonect, a knitted mesh composed of HYAFF, a benzyl ester of hyaluronic acid, and a naturally occurring constituent of the extracellular matrix, for the treatment of pseudarthrosis.
The study included 11 patients (8 male, 3 female; mean age: 44.6 years; range: 23 to 57 years) operated for pseudarthrosis using Hyalonect. Average time between initial treatment and surgical procedure was 12.9 (range: 8 to 48) months. Pseudarthrosis of the tibia, femur and humerus was present in 4, 2 and 5 patients, respectively. All patients had undergone prior surgery (1 to 6 times). Each patient underwent open reduction and internal fixation. Allograft was applied to the pseudarthrosis area and covered with Hyalonect. Mean follow up period was 31 (range: 12 to 48) months.
Union was achieved in all patients after an average of 6 (range: 4 to 8) months. One patient had a discharge for two weeks. Another developed an infection which responded well to appropriate antibiotic treatment. No malunion or implant failure was observed. One patient with pre-existing radial nerve palsy maintained the condition.
Use of Hyalonect appears to be a safe method with a positive impact on union in the surgical treatment of pseudarthrosis, particularly in the absence of any infection.