Effective management of bone fractures with the IlluminOss® photodynamic bone stabilization system: initial clinical experience from the European Union registry

• Main Authors: Thomas Gausepohl, Dietmar Pennig, Steffen Heck, Sascha Gick, Paul A. Vegt, Jon E. Block
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Open Medical Publishing 2017-02-01
• Series: Orthopedic Reviews
• Subjects: Appendicular; Fractures; Long bone; Minimally-invasive; Photodynamic
• Online Access: http://www.pagepress.org/journals/index.php/or/article/view/6988

The IlluminOss^® system (IS) uses a light-curable polymer contained within an inflatable balloon catheter, forming a patient customized intramedullary implant. A registry was established in Germany and The Netherlands to prospectively collect technical and clinical outcomes in patients treated with IS for fractures of the phalange, metacarpal, radius, ulna, distal radius, fibula, clavicle and/or olecranon. Humeral, femoral, tibial and pelvic fractures were included under compassionate use. Procedural success included successful placement of the device at the target fracture site and achievement of fracture stabilization. Clinical and radiographic assessments were made postoperatively through 12 months. One hundred thirty two patients (149 fractures) were enrolled with most fractures (85%) resulting from low-energy trauma. Simple fractures predominated (47%) followed by complex (23%) and wedge (16%) fractures. Procedural success was achieved in all patients and no implants required removal or revision. Normal range of motion was realized in 87% of fractures. Radiographically, there was substantial cortical bridging, total dissolution of the fracture line, and complete fracture healing. Across a variety of fracture types, the IS provides a safe and effective approach for rapid healing and functional recovery.