Results of the application of biodegradable gels in the treatment of pseudoarthrosis of the bones of the upper limbs

The aim of the study was to improve the results of treatment of atrophic pseudoarthrosis of the upper limb bones by enhancing the regenerative potential of cancellous bone autograft using collagen hydrogel.Material and method. A prospective, controlled, single-center study of 27 male patients, mean age 29.6 ± 7.5 years, with false joints of the upper limb bones, formed because of surgical treatment for injuries in 18 (76.7%) patients and gunshot wounds in 9 (33 , 3%). Patients underwent external osteosynthesis with a cortical-cancellous bone graft in the study group with the use of collagen hydrogel. Clinical, radiological and CT signs of bone fusion, functional outcome of treatment (testing according to scales) were investigated. Results. Clinical and radiological signs of pseudarthrosis fusion with the use of biogel were statistically signifi antly less than with standard bone autoplastic and amounted to 239.4 ± 55.3 days, in the second group, respectively, 299.74 ± 67.9 days (p = 0.0023). When tested on the DASH and SF-36 scales, there was no statistically signifi ant difference. Conclusion: the use of collagen hydrogel in combination with a cancellous bone autograft improves the results of treatment of atrophic pseudoarthrosis of the upper limb bones, reducing the fusion time by 20% (p = 0.0023) while maintaining the functional outcome of the treatment.