Infection department is 40

The infection department of the Centre has celebrated 40 years since its foundation. That time, 40 years ago, was the period of the Ilizarov method establishment.

The veterans of the method recall the work was captivating as every step in the improvement of the method and the apparatus was considered risky, and if succeeded, each time it resulted in an important discovery. It was then, 40 years ago, when the surgeons concluded: antibiotics alone cannot beat bone infection. The destructed bone should be removed. But another problem then followed – bone defect.

G.A. Ilizarov was at the head of clinical tests of the techniques for osteomyelitis management. They provided new healthy bone tissue and limb weight-bearing, and have been considered unique in orthopeadics.

Через месяц Брумель нормально ходил, через четыре – поднимал 100-килограммовую штангу, а еще через месяц взял высоту два метра пять сантиметров.

The research of restorative process stimulation and bone defect management was carried out at the laboratory for infection osteology. It made possible to introduce a great number of original techniques that allowed patients return to their previous activities.

It was the at infection division were the Olympic champion Valery Brumel was cured in the 1960s who had developed fistulae and shortening in the fracture site after a car accident. The purulent process was arrested and his limb was lengthened by 3.5 cm.

After a month, Brumel could walk normally, and four months later could lift a 100-kg weight. Following one month more he jumped 2.05 m high.

The surgeons of the infection department have assisted to 8000 people who were severe cases as usually such patients sustain a lot of surgeries and have their last hope at the department.

In September 2009, the infection department welcomed orthopaedic surgeons from Pakistan, Iran and Denmark who came to be trained in the management of bone diseases, fracture complications and bone infection.

To have a victory over bone infection is very difficult, - says the head of training faculty Sergey Shved. There is nowhere in the world where a better way to conquer osteomyelitis has been invented. The infection department has been the most in-demand, annually 200 persons are treated there. Those are not simple patients; they are mostly the ones that had been sentenced to amputations at their local hospitals.

The participants of the course spent two hectic weeks discussing preoperative cases and participating in live surgeries. Each trainee was awarded with a certificate of attendance and mastering the Ilizarov techniques.