AKU Ilizarov Course

Outline of Scientific Programme

Background and aim of the Course:

The orthopaedic division at AKU is a dynamic and academic service committed to undergraduate and postgraduate training in orthopaedics. We conduct regular postgraduate courses and seminars for our postgraduate trainees as part of the continuing medical education program.

Neglected trauma, non-unions and mal-united crooked bones are common outpatient scenarios in any busy outpatient orthopaedic clinic. Besides we also get regular cases of infected fractures and osteomyelitis. These difficult problems are quite well manageable by the innovative techniques of Ilizarov surgery.

G. Ilizarov was a Russian surgeon who developed this technique, whereby a circular external fixator is applied to the concerned bone and the deformity is corrected gradually. It is also a very useful tool for limb lengthening. Patients suffering from poliomyelitis develop soft tissue contractures, deformities and shortening. They benefit a lot from this minimally invasive technique.

There is a lot of potential of Ilizarov technique in the treatment of common orthopaedic problems. Most of the orthopaedic surgeons in the country are unaware of this technique and manage these problems in the ‘conventional’ way which is fraught with complications and poor outcomes.

Two of the orthopaedic surgeons at AKUH have recently gained expertise in Ilizarov techniques abroad. This technique has an immense patient potential for our general population and we want to train our postgraduate residents in this technique. A rigorous five day course is being developed and proposed with the collaboration of Russian surgeons to be conducted early next year.

The course will concentrate primarily on improving the understanding of the basic procedures that an orthopedic trainee has to perform.  Recent advances in Ilizarov techniques will also be discussed.

Topics will be taught in three main ways.  Comprehensive lectures will concentrate on the understanding of core material, emphasizing the scientific rationale for the advocated treatment.  Practical sessions will teach the application of Ilizarov principles to common diaphyseal and articular fractures on real size, artificial bone models, using Ilizarov instruments and implants. Thirdly, live surgery sessions by experts will help understand the practical concepts. 

At the end of the course it is hoped that the participants will have gained sound understanding of   the principles relevant to the management of musculo-skeletal trauma and deformity.

The course faculty is drawn from Ilizarov trained National and International Surgeons experienced in its management of trauma.

Objectives

  1. Spread the Ilizarov message of distraction osteogenesis to our postgraduates.
  2. Develop an understanding of the various indications and contraindications of this technique.
  3. Understand the basic principles of application of the apparatus and its various components.
  4. Develop skills of application of a basic Ilizarov frame for fracture reduction.
  5. Develop skills of frame application for deformity correction and limb lengthening.