On June 19, 2025, a Scientific and Practical Conference titled
“Advantages and Disadvantages of Plate and Extrafocal Osteosynthesis in Diaphyseal Fractures of Long Bones”
was held in a hybrid format (offline and online) at the premises of Meref’yanska Central District Hospital, with the participation of nearly 100 attendees.

The conference was opened by the Head of the Kharkiv Regional Branch of the Ukrainian Association of Orthopaedists and Traumatologists (UAOT), Professor Volodymyr Akymovych Filipenko, who noted that this was not the first time the UAOT branch had gathered at Meref’yanska Hospital, although the last meeting took place six years ago. Professor Filipenko shared his impressions of the high standards of the hospital’s operation, its modern renovations and equipment, and emphasized that when a facility has proper leadership, the work progresses as it should. He welcomed all participants, both online and offline, and gave the floor to Dr. Viktor Mykhailovych Cheverda, General Director of the hospital, orthopaedic traumatologist, professor of the Department of Surgery No.2 at Kharkiv National Medical University, and PhD in Medicine.

Dr. Cheverda expressed his gratitude to the scientists, managers, and doctors who accepted the invitation and made time, despite martial law, to participate in the conference, as well as to all co-organisers. The hospital provides 24/7 medical services, has a capacity of 240 beds, and serves as a clinical base for Kharkiv National Medical University and Kharkiv International Medical University, where 3rd–5th year students acquire practical skills. It also serves as an internship base for multiple specialties. Dr. Cheverda stressed the importance of holding such scientific and practical events and wished all participants fruitful cooperation, the expansion of scientific perspectives, and new ideas in orthopaedics and traumatology.

On behalf of Professor Stanislav Yevhenovych Bondarenko, DMSc, Director of the Sytenko Institute of Spine and Joint Pathology NAMS of Ukraine,
Professor Volodymyr Oleksiiovych Tankut conveyed warm greetings and presented Dr. Cheverda with “intellectual souvenirs” — books and more.

During the scientific session, the first presentation was delivered by Professor Oleksii Korniliiovych Popsuishapka, who addressed the issues of nonunion following internal osteosynthesis of diaphyseal fractures of the femur, tibia, humerus, and forearm. His presentation focused on:

Frequency of nonunion and the importance of informing patients about this risk;

Literature data on complication likelihood;

Distribution of force vectors during axial loading of the studied bones;

Clinical analysis of:

900 patients evaluated by medical boards (nonunion/osteomyelitis) over 3 years;

74 patients treated at Sytenko Institute, Chuhuiv Hospital, and Kharkiv Regional Clinical Trauma Hospital from 2010–2025;

Specific clinical cases using external fixation (EF) for bone healing.

Dr. Viktor Mykhailovych Cheverda gave a presentation on orthopaedic and trauma care at Meref’yanska Hospital during wartime (15 trauma beds). He outlined department activities, equipment, and the work of the rehabilitation unit (20 beds, opened June 2024), as well as the palliative care unit (inpatient and mobile). He concluded: “Movement is life. By restoring movement, we give people back their joy of life.”

Dr. Kostyantyn Kostyantynovych Romanenko discussed whether the four core AO principles (formulated in 1958) are still applicable in the treatment of combat-related limb injuries. He focused on the “Diamond Concept” of fracture healing, combining mechanical and biological factors, and illustrated through clinical cases how AO principles can be effectively applied in battlefield conditions involving high-energy injuries with soft tissue trauma and contamination. His conclusion: AO principles remain valid but must be adapted to the specific trauma context.

Professor Valerii Oleksandrovych Lytvyshko shared insights gained from his mentors and treatment methods that shaped his approach, aiming for lower complication rates. He presented treatment results of 282 patients, including 99 with gunshot fractures, at Chuhuiv Central District Hospital from 2022 to 2024. His clinical cases showed that external fixation with preserved functional loading of the limb achieved the best outcomes in treating diaphyseal long bone fractures.

Dr. Petro Vitaliiovych Nikitin, a leading orthopaedic traumatologist from the Central Clinical Hospital of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, discussed current global trends in treating combat-related fractures. His report covered multidisciplinary, staged, and personalised approaches with seven key treatment directions:

The tactical doctrine of Damage Control Orthopaedics (DCO);

Early aggressive wound debridement;
…and more. A clinical case illustrated successful recovery: a 27-year-old soldier presented on day 5 post-injury with external fixation on the right leg and left leg amputation. After 2.5 years, the patient recovered, got married, and became a father.

Dr. Yurii Viktorovych Klapchuk, head of the trauma clinic at the Northern Region Military Medical Clinical Centre (NR MMCC), presented criteria for conversion in limb trauma management. He defined the term, reviewed legal and procedural guidelines, outlined a conversion assessment scale, indications and contraindications, alternative treatments for bone defects, and shared clinical examples. Key conclusions:

Internal fixation is possible after decontamination, stabilisation, and wound closure;

Optimal conversion period: 7–14 days post-injury;

Adhering to NATO, BOA, JTS protocols, and conversion scales increases success;

Some cases require individualised decision-making based on context and patient condition.

After the official programme, discussions continued informally during a field lunch in nature.