ReviewInduced membrane technique: Advances in the management of bone defects

•Induced membrane technique has initiated the new era for management of bone defects.•Remarkable advances have been made in radical debridement, placement of cement spacer, limb stabilization, and bone grafting.•Seeking ideal spacer material and graft substitutes, and improvement of fixation method will be the focus of future research.

Management of bone defects caused by trauma, osteomyelitis, and tumors is challenging, with many controversies over the optimal reconstruction method. Masquelet discovered induced membrane in management of large diaphyseal defects accidentally, and developed this technique with a concept of induced membrane. Induced membrane technique holds great potential for the reconstruction of bone defects, alternatively to manage this clinical challenge quiet easily. Induced membrane has unique structural characteristics and biological properties, which render this technique has an advantage of the time to bone healing is relatively independent of the length of bone defect. Herein, we reviewed the latest advances made in induced membrane technique and highlighted the concept of induced membrane in the management of bone defects.