Lengthening Nails for Distraction Osteogenesis: A Review of Current Practice and Presentation of Extended Indications

Treatment of Large Femoral and Tibial Bone Defects With Plate-Assisted Bone Segment Transport

OBJECTIVES

The purposes of this study were to assess clinical and radiographic outcomes following plate-assisted bone segment transport (PABST) in large bone defects of the lower extremities.

METHODS

DESIGN

Retrospective study of prospectively collected data.

SETTING

Level-1 trauma center located in Germany.

PATIENT SELECTION CRITERIA

Patients who underwent PABST and were at least 1 year postoperatively were included.

OUTCOME MEASURES AND COMPARISONS

Demographic data were collected. Radiographic apparent bone gap (RABG), time to consolidation, time to full weight-bearing, and consolidation index were calculated. Numeric rating scale, lower extremity functional scale (LEFS), and complications were assessed.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients [13 male; mean age 51 years (range, 20-75)] underwent PABST and had follow-up at a mean of 29.1 months. The tibia was affected in 8 and the femur in 7 patients. Preoperative RABG was 60 mm [interquartile range (IQR): 40-125], and bone defects were caused by septic nonunions in 73% of patients. Fourteen patients (93%) demonstrated consolidated transport callus at 7.3 months [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 6-8.5], and 9 patients (60%) demonstrated complete consolidation of both docking site and transport callus at 11.5 months (95% CI, 7.3-15.3). Postoperative RABG was 0.1 mm (IQR: 0-0.8), and consolidation index was 1.9 months/cm (95% CI, 1.3-2.5). All patients achieved full weight-bearing at 8.7 months (IQR: 6.5-10.3). LEFS was 42 (95% CI, 34-50), and numeric rating scale was 3 (95% CI, 2-4). Patients treated for tibial defects had a significantly higher consolidation rate compared with patients treated for femoral defects ( P = 0.040).

CONCLUSIONS

PABST demonstrated high consolidation of transport callus with few complications. Although full weight-bearing was achieved in all patients, complete consolidation of the docking site was only present in 60% of cases.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

First Clinical Case of Ilizarov Femur Lengthening over a Bioactive and Degradable Intramedullary Implant

Introduction

The Ilizarov distraction osteogenesis is a recognized method of limb lengthening in orthopaedic practice. Its most challenging problems are long duration of external fixation and related pin-tract infection and joint contractures. The solution might be the use of a bioactive degradable intramedullary implant stimulating bone healing. Case Presentation. We present a case of a 14-year-old boy with 6 cm posttraumatic shortening of the femur and associated varus deformity of 20 degrees. He was treated with the Ilizarov technique of femur lengthening over an intramedullary degradable polycaprolactone (PCL) implant with hydroxyapatite (HA) filling. We faced no complications within the lengthening process. Shortening and deformity of the femur were corrected in 90 days. The index of external fixation was 15 days/cm. External fixation time was reduced almost twice comparing to the conventional method. Degradable intramedullary nails ensured the advantage of avoidance of the removal procedure. Radiography and CT confirmed faster new bone healing and remodeling.

Conclusion

The combined lengthening technique over a PCL/HA implant might be used to shorten external fixation time and to stimulate bone healing especially in patients with compromised bone. Using a bioabsorbable material presents the benefit of eliminating the need for a second surgery to remove the nail, thereby reducing soft tissue damage.

Tibial Bone Transport With a Single Implant All-Internal Bone Transport Nail

SUMMARY

A single implant all-internal magnet-driven bone transport nail (BTN-NuVasive Specialized Orthopaedics Inc) has recently been introduced as a treatment method for segmental tibial bone defects. This innovation provides promise in the management of segmental bone defects because it negates numerous complications associated with circular external fixation and the need for multiple implants when considering hybrid plate-assisted bone segment transport constructs. Given the novelty of the BTN, description of the surgical application and patient outcome measures are scarce in the current literature. To date, we have treated 4 patients with an average age of 27 years (range 19-44 years) using the BTN for segmental tibial defects ranging from 50 to 128 mm. We have accumulated data over an average follow-up of 18.07 months (range 12.96-25.13 months), demonstrating good patient tolerance of the device. Three patients successfully completed their treatment course with a calculated average bone healing index of 41.4 days/cm (range 31.41-54.82 days/cm). One patient was noted to experience an asymptomatic docking site nonunion requiring subsequent surgery for nonunion repair. Implant-associated complications included symptomatic implant, axial malalignment, docking site nonunion, and external remote control technical malfunction. Injury-related complications were encountered and noted to include: superficial infection, wound dehiscence, peroneal tendonitis, and joint rigidity. In this study, the authors present a case series using this implant to date and discuss our experiences with the BTN with reference to clinical indications, tibial bone preparation, BTN implantation, transport protocol, docking site procedure, and clinical/radiographic outcomes.

[Plate-assisted bone segment transport for bone defects of the lower extremities : Possibilities and limitations of treatment]

Large bone defects of the lower extremities are challenging for both patients and the treating orthopedic surgeons. The treatment is determined by the size and location of the defect; however, patient-specific factors, such as the soft tissue situation and the presence of systemic comorbidities must be taken into consideration in the treatment strategy. Osteodistraction is an excellent technique especially for large bone defects exceeding 3 cm; however, it is time-consuming and required external fixation prior to the development of motorized distraction nails. This article describes the procedure for the treatment of large bone defects of the lower extremities, with its possibilities and limitations, using the novel plate-assisted bone segment transport (PABST) procedure.

Trends and Practices in Limb Lengthening: An 11-year US Database Study

Aim

Over the past couple of decades, limb lengthening has evolved to encompass various implants and techniques. The purpose of this study was to (1) determine trends in the utilisation of various limb lengthening techniques for the femur and tibia in the United States, (2) determine trends in 1-year readmission rate following limb lengthening procedures and (3) to study the relationship of limb lengthening implant used and payment method used with the underlying diagnosis associated with limb shortening.

Materials and methods

Inpatient data were acquired using the Healthcare Cost and Utilisation Project (HCUP) database from 2005 to 2015 from seven states in the United States. Patients with an International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 code for limb lengthening of the femur or tibia were included. A total of 2,563 patients were included. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and chi-square test was used for comparison of subcategories. Linear regression analysis was used to examine trends over time.

Results

There was a strong linear trend towards increasing proportional use of internal lengthening of the femur from 2011 to 2015 (R2 = 0.99) with an increase of 10.2% per year. A similar trend towards increasing proportional use of internal lengthening of the tibia was seen from 2011 to 2015 (R2 = 0.87) with an increase of 4.9% per year. There was a moderate correlation showing a decrease in readmission rate of 1.07% per year from 2005 to 2015 (R2 = 0.55). Patients with short stature had increased use of internal lengthening and self-payment compared to patients with congenital, post-traumatic or other diagnoses.

Conclusion

There was increasing use of internal lengthening techniques from 2011 to 2015. Patients with short stature had higher use of internal lengthening technique and self-pay for payment method.

Clinical significance

Intramedullary devices have seen increasing use for limb lengthening procedures. Lengthening technique and payment method may differ by underlying diagnosis.

How to cite this article

Mittal A, Allahabadi S, Jayaram R, et al. Trends and Practices in Limb Lengthening: An 11-year US Database Study. Strategies Trauma Limb Reconstr 2023;18(1):21-31.

An Update on the Intramedullary Implant in Limb Lengthening: A Quinquennial Review Part 2: Extending Surgical Indications and Further Innovation

The use of the intramedullary lengthening nail has gained in popularity over the last decade. The reduction in complications associated with the use of external fixators and excellent patient outcomes has resulted in the largest change in management of limb length discrepancy since the concept of distraction osteogenesis was accepted by the Western world in the 1980s. Success following "simple" limb lengthening has led to surgeons extending the indications for the lengthening nail, including different bone segments, lengthening associated with potential joint instability and lengthening combined with acute deformity correction. There has been a drive for further implant modification to reduce complications, and enable full weight bearing during the lengthening process. This would offer the opportunity to consider simultaneous limb lengthening. The aim of this review is to evaluate the literature published over the last five years and highlight important learning points and technical tips for these expanding indications.

Treatment of a tibial bone defect with a motorized intramedullary bone transport nail: A case review with 32 months follow up

Nowadays, massive segmental bone defects represent a surgical challenge for trauma surgeons. Most of these injuries appear in the context of high-energy trauma, not only significantly affecting the bones, but also involving severe injuries of the adjacent soft tissues. For these reasons, their treatment requires complex reconstruction surgeries.

There are multiple techniques to treat bone defects, bone transport being one of the most widely used. Historically, external fixators (monolateral and circular) have been and still are the gold standard for performing this technique, although they are not exempt from complications. By means of specific intramedullary nails for bone transport, it is possible to minimize the complications of external fixation, allowing large tibial bone defects to be treated through distraction osteogenesis (all-internal system), which is favoured by early weight bearing.

Management of femoral non-union with post-traumatic bone defect using second-generation PRECICE® nail - A case report

The management of post-traumatic bone defects with non-union remains a surgical challenge. Current techniques are often fraught with complications, posing a functional, economical, and psychological challenge for the patient. A 57 year-old gentlemen suffered an open femoral fracture after a motorcycle accident. Having previously undergone open reduction internal fixation, he presented to us with atrophic non-union and bone defects, which were simultaneously treated with a second-generation PRECICE nail. Our treatment protocol was based on the strain theory, and involved initial distraction by ~5 mm at the non-union site, compression of the non-union site, followed by distraction osteogenesis at the non-union site. The patient achieved union and the initially planned limb lengthening regime was achieved with minimal complications. Self-lengthening, magnetically-driven PRECICE nails can successfully restore union and manage limb length discrepancies with reasonable patient satisfaction and minimal complications.

[Progress of remote-control intramedullary lengthening nail and its clinical treatment concept]

Ilizarov's technology is an internationally recognized clinical treatment method for limb orthopedics, but there are many complications related to external fixation. With the development and progress of the times, the remote-control intramedullary lengthening nails had risen to prominence on the international stage as the second generation of orthomelic technology based on Ilizarov's technology. Since the first remote-control intramedullary lengthening nail appeared in the 1980s, after more than 40 years of development, there are currently more than 3 types of extension mechanisms in remote-control intramedullary lengthening nails and a mature and stable clinical treatment model has been formed during the past long-term clinical treatment and experiments, such as the End-Point-First (EPF) program proposed by Professor Peter H. Thaller in Germany. Compared with Ilizarov's technology, the remote-control intramedullary lengthening nail has obvious advantages in convenience, comfort, risk of infection, soft tissue injury, postoperative pain, and controllability of limb lengthening. This article mainly introduces the development and clinical treatment concept of remote-control intramedullary lengthening nail and the latest clinical treatment status of limb lengthening therapy abroad, hoping to provide new cognition and ideas for the further development of limb orthopedics in China.