Secondary Intramedullary Nailing for the Treatment of Complications after Bone Lengthening

A. X. Papadopoulos; A. Karabasi; A. Panagopoulos; A. Karageorgos; M. Papas; E. Lambiris

doi:10.1055/s-2004-822826

Osteosynthesis and Trauma Care, Table of Contents

Osteosynthesis and Trauma Care 2004; 12(3): 145-150
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-822826

Original Article

Secondary Intramedullary Nailing for the Treatment of Complications after Bone Lengthening

A. X. Papadopoulos¹ , A. Karabasi¹ , A. Panagopoulos¹ , A. Karageorgos¹ , M. Papas¹ , E. Lambiris¹

¹Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Patras University, Patras University Medical Center, Rio-Patras, Greece

Abstract

Thirty patients (33 cases) underwent a secondary intramedullary nailing during the consolidation phase after callus distraction with an external device. Docking site non-union (17 patients), angular deformity or fracture of the lengthened area (8 patients) and intolerance of the external device (5 patients), in combination or not with a delayed distracted callus maturation, were the main indications for this replacement. The femur was involved in 13 cases and the tibia in 20. One-stage intramedullary nailing conversion was done in 25 cases and a delayed procedure in 8 cases. The average follow-up period was 4 years (2-12 years). Deep infection was presented in one case (3.03 %) and slight callus length loss in 5 cases (15.2 %). Failure of union at the docking site and breakage of the nail was noted in 1 case (3.03 %). In the rest of the patients, solid union was achieved in the lengthened callus area as well as at the docking site, in an average period of 5.9 months after the modification. All patients were quite satisfied as their functional improvement was rapidly accelerated. The use of intramedullary nailing during the consolidation phase after callus distraction is a treatment option for delayed callus maturation or docking site non-union, thus reducing the prolonged use of the external fixator.

Key words

Secondary intramedullary nailing - distraction osteogenesis - bone lengthening

Full Text

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Andreas X. Papadopoulos

Orthopaedic Department of Patras University Hospital

Papanikolaou st. 1

26504 Rio-Patras

Greece

Phone: +30/26 10-9 99-5 55

Fax: +30/26 10-9 94-5 79

Email: E-mail: paprod@hotmail.com