Largest case-series show encouraging results but also high complication rates with internal bone transport nails
Current trends are towards replacing cumbersome external fixators with internal bone transport devices for treating segmental bone defects. However, so far no studies have investigated the complications with this new technique.
In this article, we followed 15 patients to a minimum of 6 months after nail removal. 9 of 10 femoral cases and 4 of 5 tibial cases healed with the bone transport nail. All 15 patients had a healed docking site and regenerate at the end of treatment. 24 complications (15 device related and 9 non-device related) occurred in 11 out of 15 patients.
Segmental bone defects can heal with a bone transport nail. However, optimizing nail design is needed to reduce complications in intramedullary bone transport.