Surgical Fixation Method in Lower Extremity Intercalary Allograft Reconstruction After Oncologic Resection: A Comparison of Plates and Nails

Abstract

Introduction: Fixation in intercalary allograft reconstruction includes plates and intramedullary nails. The purpose of this study was to examine rates of nonunion, fracture, the overall need for revision surgery, and allograft survival based on the surgical fixation method in lower extremity intercalary allografts. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on 51 patients with intercalary allograft reconstruction in the lower extremity. Fixation methods compared were intramedullary fixation with nails (IMN) and extramedullary fixation with plates (EMP). Complications compared were nonunion, fracture, and wound complications. The alpha was set at 0.05 for statistical analysis. Results: Nonunion incidence at all allograft-to-native bone junction sites was 21% (IMN) and 25% (EMP) (P = 0.8). Fracture incidence was 24% (IMN) and 32% (EMP) (P = 0.75). Median fracture-free allograft survival was 7.9 years (IMN) and 3.2 years (EMP) (P = 0.04). Infection was seen in 18% (IMN) and 12% (EMP) (P = 0.7). The overall need for revision surgery was 59% (IMN) and 71% (EMP) (P = 0.53). Allograft survival at the final follow-up was 82% (IMN) and 65% (EMP) (P = 0.33). When the EMP group was subdivided into single plate (SP) and multiple plate (MP) groups and compared with the IMN groups, fracture rates were 24% (IMN), 8% (SP), and 48% (MP) (P = 0.04). Rates of revision surgery were 59% (IMN), 46% (SP), and 86% (MP) (P = 0.04). Allograft survival at the final follow-up was 88% (IMN), 92% (SP), and 52% (MP) (P = 0.05). Discussion: Median fracture-free allograft survival was notably longer for the IMN group than the EMP group; otherwise, there were no notable differences between the intramedullary and extramedullary groups. When the EMP group was subdivided into the SP and MP groups, patients with MPs had higher rates of fracture, higher rates of revision surgery, and lower overall allograft survival. Level of Evidence: III, Therapeutic Study, Retrospective Comparative Study.