Predictive factors for docking site procedure in bone transport for large lower extremity segmental defects

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Limb reconstruction surgery

Background:

• Segmental bone transport is a common treatment for large bone defects.
• Docking site procedures are frequently required but lack established prognostic factors.
• Current decisions rely on surgeon experience, leading to variability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify prognostic factors predicting the necessity of a docking site operation in segmental bone transport.
• To provide objective criteria for surgical decision-making.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing segmental bone transport for lower extremity defects.
• Statistical modeling including logistic regression, linear regression, and ANOVA.
• Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was employed.

Main Results:

• Twenty-seven patients (age 12-74) with mean defect size of 76.39 mm were analyzed.
• The duration of bone transport (in days) was a significant predictor (p=0.049).
• No other factors demonstrated statistical significance.

Conclusions:

• A significant association exists between the duration of segmental bone transport and the need for a docking site operation.
• A transport duration exceeding approximately 188 days suggests consideration for docking surgery.