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Limb Lengthening Library

Research summary

Complications of FITBONE and PRECICE Nails: A 314-Nail Multicenter Study (2023)

A retrospective multicenter cohort of 314 FITBONE and PRECICE segments in 257 patients recorded at least one complication in 53% of patients. The mixed-indication cohort was 75% FITBONE and 80% femoral, so it is not a cosmetic PRECICE-only risk estimate.

Topic: complicationsType: reviewYear 2023

In brief

What should readers understand about Complications of FITBONE and PRECICE Nails: A 314-Nail Multicenter Study (2023)?

A large multicenter study tracking 314 internal lengthening nails in 257 patients found that 53% experienced at least one complication.

Limits: This summary explains evidence context and limitations; it is not medical advice.

Evidence
Peer-reviewed evidence
Source set
Peer-reviewed sources
Updated
References
1 listed

Editorial responsibility: Limb Lengthening Library editorial team. Independent medical review is not claimed unless a named reviewer is listed. How sources are reviewed.

Topic: complicationsType: reviewYear: 2023Updated

Study Design

Frost and colleagues retrospectively reviewed 314 lower-limb lengthenings in 257 patients at two hospitals. accounted for 75% of segments, for 26% after rounding, and femoral procedures for 80%. Indications included congenital, acquired or developmental, short stature, and unknown categories. [1]

Main Findings

In a sub-cohort restricted to one randomly selected segment per patient, 53% had at least one complication under the study's classification. Device-related events were the most frequent origin category, followed by joint events. The adjusted model estimated a higher risk for tibial than and for age groups above 30 compared with the 10-to-19 reference group.

The Per-Millimeter Result

The crude model estimated a relative risk of 1.01 per millimeter lengthened. After adjustment for age and etiology, the 95% confidence interval was 0.99 to 1.01. The authors stated that the adjusted analysis provided no evidence that amount lengthened increased complication risk in this dataset. The paper should not be converted into a 1%-per-millimeter calculator.

Limits on Generalization

  • Retrospective records can miss or classify events differently.
  • The cohort was not limited to adult cosmetic .
  • Most implants were and most segments were femoral.
  • A center, implant, and patient-specific risk cannot be read directly from the cohort percentage.

Why the Study Is Valuable

The study used a predefined complication system, reported severity and origin, and highlighted how incomplete or inconsistent reporting can understate burden. Its best use is to improve consent questions and reporting standards, not to provide a single universal rate.

Sources

Verification policy

Informational only. Not medical advice.