The cylindrical titanium mesh cage for treatment of a long bone segmental defect: description of a new technique and report of two cases.

This report describes a new technique for treatment of a segmental defect in long bones that uses a cylindrical titanium mesh cage, in combination with cancellous bone allograft and demineralized bone matrix putty (Grafton), stabilized with a statically locked intramedullary nail. Two clinical cases of tibia defects treated with this technique are presented. At the one-year follow-up, radiographically both cases demonstrated excellent limb alignment, stability, and bony healing. Immediate full weight-bearing was initiated in each case, and early limb functional recovery was achieved. Preliminary data suggest that this technique may be a reasonable alternative to currently used methods for management of select long bone segmental defects.