Corrective osteotomy with retrograde Fassier-Duval nail in an osteogenesis imperfecta patient with bilateral genu valgum

RATIONALE The treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) requires a multidisciplinary approach to maximize function and reduce fracture incidence. The aim of this case report was to discuss an alternative surgical approach to stabilize a corrective osteotomy using the Fassier Duval (FD) system in an OI patient. PATIENT CONCERNS A 20-year-old OI woman presented with left thigh pain, gait disturbance, and bilateral genu valgus deformities. DIAGNOSES Physical examination and standing radiographs revealed bilateral genu valgum with previous fixation implants in the femoral and the left tibia. INTERVENTIONS Staged surgery was performed. A previous Ender pin was removed from the left femur, and a FD nail was inserted in a retrograde fashion. An intercondylar fracture was encountered while inserting the female rod in the distal left femur. After removal of a previous Rush pin from the right femur, several complications were also encountered during FD nailing of the right femur. The tip threads of the FD male nail could not achieve adequate anchorage in the region of the greater trochanter. To prevent male nail dropping, a horizontal stop Kirschner pin was inserted close to the distal end of the female nail. OUTCOME Despite perioperative problems such as rod dropping and occurrence of an intercondylar fracture of the left distal femur, bilateral retrograde nailing using the FD system was successful. An accurate entry portal is important when performing retrograde rodding. In addition, reaming the portal to a larger diameter in order to accommodate the large head of the female nail can prevent intraoperative intercondylar split, especially when combined with an osteotomy at the distal femur. LESSONS Selection of the proper surgical technique is dependent on both the surgeon's experience and the condition of the patient. Although not an optimal device, a FD nail can be used as an IM nail for corrective osteotomy at the distal femur in an adult OI patient with a small femoral IM canal.