Cylindrical Titanium Mesh Cage for the Reconstruction of Long Bone Defects

Segmental defects in long bones remain a formidable treatment challenge. Currently applied treatment modalities for long bone defects include massive cancellous autogenous bone grafting; allogenic cortical grafts; vascularized autogenous cortical bone grafts, and distraction osteogenesis. However, all these modalities possess significant inherent risks and/or limitations. Recently, a new technique utilizing a cylindrical mesh titanium cage in combination with cancellous bone grafting has been developed as an alternative. The initial clinical experience with this technique has been very encouraging. The objectives of this paper are to present the “cage technique” for reconstruction of bone defects, identify the optimal indications, describe the surgical technique, expound on its biological and biomechanical advantages, and present a series of cases that reflect the initial clinical experience with this innovative technique.