Complications of the Bailey-Dubow elongating nail in osteogenesis imperfecta 34 children with 110 nails

The Bailey-Dubow nail, inserted in the femur or tibia of 34 children with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), was studied retrospectively. Comparing the various groups of OI, no significant difference was found. Location of the nail (tibia or femur) did not influence the complication rate significantly. The reoperation rate was 29%, a rate comparable to that reported in earlier studies. The part of the nail located around the knee had a significantly higher migration rate (P = 0.005 at obturator ends and P = 0.007 at sleeve ends). Migration of the nail was the reason to reoperate in 50% of the patients. Better anchoring of the T-piece will substantially decrease the complication rate. In consideration of the different functional capacities of the OI population, the complications are likely related more to the hardware than to the patient.