[Distraction as a stimulus of bone formation]

In orthopaedics limb length discrepancy and bone lost from infection are more frequent and difficult to resolve at the moment G. Ilizarov showed new bone formation with slow distraction stimulation in a well vascularization an rigidly fixed bone. Good patient selection, surgical technique, complete post-operative care and patient collaboration are necessary to get excellent or good results. This paper involves 50 patients, 39 with limb lengthening and 11 with infection and bone loss. We obtained excellent and good results in 37 cases of lengthening and 10 in the second one. At the moment the complications with external fixators may be used and we advised their use.