[Limb lengthening in children with osteogenesis imperfecta]

The authors operated on 7 children (5 girls, 2 boys) suffering from osteogenesis imperfecta (oi) type I according to Sillence classification, with lower limbs discrepancy. We elongated 10 segments (7 femurs and 3 tibias). Mean age at operation time was 14.7 years (13-17 years). The mean leg length discrepancy was 9.3 cm (4-18 cm), and shortening of one bone was 6.5 cm (4-9 cm). We used Ilizarov technique twice in tibial lengthening. We used Wagner technique in one tibial elongation and in 7 femur elongation. Except for one tibia, in the remaining cases there was Rush rod inserted intramedullary in the bone being elongated. During tibial elongation we fixed lateral malleous by screw. The osteotomy was performed in proximal metaphysis of the 5 femurs and 3 tibias, and in distal femurs in two cases. The elongation was 1 mm for day, with frequency 4 x 1/4 mm. The mean bone lengthening achieved was 5.5 cm (2-9 cm); the mean lengthening of the limb was 7.9 cm (2-18 cm). The mean time of elongation was 2.8 months (2-5 months). Elongation index was 26 days for 1 cm of lengthening. The mean time of fixator removal was 9.2 months (4-13 months). Healing index was 58 day/1 cm (overall number of days for 1 cm lengthening). The complications occurred in all the patients. Although the risk of numerous complication is high, lower limbs lengthening in children with type I osteogeneis imperfecta is possible to perform and allows equalizing discrepant limbs or, at least reducing the difference.