Safe Cosmetic Leg Lengthening for Short Stature: Long-term Outcomes

It is well known that limb lengthening is performed to treat limb-length discrepancies resulting from congenital anomalies and developmental problems. However, few studies discuss lengthening for cosmetic purposes. The current authors conducted a prospective study with long-term follow-up. From July 2002 through June 2007, 133 patients requested that their height be increased. Fifty-two were approved to undergo limb-lengthening surgery. Two were lost to final follow-up, leaving 50 in the study group. For all patients, the Ilizarov ring external fixator was applied with a maximum-stability technique that achieved frame stability and allowed patients to ambulate with a walker from the first week postoperatively. The method requires close follow-up for early detection of problems. Physiotherapy improved ankle function and prevented plantar flexion deformity, which can occur during lengthening. Excellent final outcomes were achieved in all patients except one, who required additional surgery. The Ilizarov device is a safe tool for limb lengthening in individuals of short stature when applied with the authors' maximum stability technique. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first article on this topic to report long-term results (minimum 5-year follow-up for all patients). Many factors influence the outcome of lengthening surgery performed with Ilizarov devices: the material of the rings, the use of a hybrid technique combining pins and wires, the diameter and number of pins over each bone segment, the size of the rings around the limb, the surgical technique for pin insertion, and the use of hydroxyapatite-coated pins or regular stainless pins.