Surgical lengthening of the humerus: case report and review

This article reviews 12 cases of humeral lengthening accomplished by transverse midshaft osteotomy and gradual distraction by an external fixator attached to two half pins in the proximal and two half pins in the distal humeral fragments. Six cases were treated by second-stage (application plate, screws, and bone graft with removal of apparatus) and third-stage (removal of plate and screws) procedures. In the other six cases, the external apparatus was allowed to remain in place until the humerus united. There were few complications. There were no nonunions, delayed unions, malunions, or late fractures.