[Bone lengthening of the extremities using the Ilizarov method]

We describe the indications and the results in 18 bone lengthenings carried out on 14 patients in our department during the period January 1991 to September 1993. Seven patients had limb length inequality, five patients had dysplasia or aplasia, one patient had Turner's syndrome and one patient had suffered traumatic amputation of all the fingers of one hand. The mean lengthenings achieved were: femur 4.9 cm; tibia 5.6 cm; fibula 1.5 cm; humerus 7.5 cm; ulna 3.5 cm; radius 1.9 cm; and metacarpals 1.6 cm. There were 14 cases of pin-problems which needed surgery. Nine cases of infection around the pin holes were treated with antibiotics only. We had five cases with severe pain due to distraction. We had two cases of fracture after removal of the external fixation. Both fractures healed without further problems, but in one case there was three cm loss of the achieved lengthening. Our conclusion is that the Ilizarov method for bone lengthening is a demanding procedure. Because of the many--often minor--complications the patients must be seen frequently, as one must be prepared for "aggressive" treatment of the problems.