Ilizarov distraction-lengthening in congenital anomalies of the upper limb

Nine patients underwent Ilizarov distraction-lengthening for congenital anomalies. All were late cases and had undergone other procedures. In five radial club hand patients with very short forearms, we achieved an average 5.8 cm increase in length with each distraction cycle. In two patients with symbrachydactyly of the cleft hand type, we achieved pinch grip between a radial and an ulnar digit by lengthening the short ray. Another case of the monodactyly type in which we tried to lengthen three transplanted proximal toe phalanges ended in failure. A soft tissue distraction was attempted in a case of camptodactyly but failed. We report the problems we encountered and suggest some solutions.