Abstract
Limb lengthening over a percutaneous plate can be used during pediatric distraction osteogenesis to decrease the time of external fixation. A retrospective, consecutive 2-surgeon experience of pediatric femoral and tibial lengthenings with a plate-assisted lengthening (PAL) technique was performed. The plate was placed at the time of index corticotomy. The primary outcome measures of external fixation index, consolidation index, and complications were assessed for each lengthening. From 2005 to 2012, 38 lengthenings (23 femur, 15 tibia) in 30 patients were performed by a PAL technique. All patients experienced successful distraction and consolidation. The average achieved lengthening was 3.80±0.98 cm (range, 2.2 to 6.4) with an average consolidation index of 27 days/cm and a mean external fixation index of 13.1±4.29 days/cm (range, 7.8 to 30). Patients returned to full weight-bearing activity after an average of 98.3±28.5 days. There were an average of 1.08±1.05 total complications and 0.39±0.75 severe complications per lengthening. Complications were encountered most commonly during femoral lengthening, including procurvatum and varus deformity through the regenerate. These deformities were usually corrected by frame adjustment before removal. PAL is a safe technique that minimizes time of external fixation, accelerates rehabilitation and weight-bearing, and can be successfully used on the femur or tibia. The most common complications are angular deformities of the regenerate that can be treated with adjustment before or at the time of plate locking. Level IV-retrospective case series.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.