Abstract
The purpose of this study is to analyse three different lengthening techniques used in 31 small bones for congenital malformations of the hand and foot: 15 metacarpals, 12 metatarsals, 1 foot stump and 3 spaces between a previously transplanted phalanx end of the carpus or the metacarpal. Progressive lengthening with an external fixator device was performed in 23 cases: the callus distraction (callotasis) technique was used in 15 cases, whereas in the other 8 cases the speed of lengthening was faster and the defect bridged with a bone graft as a second stage. In another eight cases, a one-stage lengthening was performed. In the callotasis group, the total length gained ranged from 9 mm to 30 mm and the percentage of lengthening obtained (compared with the initial bone length) averaged 53.4%; in the fast lengthening group, the length gained ranged from 8 mm to 15 mm, and the average percentage of lengthening was 53.1%; and in the one-stage group, the length gained ranged from 7 mm to 15 mm, and the average percentage of lengthening was 43%. The overall complication rate was 22.5%.
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