Abstract
We report the experience of leg lengthening by callotasis with Orthofix fixator for 11 femoral and 4 tibial bone segments in 13 patients.
Five patients were male and eight female, ranging in age from 11 to 21 (mean, 14.3±2.7 years). Leg length discrepancy before surgery ranged from 2.3 to 9.0cm (mean, 4.5±2.1cm). The amount of lengthening achieved 2.5 to 8.7cm (mean, 3.8±1.4cm). The healing index ranged from 27.2 to 85.9days/cm (mean, 48.2±15.5days/cm).
Thirty-four complications occurred in 15 lengthening procedures. Serious complications included 5 fractures following removal of the fixator, one pin-tract infection with osteolysis necessitating fixator removal, one subluxation of the hip, and 4 delayed consolidations. All fractures healed by surgical or conservative methods. One case of hip subluxation was reduced by varus osteotomy of the femur. All delayed consolidations showed good bone formation with pulsing electromagnetic fields. Leg lengthening by callotasis was conchiaded to be a satisfactory procedure for treating patients with leg length discrepancy.
