title: Complications of leg lengthening. 46 procedures in 28 patients.
abstract: The results and complications of 46 leg-lengthening procedures in 28 consecutive patients were analyzed retrospectively. There were 24 femoral and 22 tibial lengthenings, performed for short stature (5 patients) and limb-length discrepancy (23 patients). Three methods were used: diaphyseal osteotomy, metaphyseal corticotomy, and distraction physiolysis. In the second group a satisfactory result was obtained more often and a lower complication rate was observed. The overall complication rate was high: 45 substantial problems occurred. We conclude that leg lengthening is difficult, requiring good preoperative examination and planning, and should be carried out only in specialized centers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Utrecht University Hospital, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: F W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Faber
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Keessen
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: van Roermund
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001852:Bone Lengthening / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery*