title: Amputation stump lengthening with the Ilizarov technique. A case report.
abstract: It is often difficult to create a functional stump from a traumatic amputation, especially in a child. A case is described of a traumatic, high, below-knee amputation in a five-year-old child. The resulting stump was too short to allow a conventional below-knee prosthesis, decreasing gait efficiency. The Ilizarov technique was used to increase tibial length. Bony lengthening was very successful, but several problems were encountered with the soft-tissue reconstruction. This technique of stump reconstruction holds promise only if the soft-tissue problems are anticipated. The suggestions for future stump-lengthening procedures are preparatory plastic surgery for skin requirements including infection prevention measures.
authors.affiliation: Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Eldridge
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Krajbich
mesh_terms: D000672:Amputation Stumps / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D000673:Amputation, Traumatic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D001852:Bone Lengthening / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices; D011859:Radiography; D013977:Tibia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery