title: [Good results but many complications in unilateral leg lengthening techniques].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Assessment of the results and complications of limb lengthenings according to Wagner and De Bastiani.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective.
  
  
  METHODS
  University Hospital Groningen, the Netherlands.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 1978 and 1993, 10 Wagner and 23 De Bastiani limb lengthenings were performed on 16 patients with leg length discrepancy and 3 patients with short stature. The lengthening procedures were assessed for mean lengthening, healing index (treatment days per centimeter of lengthening) and complications. The residual length discrepancy was measured indirectly. Total gain in body height was measured in the short stature patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For the Wagner upper leg procedures the mean lengthening was 40 mm and the healing index 81 days/cm. For the lower leg these were 37 mm and 81 days/cm respectively, for the Bastiani lengthenings because of length discrepancy the figures were 70 mm and 46 days/cm (upper leg) and 53 mm and 52 days/cm (lower leg), and for short stature 74 mm and 46 days/cm (upper leg) and 57 mm and 55 days/cm (lower leg). There were 37 complications. Lengthening in 6 Wagner and 3 De Bastiani procedures was interrupted because of several of these complications. In 9 patients with length discrepancy the final result was satisfactory, 3 patients were not yet fully grown. Four patients had a residual length discrepancy of 2.5 to 3.5 cm. The short stature patients gained an average of 13.1 cm in height.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Limb lengthenings are accompanied by many complications and patients should be monitored intensively, but the results are usually good.
authors.affiliation: Academisch Ziekenhuis, afd. Orthopedie, Groningen.
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: van Cappelle
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Visser
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001827:Body Height; D001852:Bone Lengthening / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000601:surgery; D005360:Fibula / Q000601:surgery; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007870:Leg Length Inequality / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery
vernacular_title: Goede resultaten, maar veel complicaties bij unilaterale beenverlengingstechnieken.