Staged lengthening in the prevention of dwarfism in achondroplastic children: a preliminary report.
We present our experience, since 1983, in lower-limb lengthening for the treatment of achondroplasic dwarfism. We stress the importance of our method, staged lengthening, which includes two separate operations on the tibia, at the ages of 5 and 10, and two on the femurs, at the ages of 6 and 12. This method allows an overall increase in height varying from 30 to 35 cm and has the advantage of minimizing complications, since children tolerate the lengthening-related problems far better. In 9 years 28 children have undergone limb lengthening, and six of these patients have now completed the first three stages, obtaining a total increase in length from 18 to 23 cm. We discuss the staged lengthening program, pointing out advantages and disadvantages of the method.
Peretti
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Second Orthopaedic Clinic, University of Milan, Italy.
Memeo
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Paronzini
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Marzorati
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D000130:Achondroplasia / Q000601:surgery*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001852:Bone Lengthening / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery*