title: Correction of juxtaarticular deformities in children using the Ilizarov apparatus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Deformity correction using external fixation was performed for various disorders in children. We reviewed 18 children who underwent juxtaarticular deformity correction using the Ilizarov apparatus with either a transverse or focal dome osteotomy. The amount of deformity correction, external fixation time, external fixation index, length gained, and incidence of complications were examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  A series of 27 operations were performed in lower limb segments on 10 femurs and 17 tibias in 10 boys and 8 girls. The mean age at operation was 12 years (5-18 years). Deformity corrections were performed using a transverse osteotomy in 16 segments and a focal dome osteotomy in 11.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average deformity corrected was 19 degrees (6 degrees-31 degrees). Acute correction was done in 14 segments and gradual correction in 13 segments. The mean lengthening was 4.2 cm in 12 segments (2-8 cm). The mean external fixation time was 161 days (78-352 days). In acute corrections, the external fixation time with a focal dome osteotomy (101 days) tended to be shorter than with a transverse osteotomy (142 days).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Accurate limb alignment was obtained for all cases. A focal dome osteotomy by maximizing the area of bony contact was more effective than a transverse osteotomy for acute deformity correction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, Japan.
authors.forename: Keisuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sakurakichi
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tsuchiya
authors.forename: Tamon
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kabata
authors.forename: Teruhisa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamashiro
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Katsuro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tomita
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D001864:Bone Wires; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016916:Joint Deformities, Acquired / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods*; D000072042:Salter-Harris Fractures