title: [Extendible replacement of the distal femur in the treatment of osteosarcoma in growing individuals].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the possibility of using extendible distal femoral replacements in the treatment of osteosarcoma in growing individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  From December 1999 to March 2003, 3 cases (2 were type II B, 1 was type II A) with osteosarcoma were treated by extendible distal femoral replacements. Of the 3 cases, 2 underwent prosthesis extention operation, 1 was not operated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After the removal of tumor, the extremities of 2 patients were shortened by 4 to 5 cm within 2 to 3 years. After the lengthening procedure, the affected extremities were of equal length to the unaffected extremities and no drag symptoms of blood vessel and nerves were observed. Follow-up was done for 2 months to 3 years. There was no aseptic loosening. The function of joints was fairly good.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Extendible distal femoral replacements is an easy, convenient, and effective way to treat osteosarcoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bone Tumor, 307th Hospital of PLA, Beijing, 100039, P. R. China. 307yygk@sina.com
authors.forename: Dingfeng
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Qiu
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Haitao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001186:Artificial Limbs; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005266:Femoral Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D023821:Limb Salvage / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000601:surgery*; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D016896:Treatment Outcome