Limb lengthening in automatic mode.
Background. More than 5000 lengthening procedures in the upper and lower limb bones were performed at the Russian Ilizarov Scientific Centre, including 406 segments that were lengthened in automatic mode. Distraction was continuous, 24 hours a day, at a rate of 1 mm over 60 operating cycles of the autodistractor. Material and methods. Lengthening in automatic mode was used in 171 patients between the ages of 5 and 43. Monosegmental and polysegmental osteosynthesis techniques were applied. The amount of lengthening ranged from 3 to 16 cm. The mean value of lengthening by the monosegmental type of osteosynthesis was 6.1 +/- 2.0 cm, and by polysegmental techniques, 7.2 +/- 1.5 cm. The distraction forces developed in the autodistractor were also measured. In order to develop an objective opinion about the advantages of automatic distraction, we calculated the fixation index in the apparatus for one centimeter of lengthening. Results and conclusions. The fixation index was only 5-6 days/cm when using automatic distraction, but came to 22-24 days/cm by manual adjustment of lengthening. The biochemical study of bone metabolism during lengthening showed expressed activity of blood enzymes, such as alkaline and acid phosphatases, as well as large amounts of minerals in the distraction osteogenesis area.
Russian Ilizarov Scientific Centre for Restorative Taumatology and Orthopaedics General Director: V. I. Shevstov.
Vladimir Ivanovich
VI
Shetsov
Arnold Vasilyevich
AV
Popkov