title: [Callus distraction in bone defect and leg shortening of femur after osteomyelitis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the efficacy of callus distraction performed by external fixtor in the reconstruction of bone defect and leg shortening of femur after osteomyelitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen child patients with bone defect and leg shortening after ostemomyelitis were treated by callus distraction with external fixator. The mean length of the bone defect was 1.3 cm. The mean leg-length discrepancy was 4.8 cm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients were followed up for 21-82 months. The bone lengthening area grew well, the length of callus distraction was 4.5-8.0 cm, and the mean radiographic consolidation index was 39.7 d/cm. According to the Paley's criteria, the healing effect of 14 cases was excellent, and that of the rest 5 cases was good. The functional recovery of 11 cases was excellent, and that of the rest 8 cases was good.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Callus distraction is a reliable method in the reconstruction of bone defect and leg shortening caused by ostemomyelitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Central South University, Changsha, China.
authors.forename: Tang
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xiangsheng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zhihong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002146:Bony Callus; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003646:Debridement / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur; D006801:Humans; D018889:Ilizarov Technique; D007870:Leg Length Inequality / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome