title: Long bone reconstruction using multilevel lengthening of bone defect fragments.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper presents experimental findings to substantiate the use of multilevel bone fragment lengthening for managing extensive long bone defects caused by diverse aetiologies and shows its clinical introduction which could provide a solution for the problem of reducing the total treatment time.
  
  
  METHODS
  Both experimental and clinical multilevel lengthening to bridge bone defect gaps was performed with the use of the Ilizarov method only.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The experimental findings and clinical outcomes showed that multilevel defect fragment lengthening could provide sufficient bone formation and reduction of the total osteosynthesis time in one stage as compared to traditional Ilizarov bone transport. The method of multilevel regeneration enabled management of critical-size defects that measured on average 13.5 ± 0.7 cm in 78 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The experimental and clinical results proved the efficiency of the Ilizarov non-free multilevel bone plasty that can be recommended for practical use.
authors.affiliation: Russian Ilizarov Scientific Center for Restorative Traumatology and Orthopaedics, 6, M. Ulianova Street, Kurgan, 640014, Russian Federation. borzunov@bk.ru
authors.forename: Dmitry Y
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Borzunov
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001852:Bone Lengthening / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D004285:Dogs; D005269:Femur / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D005542:Forearm / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D018889:Ilizarov Technique; D008875:Middle Aged; D023421:Models, Animal; D013977:Tibia / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult