title: Metatarsal lengthening by callotasis in adults with first brachymetatarsia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Brachymetatarsia is a rare clinical entity that presents a challenging problem for surgeons. One-stage lengthening with an autologous bone graft has been preferred for metatarsals that require a limited lengthening. With a gradual lengthening of metatarsals, callus distraction (callotasis) can achieve a greater length gain and a concomitant lengthening of the soft tissue. This article presents results of callotasis for adults with first brachymetatarsia.
  
  
  METHODS
  The outcomes of nine cases of first brachymetatarsia in five adult patients who underwent metatarsal lengthening by callotasis between March 1999 and February 2005 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average length gain was 16.4 mm and the average lengthening percentage was 43.7%. In addition, the average healing index was calculated as 3.8 months/cm, which was higher than that reported previously in the fourth brachymetatarsia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was concluded that the period of bony consolidation following callotasis is longer in the first brachymetatarsia than in the fourth brachymetatarsia. Presumably, this might be because of the anatomically larger osteotomized cut surface and its weight-bearing function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Good Moonhwa Hospital APRSC, Busan, Republic of Korea. sominhwang@naver.com
authors.forename: So-Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Jennifer Kim
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Hui-Taek
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002146:Bony Callus; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008682:Metatarsal Bones / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014034:Toes / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult