title: A simple and light weight external fixator for distraction advancement manoplasty.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With the growing interest in long bone distraction several types of distractors have been introduced; all have the same principle of an outer structure which acts like a scaffold and the distracting mechanism is a separate device which is mounted on this outer structure.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We have used a simple and very light weight external fixator we designed and discuss the results of distraction and advantages of this device .
  
  
  METHODS
  We applied our distractor to treat 14 men and four women, with a mean age of 39 years. There were three thumbs and 23 fingers; 26 digits (18 patients) lengthened by distraction callotasis and second stage bone grafting evaluated accordingly.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients but one were satisfied with the results and a stable pinch and grip was obtained. After lengthening, all patients maintained sensation of the finger pulp, as assessed by the Semes - Weinstein test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The superiority of this device for manoplasty lies in its simplicity of construction in addition to being, lightweight and also eases of application.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Shahram
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nazerani
authors.affiliation: Trauma Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Hosein
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Kalantar Motamedi
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Adel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ebrahimpoor
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Jalal
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vahedian
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Tara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nazerani
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nazerani
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Bardia
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bidarmaghz
keywords: Distraction; External Fixators; Osteogenesis