title: Digital ray reconstruction through distraction osteogenesis: a retrospective study of 82 rays with long-term follow-up.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to present the long-term radiographic results with distraction osteogenesis in traumatic or congenital length discrepancies of long bones of the hand.
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records and radiographs of 65 consecutive patients (27 metacarpals and 55 phalanges) with either traumatic or congenital digital length discrepancies were retrospectively reviewed. The mean follow-up was 8.2 years. The mean distraction period was 21 days with a distraction rate of 4×0.25mm/day. Callus consolidation was obtained in all patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The bones were lengthened by a mean amount of 17.5mm, with a mean increase in bone length of 68±17.3%. The mean healing index was 28.57 days/cm. Ray reconstruction with callus distraction can be applied effectively in skeletally immature or mature patients with congenital differences of the hand or amputated fingers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A distraction rate of 1mm/day proved to be a safe rate of lengthening in both metacarpals and phalanges.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Marios
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vekris
authors.affiliation: University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece. Electronic address: mariolyk@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Marios
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lykissas
authors.affiliation: University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Emilios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pakos
authors.affiliation: University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gelalis
authors.affiliation: University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Anastasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Korompilias
authors.affiliation: University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Panayotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Soucacos
authors.affiliation: University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Alexandros
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beris
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D050278:Finger Phalanges / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006228:Hand Deformities, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D050279:Metacarpal Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Digital length discrepancy; Distraction osteogenesis; Healing index; Metacarpal lengthening; Phalangeal lengthening