title: Bilateral humeral lengthening in achondroplasia with unilateral external fixators: is it safe and does it improve daily life?
abstract: A retrospective study was performed in 18 patients with achondroplasia, who underwent bilateral humeral lengthening between 2001 and 2013, using monorail external fixators. The mean age was ten years (six to 15) and the mean follow-up was 40 months (12 to 104). The mean disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score fell from 32.3 (20 to 40) pre-operatively to 9.4 (6 to 14) post-operatively (p = 0.037). A mean lengthening of 60% (40% to 95%) was required to reach the goal of independent perineal hygiene. One patient developed early consolidation, and fractures occurred in the regenerate bone of four humeri in three patients. There were three transient radial nerve palsies. Humeral lengthening increases the independence of people with achondroplasia and is not just a cosmetic procedure.
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University Istanbul Medical Faculty, Capa/Fatih, 34690, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: H I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Balci
authors.affiliation: Istanbul Memorial Hospital, Piyalepasa Bulvari Okmeydani 34385, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kocaoglu
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University Istanbul Medical Faculty, Capa/Fatih, 34690, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sen
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University Istanbul Medical Faculty, Capa/Fatih, 34690, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Eralp
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University Istanbul Medical Faculty, Capa/Fatih, 34690, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Batibay
authors.affiliation: Bezmialem University, Fatih, 34690 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bilsel
mesh_terms: D000130:Achondroplasia / Q000601:surgery*; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Humerus; achondroplasia; lengthening; unilateral external fixator