Simultaneous bilateral lengthening of femora and tibiae in achondroplastic patients
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the results and complications of simultaneous bilateral femoral and tibial lengthening in achondroplastic patients.
Methods: The study included the 44 femora and 44 tibiae of 22 achondroplastic patients (16 females, 6 males; mean age: 6.36 years, range: 3 to 11 years) that underwent simultaneous lengthening. Orthofix LRS monolateral fixators were used for femoral lengthening and either Ilizarov-type or hexapod-type circular external fixators for tibial lengthening. Tenotomies of the hip flexors and the Achilles tendon were performed to prevent injury to the growth plates and to prevent joint contractures. Results and complications were evaluated according to Paley’s scoring and complication systems.
Results: Average follow-up time was 35 (range: 26 to 76) months. The femora were lengthened by an average of 7.07 cm (46.1%), and the tibiae by an average of 6.64 cm (52.9%). Patients gained an average of 16.9 cm in height, including physiological growth. The mean bone-healing index (BHI) was 31.2 days/cm for the femora (range: 17.4 to 43.3 days/cm) and 34.3 days/cm for the tibiae (range: 19.5 to 60.0 days/cm). Complications included 3 delayed maturations, 3 pin track infections, 5 transient fibular paralyses, 5 regenerate fractures, 1 late varus deformity, 1 knee contracture and 1 knee contracture secondary to knee dislocation. Functional scores were excellent in 78 segments, good in 8, fair in 1 and poor in one. There was no growth inhibition related to the lengthening.
Conclusion: Bilateral simultaneous lengthening of the femora and tibiae in achondroplastic patients provided a reduction in total treatment and external fixation time, with a low rate of complications.
Keywords
References
- Aldegheri R, Trivella G, Renzi-Brivio L, Tessari G, Agos- tini S, Lavini F. Lengthening of the lower limbs in achon- droplastic patients. A comparative study of four tech- niques. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1988;70:69-73.
- Aldegheri R. Distraction osteogenesis for lengthening of the tibia in patients who have limb-length discrepancy or short stature. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1999;81:624-34.
- Aldegheri R, Dall’Oca C. Limb lengthening in short stat- ure patients. J Pediatr Orthop B 2001;10:238-47. CrossRef
- Ganel A, Horoszowski H. Limb lengthening in children with achondroplasia. Differences based on gender. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1996;332:179-83. CrossRef
- Paley D. Problems, obstacles, and complications of limb lengthening by the Ilizarov technique. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1990;250:81-104.
- Yasui N, Kawabata H, Kojimoto H, Ohno H, Matsuda S, Araki N, et al. Lengthening of the lower limbs in patients with achondroplasia and hypochondroplasia. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1997;344:298-306. CrossRef
- Vaidya SV, Song HR, Lee SH, Suh SW, Keny SM, Telang SS. Bifocal tibial corrective osteotomy with lengthening in achondroplasia: an analysis of results and complications. J Pediatr Orthop 2006;26:788-93. CrossRef
- Venkatesh KP, Modi HN, Devmurari K, Yoon JY, Anu- pama BR, Song HR. Femoral lengthening in achondro- plasia: magnitude of lengthening in relation to patterns of callus, stiffness of adjacent joints and fracture. J Bone Joint Surg Br 2009;91:1612-7. CrossRef
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Health Care Administration
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Mehmet Kocaoglu
This is me
Fikri Erkal Bilen
This is me
Goksel Dikmen
This is me
Halil İbrahim Balcı
This is me
Levent Eralp
This is me
Publication Date
April 18, 2014
Submission Date
April 18, 2014
Acceptance Date
-
Published in Issue
Year 2014 Volume: 48 Number: 2