Abstract
Introduction We have reviewed the clinical outcome and complications of Monofocal and Bifocal Callotasis for lower limb lengthening in children with Achondroplasia.
Methods Between August 1986 and January 1999, 57 children with Achondroplasia had lower limb lengthening. Monofocal callotasis had been carried out in 147 Segments of 44 children and bifocal callotasis in 38 segments of 17 children. Complications were noted and final outcomes recorded.
Results The 29 children who completed the programme gained an average of 20 cms in height. For all patients, the mean length gained per segment was roughly nine centimetres. Average Bone Healing Index in the mono-focal lengthening group was 39.9 days/cm and in the bifocal lengthening group 33.6 days/cm. Complications were staged and graded and the average was 2.8 complications per lengthened segment. Most were pin-site related and occurred during stage of distraction. Twenty percent of the segments required further axis corrections. Most patients regained their pre-operative range of motion. Serious irreversible complications were seen in only two patients and included a physeal bar and psychological disturbances. Functional outcome analyses are planned.
Conclusions Limb lengthening for short stature due to Achondroplasia can be confidently undertaken with favourable results in most cases. Bifocal lengthening is an alternative technique with quicker consolidation time.
The abstracts were prepared by Mr Jerzy Sikorski. Correspondence should be addressed to him at the Australian Orthopaedic Association, Ground Floor, William Bland Centre, 229 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia.
None of the authors have received any payment or consideration from any source for the conduct of this study.
