TREATMENT OF LIMB LENGTH DISCREPANCY USING THE ILIZAROV METHOD

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TREATMENT OF LIMB LENGTH DISCREPANCY USING THE
ILIZAROV METHOD

• Gereis V., Papandreou N., Pasparakis D.,
  Agorastidis N., Pistevos G.
• B Orthopaedic Department,
• P. A. Kyriakou
• Hospital for Children,
• Athens, Greece

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Materials and Methods

• Period 1986-2002
• 142 children with LLD
• Mean age 12.7 years (4-20)
• 79 girls, 63 boys
• Ilizarov frame, distraction histogenesis
• Follow up 3-13 years (mean 6.7 years)

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Aetiology of LLD
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Results

• Length gained 6-13cm (mean 9.6cm)
• Axis correctionvery good results
• Limb length equalisation very good results

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Tibial Hemimelia
? 1 year old
? 3,5 years old, pre-op
? 5 years old, post-op
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Complications

• Majority (64) were mild (Paley classification)
• Vast majority (85) of complications occured in
  congenital LLD
• Complication rate decreases with increasing
  experience of the team

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Conclusions

• The Ilizarov method is a reliable method for the
  treatment of LLD
• Advantage of simultaneously correcting length,
  axial and rotational deformities
• High complication rate
• Often, multiple operations needed

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CONCLUSIONS

• Needs a specially trained and highly skilled
  medical team
• Patient and family need to be highly motivated
  and actively involved in the management