Radiographic Early to Midterm Results of Distraction Osteogenesis in Radial Longitudinal Deficiency

PurposeTo analyze early to midterm radiographic results after forearm lengthening in children with radial longitudinal deficiency.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with radial longitudinal deficiency undergoing distraction osteogenesis with an Ilizarov device. We retrospectively reviewed 8 lengthening procedures in 6 children with respect to distraction details and assessed anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the hand and forearm of the preoperative and postoperative follow-up investigations.ResultsThe mean age at time of ulna lengthening was 9.9 years (range, 6.3–14.0 y). The mean follow-up period was 4.7 years (range, 1.0–8.5 y). Mean lengthening of the ulna was 7.0 cm (range, 3.5–8.7 cm), and the mean length gain of the ulna compared with its preoperative length was 75% (range, 42% to 103%). The mean ulna bowing was 25° preoperatively (range, 7° to 42°), 6° after forearm distraction (range, 0° to 14°), and 17° at latest follow-up (range, 0° to 45°). The mean hand-forearm angle was 25° of radial deviation preoperatively (range, 15° ulnar to 60° radial deviation), 11° of radial deviation after distraction (range, 0° to 41°), and 23° at latest follow-up (range, 0° to 45°). We encountered 2 major complications: 1 ulna fracture after removal of the Ilizarov device and 1 insufficient bone regenerate during lengthening.ConclusionsWe achieved both deformity correction and improvement of limb length after distraction osteogenesis with an Ilizarov device. However, some of the deformity—in particular, ulnar bowing and radial deviation of the hand—recurred at midterm follow-up.Type of study/level of evidenceTherapeutic IV.