A Study of Bone Transport Using a New Callus Bone Distractor

Background: This study was performed to evaluate the results of finger lengthening following traumatic amputation or congenitally short phalanges, metacarpal bones, ormetatarsal bones using a new callus distraction device. The device is simple, light, cheap, reliable, and easy to use. Methods: The study group consisted of ۲۴۶ patients (۱۰۸ females and ۱۳۸ males) who had short bones in their hands or feet. The mean (± SD) age of the patients was ۲۳ ± ۸ years (۴ - ۳۷ years). In the study group, ۶۸.۲% of the patients had previously undergone traumatic amputation of fingers or toes. The mean follow-up time of the patients was ۷ ± ۱.۵ years. Results: The mean metacarpal, phalangeal, and metatarsal length before surgery was ۲۸ mm (۱۹ - ۳۵ mm). The mean lengthening after surgery was ۱۸mm (۱۳ - ۲۹mm; more than ۶۴% lengthening). Themean healing index ratio (HIR) was ۳.۸۸mm/d. No bone grafts were required after bone lengthening. Complications included pin tract infection in ۵ (۲%) cases, scar formation in the dorsum of the finger in ۱۹ (۷.۷%) cases, neuronal damage in ۳ (۱.۲%) cases, reversible joint stiffness in ۲۳ (۹.۳%) cases, and bone malalignment pain in ۲۹ (۱۱.۷%) cases. Conclusions: Callus distraction is an effective and reliable method for lengthening short phalangeal, metacarpal, and metatarsal bones. It also preserves periosteal tissue. Our distractor is reliable, cheap, lightweight, user friendly, and highly effective for callotasis

Keywords:

Distraction Osteogenesis , Small Bone , Hand , Callotasis , Lengthening