RESULTS OF THE WAGNER AND ILIZAROV METHODS OF LIMB-LENGTHENING

We compared the results of the Wagner method of limb-lengthening in tw enty extremities (nineteen patients) with those of the Ilizarov method in twenty-one extremities (eighteen patients). The Wagner external fi xator was used in all twenty procedures in which the Wagner lengthenin g method was performed and in fourteen procedures in which the Ilizaro v lengthening method was performed. The Ilizarov external fixator was used in the remaining seven procedures in which the Ilizarov method wa s performed. The average increase in length was 5.4 centimeters (range , 2.8 to 8.0 centimeters) with the Wagner technique and 5.9 centimeter s (range, 1.0 to 16.8 centimeters) with the Ilizarov technique. The ra te for the lengthening phase was nine days for one centimeter of lengt h with the Wagner technique and twelve days for one centimeter with th e Ilizarov technique. The rate for the consolidation phase was forty-f our days for one centimeter with the Wagner technique and twenty-six d ays for one centimeter with the Ilizarov technique. The group of patie nts who were managed with the Wagner technique had thirty major compli cations, and the group of patients who were managed with the Ilizarov technique had only thirteen major complications. Forty complications w ere associated with the use of the uniaxial Wagner external apparatus and sixteen, with the use of the multiaxial Ilizarov external fixator.