LIMB LENGTHENING AND CORRECTION OF DEFORM ITIES OF THE SOFT-TISSUE USING THE ILIZAROV TECHNIQUE

From March 1989 to September 1995 at the Department of Orthopedic Surg ery at the Vienna General Hospital 31 limb-lengthenings or corrections of the soft-tissue (contractions of joints, clubfeet) using the Iliza rov method were performed. 15 patients have already finished growth. A ll complications were analysed according to Paley's classification. Th e tibia-group (n=13) reached an average lengthening of 3.5 cm (2-5.7 c m) [16% (6-35%) of the initial length] with a healing index of 1.7 mo/ cm and a complication rate of 42%. In the femur-group (n = 8) a mean l engthening of 5.4 cm (2.5-9.4 cm) [21% (7-34%) of the initial length] could be achieved with a healing rate of 1.3 mo/cm and a complication rate of 40%. The ulna-group (n = 3) reached an average lengthening of 2.6 cm (2.2-3.4 cm) [21% (17-24%) of the initial length] with a healin g index of 1.4 mo/cm and a complication rate of 17%. The knee contract ure group (n = 2) was free of complications. The Ilizarov technique ha s been performed successfully in a high percentage although extensive elongations reported by Ilizarov could not be achieved neither by us n or by other authors. The above-mentioned method has been proved to be efficient and successful to correct deformities of the soft-tissue.