Bone Lengthening in Congenital Hand Conditions

Bone lengthening for congenital differences of the hands and digits in children

“…Principally the callotasis method was used for lengthening and 21 metacarpals and phalanges were lengthened using this method. 10,11 We lengthened a few digits that were shorter than 10 mm when we believed that the bone lengthening could be effective for improving the hand function. In the lengthening of such small bones the fixation apparatus was placed across the interphalangeal or metacarpophalangeal joints, and the K-wire was placed longitudinally through the bone and extended beyond the end of the digit (Fig.…”

“…9 We previously have reported these techniques and the results of lengthening for congenital differences of the hands. 10 Seven different diseases have been treated by using the bone lengthening technique in our clinics; the diagnoses are hypoplastic thumb, hypoplasia of the small finger, cleft hand, metacarpal synostosis, brachymetacarpia, symbrachydactyly, and amniotic band syndrome. The initial age at the surgery was different for each disease.…”

Application of C-Shaped Osteotomy and Distraction Osteogenesis for Correction of Radial Angulation Deformities of the Hand in Children With Apert Syndrome

“…The optimum timing of surgical intervention is still controversial. 19 In previous studies, for certain indications, it is proposed that distraction may be planned when the child is older than 10 years. Although there is risk for interruption of growth potential, in symbrachydactyly cases, distraction may be performed at early ages for the patient to gain pulp-to-pulp pinching and have a functioning hand.…”

“…18 Currently, studies concerning the correction of symbrachydactyly and radial angulation related to Apert syndrome using distraction osteogenesis are limited. 19,[22][23][24] When the long-term follow-up results of growth rates, correction of angulation, and gain of index-tothumb pinch are taken into consideration, the procedure seems to be promising. To the best of our knowledge, this study is a pioneer work to introduce an alternative C-shaped osteotomy for correction of length deficit and radial angulation in symbrachydactyly patients.…”