Lower Limb Lengthening in Turner Dwarfism

Hahn, Soo Bong; Kim, Ju Young; Park, Hui Wan; Kim, Hyun Woo

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to review our cases of lower limb lengthening to treat Turner dwarfism, and to speculate whether or not effective limb lengthening can be achieved in this rare condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 12 tibiae and 2 femora were lengthened in 6 patients using the Ilizarov method for tibia and a gradual elongation nail for the femur. Mean age at the time of surgery was 19 years. RESULTS: The average gain in tibial and femoral lengths were 6.2 cm and 6.0 cm, respectively. The average healing indices of tibia and femur were 1.9 and 1.7 months. The average tibia-to-femur ratio improved from 0.68 to 0.81 and leg-trunk ratios improved from 0.88 to 0.99. Two segment (14.3%) had intractable pin site infection, and four segments (35.7%) had twelve complications. The patients showing a nonunion at the distraction site had a reduced bone mass, which was less than 65% of that of the age-matched normal population. CONCLUSION: Despite complications, all patients were satisfied with this results, and lower limb lengthening in Turner Dwarfism is believed to be a valid option. However, it may require careful managment in a specialist unit in order to prevent complications.