Yonsei Med J.  2003 Jun;44(3):502-507. 10.3349/ymj.2003.44.3.502.

Lower Limb Lengthening in Turner Dwarfism

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 134 Shinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-752, Korea. pedhkim@yumc.yonsei.ac.kr
  • 2Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

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. Twelve tibiae and 2 femora were lengthened in 6 patients using the Ilizarov method for the tibia and a gradual elongation nail for the femur. The mean age at the time of surgery was 19 years, and the patients were followed up for a minimum of 2 years. The average gain in the tibial and femoral length was 6.2 cm and 6.0 cm, respectively. The average healing index of tibia and femur was 1.9 and 1.7 months. The average tibia-to-femur ratio improved from 0.68 preoperatively to 0.81 postoperatively, and leg-trunk ratios improved from 0.88 to 0.99. Seven segments (50.0 percent) had completed the lengthening protocol without complications. Two segments (14.3 percent) had an intractable pin site infection requiring a pin exchange, and four segments (35.7 percent) had twelve complications (a nonunion at the distraction site, premature consolidation, Achilles tendon contractures and planovalgus). The overall rate of complications was 100 percent for each bone lengthened. All the patients showing a nonunion at the distraction site had a reduced bone mass, which was less than 65 percent of those of the age-matched normal population. Despite the complications, all patients were satisfied with the results, and lower limb lengthening in Turner Dwarfism believed to be a valid option. However, it may require careful management in a specialist unit in order to prevent complications during the lengthening procedure. In addition, the osteopenia associated with an estrogen deficiency leading to problems in consolidation is a difficult issue to address.

Keyword

Turner dwarfism; lower limb lengthening

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Child
Dwarfism/*etiology/radiography/*surgery
Human
*Ilizarov Technique/adverse effects
*Leg
Retrospective Studies
Treatment Outcome
Turner Syndrome/*complications
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