The role of external fixation in paediatric limb lengthening and deformity correction

•A literature review of external fixators in the use of limb lengthening and deformity correction in paediatric orthopaedics.•Highlighting change in philosophy and frame biomechanics, listing common complications and risks involved.•An historical account, plus up to date advances in hexapod fixators...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Injury 2019-06, Vol.50, p.S18-S23
Main Authors: Calder, Peter R., Faimali, Martina, Goodier, W. David
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bone Diseases, Developmental - history
Bone Diseases, Developmental - surgery
Bone Lengthening - history
Bone Lengthening - instrumentation
Bone Lengthening - methods
Child
External fixator
External Fixators
Hexapod fixator
History, 20th Century
History, 21st Century
Humans
Ilizarov
Ilizarov Technique
Leg Length Inequality - history
Leg Length Inequality - surgery
Lengthening
Lower Extremity Deformities, Congenital - history
Lower Extremity Deformities, Congenital - surgery
Monolateral
Osteotomy
Paediatric deformity
Treatment Outcome
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:•A literature review of external fixators in the use of limb lengthening and deformity correction in paediatric orthopaedics.•Highlighting change in philosophy and frame biomechanics, listing common complications and risks involved.•An historical account, plus up to date advances in hexapod fixators are discussed. Limb deformity and shortening remains a common presenting complaint in paediatric orthopaedics. The ability to restore length, alignment with consistent bone formation allows standardised treatment in these difficult conditions. The use of an external fixator produces a stable construct which allows manipulation of the bone segments, with a controlled rate and rhythm. Deformity analysis permits the surgeon to plan osteotomy levels and frame application to produce accurate correction. Complications, especially in congenital conditions remain an issue and modification of the treatment is required to try and reduce their incidence. New types of fixators, the latest being hexapod frames, have increased the versatility in deformity correction. The aim of this paper is to review the use of external fixators in elective paediatric orthopaedics and highlight the latest changes in technique and application for the limb reconstruction surgeon.
ISSN:0020-1383
1879-0267
DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2019.03.049