Plating after lengthening (PAL): technical notes and preliminary clinical experiences

• DOI: 10.1007/s00402-007-0442-4
• Publication Date: 2007-09-07T05:34:08Z
• Authors: Mustafa Uysal; Sercan Akpinar; Necip Cesur; Murat Ali Hersekli; Reha N. Tandoğan
• Keywords: Adult; Time Factors; Adolescent; Tibia; Ilizarov Technique; Leg Length Inequality; 03 medical and health sciences; Treatment Outcome; 0302 clinical medicine; Humans; Femur; Bone Plates

Shortening the period of time for the external fixator after limb lengthening decreases the complication rate and increases the patient satisfaction.We describe the plating after lengthening (PAL) as a new technique on five patients with limb length discrepancy (1 femoral, 4 tibial) who had lengthening procedure with Ilizarov technique. The mean amount of lengthening was 50 mm. The mean lengthening period was 100 days (5-135 days). When the lengthening period ended, the locking compression plate was applied percutaneously by using the technique of minimal invasive plate osteosynthesis, and the Ilizarov external fixator was removed.The fixator-free period was achieved at the beginning of the consolidation phase, except in two patients, which were delayed for plating because of pin-tract infection. No complication was encountered except in one patient who had limited flexion of knee joint. There was no need for blood transfusion.The PAL, which shortened the period of time for the external fixator, was an easy and safe method for the fixation of the bone after limb lengthening.