a study of bone transport using a new callus bone distractor

conclusions callus distraction is an effective and reliable method for lengthening short phalangeal, metacarpal, and metatarsal bones. it also preserves periosteal tissue. our distractor is reliable, cheap, lightweight, user friendly, and highly effective for callotasis. background this study was performed to evaluate the results of finger lengthening following traumatic amputation or congenitally short phalanges, metacarpal bones, or metatarsal bones using a new callus distraction device. the device is simple, light, cheap, reliable, and easy to use. methods the study group consisted of 246 patients (108 females and 138 males) who had short bones in their hands or feet. the mean (± sd) age of the patients was 23 ± 8 years (4 - 37 years). in the study group, 68.2% of the patients had previously undergone traumatic amputation of fingers or toes. the mean follow-up time of the patients was 7 ± 1.5 years. results the mean metacarpal, phalangeal, and metatarsal length before surgery was 28 mm (19 - 35 mm). the mean lengthening after surgery was 18 mm (13 - 29 mm; more than 64% lengthening). the mean healing index ratio (hir) was 3.88 mm/d. no bone grafts were required after bone lengthening. complications included pin tract infection in 5 (2%) cases, scar formation in the dorsum of the finger in 19 (7.7%) cases, neuronal damage in 3 (1.2%) cases, reversible joint stiffness in 23 (9.3%) cases, and bone malalignment pain in 29 (11.7%) cases.