Femoral lengthening using ilizarov ring fixator and slotted plate

Background: Femoral lengthening is generally considered a cumbersome procedure due to the long fixator duration and complexity of the surgery. Lengthening over nail and lengthening over plate (LOP) have solved most of the problems but are associated with the risk of deep infection and plate prominence, respectively. We report a series of 14 cases with the use of a slotted plate to minimize both the problems. Materials and Methods: The study includes 14 patients, 8 females and 6 males, including four children. The average age of patients was 17.8 years, ranging from 7 years to 30 years. Femoral lengthening was performed with Ilizarov external fixator and slotted plate. Results: The target length ranged from 3 cm to 7 cm with an average of 4.6 cm. External fixator duration achieved ranged from 42 days to 92 days with a mean external fixator duration of 61.5 days. The mean external fixator index was 13.3 days/cm. We had no incidence of plate prominence or deep infection. We had four cases of knee stiffness, of which one needed surgery. All the patients had good quality regenerate and consolidation. Conclusion: The use of a slotted plate for LOP in femoral lengthening is a useful technique to minimize the incidence of plate prominence associated with LOP.