Technique for bone lengthening & transport

Linear frame image

1. Bone lengthening: take the plastic pipe simulating the bone.

Linear frame image

2. Construct a frame like the following one. Connect the proximal 3/4 ring and the distal ring to the bone, leaving the middle ring free. Be sure you have enough bar length left for distraction on the distal side of the frame.

Linear frame image

3. Perform the osteotomy in the desired position for lengthening.

Linear frame image

4. Apply distraction lengthening the threaded bars, acting on the nuts on the distal ring.

Linear frame image

5. Check you achieve the distraction; note that the exceeding bars' length has been used for this, and the overall frame length increased.

Linear frame image

6. To start with bone transport: connect the middle ring to the bone, and perform an osteotomy distal to it, to obtain a bone cylinder for transport.

Linear frame image

7. Apply distraction between the distal and middle rings, acting on the nuts on the middle ring.

Linear frame image

8. Perform the transport until you reach the proximal bone stump. Note that that the overall frame length stays the same.

Linear frame image

9. Perform compression at the docking site, if needed.