Complications of Distraction Lengthening in the Hand

This study examined the features of 16 complications from 51 distraction lengthenings in the hands of 43 patients.

From 1996 to 2006, 24 metacarpals and 27 phalanges were lengthened at a rate of 0.5 and 0.25 mm/day, respectively, using a callus distraction technique. The indications were congenital (33 cases in 27 patients) and traumatic (18 cases in 16 patients) deformities. The average percentage lengthening in the phalanges and metacarpals was 62% (16 mm) and 63% (34 mm), respectively. The distraction rates in the phalanges and metacarpals were 69 and 52 days/cm, respectively.

The overall complication rate was 31%. Major complications requiring secondary procedures were non-union (one case), fracture (one case), premature union (one case), angulations (two cases) and dislodgment of pins (two cases). The minor complications encountered were delayed callus formation (four cases), joint stiffness (four cases) and soft tissue thinning (one case). Traumatic deformities had more complications than the congenital ones (nine of 18 cases and seven of 33 cases, respectively). The phalanges had a higher rate of complication than the metacarpals (11 of 27 cases and four of 24 cases, respectively). Most patients with complications except for two children with dislodgment were as satisfied with the final results as those without complications.

Although callus distraction in the hand requires a long treatment period and has a relatively high rate of complication, it appears to be effective in achieving adequate bone length. A high level of patient compliance and prompt management of complications by an experienced surgeon are essential for achieving good results.