Limb Lengthening and Its Complications

The limb lengthening surgery using the cylindrical shaped Ilizarov device was first performed by Doctor Ilizarov in 1950 in the Soviet Union. The surgery was performed in patients who were congenitally short statured or had one leg shorter than the other. This technique is still being used worldwide.

  In reality, the Ilizarov surgery is being used in lengthening surgeries for patients with familial or congenital dwarfism and a lot of research articles are being published nationally and internationally. But the postsurgical complications, which extensively influence the daily life and life quality of the patients, are rarely reported in research papers.

  I started working in my specialization in pediatric orthopedics for about 23 years since 1989. I was able to come across lots of complications in the process of treating numerous patients. I got to realize that it is a hard task for both the physician and the patient to continue with the treatment without the prior knowledge of the complications.

  One's height is considered important in our country and because of the prejudice against the people with short height, having short height could limit the number of jobs or partners one can choose from. Such tradition ignores all the grounds in humanities and philosophy and reflects our country that embraces only the materialistic and outer qualities. So some young people with short height start considering the limb lengthening surgery in their youth. I think the best solution is to develop self-confidence and satisfaction and not receive the surgery even if they have short stature.

  Even though there is no accurate statistical information, quite a lot of young people receive the surgery at either personal or university hospitals and of those patients, 20~30% suffer from small or big complications.

  As a doctor who performs the surgeries, it is impossible to say that there are no postsurgical complications. Even a famous and experience orthopedic surgeon will have complications in 5~10% of the patients, therefore I believe informing about the complications is crucial. I also got to experience a lot of complications related to the limb lengthening surgery. But I was able to teach myself that with careful treatment, a big complications turn into a small complication, and a small complication can turn into no complication.

  The stories of the members in ALPK of how they overcame their pain and complications were very helpful for the physicians and other patients who were waiting for the surgery. Thus I believe this book wouldn't have been possible without the help and sacrifice of the ALPK members.

  I hope the contents of this book would be a little help to the physicians and patients who give and receive the limb lengthening surgery. I thank all the social work foundations and supporting associations who unconditionally helped the members of ALPK. Also, many people were helpful for the publishing of this book. I would like to thank the professors and doctors in orthopedic surgery at Korea University, Guro Hospital, Kim, Rin, the president of Korea University Medical Center, Kim, Woo-Gyeong, the president of Korea University, Guro Hospital, and Lee, Seok-Hyeon, the former president of World Pediatric Orthopedic Society.