@article{3125088,
    title = "Digital ray reconstruction through distraction osteogenesis: A retrospective study of 82 rays with long-term follow-up",
    author = "Vekris, M. and Lykissas, M. and Pakos, E. and Gelalis, I. and Korompilias, A. and Soucacos, P. and Beris, A.",
    journal = "Injury",
    year = "2015",
    volume = "46",
    number = "7",
    pages = "1354-1358",
    publisher = "Elsevier Ireland Ltd",
    issn = "0020-1383",
    doi = "10.1016/j.injury.2015.01.036",
    keywords = "adolescent;  adult;  Article;  bone length;  bone pin;  bone radiography;  brachydactyly;  callus;  child;  clinical effectiveness;  congenital bone disease;  congenital digital length discrepancy;  digital ray reconstruction;  distraction osteogenesis;  female;  finger amputation;  follow up;  hand reconstruction;  healing impairment;  human;  infection complication;  long term care;  major clinical study;  male;  medical record;  metacarpal bone;  metacarpophalangeal joint;  postoperative complication;  priority journal;  prosthesis loosening;  retrospective study;  surgical technique;  treatment duration;  young adult;  distraction osteogenesis;  finger phalanx;  fracture healing;  Hand Deformities, Congenital;  Hand Injuries;  pathology;  preschool child;  procedures;  radiography;  time factor;  treatment outcome, Adolescent;  Adult;  Child;  Child, Preschool;  Female;  Finger Phalanges;  Follow-Up Studies;  Fracture Healing;  Hand Deformities, Congenital;  Hand Injuries;  Humans;  Male;  Metacarpal Bones;  Osteogenesis, Distraction;  Retrospective Studies;  Time Factors;  Treatment Outcome",
    abstract = "Purpose: The aim of the present study was to present the long-term radiographic results with distraction osteogenesis in traumatic or congenital length discrepancies of long bones of the hand. Methods: The medical records and radiographs of 65 consecutive patients (27 metacarpals and 55 phalanges) with either traumatic or congenital digital length discrepancies were retrospectively reviewed. The mean follow-up was 8.2 years. The mean distraction period was 21 days with a distraction rate of 4 × 0.25 mm/day. Callus consolidation was obtained in all patients. Results: The bones were lengthened by a mean amount of 17.5 mm, with a mean increase in bone length of 68 ± 17.3%. The mean healing index was 28.57 days/cm. Ray reconstruction with callus distraction can be applied effectively in skeletally immature or mature patients with congenital differences of the hand or amputated fingers. Conclusion: A distraction rate of 1 mm/day proved to be a safe rate of lengthening in both metacarpals and phalanges. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved."
}