[Extemporaneous femoral lengthening by the Cauchoix technic in children and adolescents].

One hundred and thirty-eight femoral lengthening operations have been performed in 133 children. The etiology of the shortening was poliomyelitis in 71, infection in 20 and congenital abnormalities in 28. The femur was lengthened in one operative stage by step-cut osteotomy, immediate traction and plate fixation. The mean gain was 35 mm with a maximum of 55 mm. The range of knee movement was unaffected except in 6 cases. Infection occurred in 2 patients without prejudicing the final result. Bony union was obtained in all cases, bone grafting being necessary only once. One permanent sciatic palsy was seen. Thirteen fractures occurred in 9 femurs. Two occurred during operation with loss of lengthening in one case. Eleven occurred post-operatively at the site of osteotomy. One case fractured on 3 occasions. Two cases fractured in another portion of the femur. The complications became fewer with experience and with more accurate technique and it is concluded that the method is safer than progressive lengthening at least in moderate limb length discrepancy.