[Progressive lengthening of the upper limb in 2 patients].

In one case, a short humerus due to trauma in infancy was lengthened by 7 cm at the age of 15 years. The operation was done in two stages. At the first stage, through a lateral approach with mobilisation of the radial nerve, an osteotomy followed by a progressive lengthening of the humerus, stabilised by an external fixator was used. The second stage employed a medial approach with a bone graft and bone fixation. In the second case, lengthening of 7 cm of the ulna to correct shortening due to a congenital defect was performed. In both cases the functional and cosmetic results were satisfactory despite transitory radial or ulnar palsies.