Limb lengthening and deformity correction of congenital and acquired deformities in children using the Taylor Spatial Frame

Background and purpose — Hexapodring fixators such as the Taylor Spatial Frame(TSF) have shown good outcomes. However, there have only been a few studies comparing the use of TSF with various etiologies of the deformity. We compared the use of TSF in congenital and acquired deformities in children.Patients and methods — We reviewed 213 lower extremity reconstructive procedures with the TSF in 192 patients who were operated between October 2000 and October 2015. 128 procedures (67 proximal tibiae, 51 distal femora, and 10 distal tibiae) in 117 children (median age 14 (4–18) years; 59 girls) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. 89 procedures were done in children with congenital deformities (group C) and 39 were done in children with acquired deformities (group A). Outcome parameters were lengthening and alignment achieved, lengthening index, complications, and analysis of residual deformity in a subgroup of patients.Results — Mean lengthening achieved was 3.9 (1.0–7.0) cm in group C and 3.7 (1.0–8.0) cm in ...