This procedure is not only done for bone defects but also for height growth. In an interview with Correo, the doctor José Cifuentes sheds light on this very new technique in our region.
Is it possible to lengthen human bone in surgery? How?
We had the case of a 22-year-old man. He underwent surgery in August 2021 with fixators for an exposed right tibia (leg) fracture. As there was no improvement, he was evaluated and a bone resection and repositioning of fixators was performed. As a 10-cm defect remained due to severe osteomyelitis (bone infection), treatment continued.
When do you decide to risk surgery?
Currently without risk of infection, a descending trifocal bone transport plus soft tissue coverage is performed, which will allow the patient to complete this bone defect in approximately 2 to 3 months and return to normal activity. The patient will have bone regeneration and favorable recovery to resume their daily activities.
Is this technique a bone lengthening?
We have achieved the first bone lengthening surgery in Huancayo. It consists of placing circular modular external fixators under the IliZarov Technique under a stress tension mechanism that allows great stability, arthrodiastasis bone growth of 1 millimeter per day and allows you to support the affected leg immediately after surgery. It is worth mentioning that you must have a controlled follow-up both by me, your specialist doctor, and the family member.
How long does the surgery take and how dangerous is it?
Between 3 to 4 hours. All surgery has some risks, but in this case it is not so dangerous. We have all the conditions in the clinic to be able to succeed in this intervention. We have the C-arm for interoperative imaging during surgery.
Is this surgery common in Huancayo and who performs it?
It is the first time that this type of intervention has been carried out in the Junín region and in Huancayo. We carried out this intervention with a great foreign friend, Dr. Carlos Arias Chávez, sub-specialist in septic and reconstructive surgery, Dr. Luis Fujita, specialist in anesthesiology, and myself, Dr. José Cifuentes Orihuela, doctor in orthopedics and traumatology.
Can I gain centimeters in size with this surgery?
This type of procedure is not only used for bone defects due to fracture or infection, but also to correct severe angular deformity, growth due to limb asymmetry, even aesthetic issues such as lengthening the femur by 8 cm and the tibia by 8 cm, that is, you can grow up to 15 cm. . It’s possible.
Is the “new” bone just as strong?
That’s how it is. It also greatly influences food, constant physical activity and quality of life. I want to emphasize that now it is no longer necessary to refer everything to Lima, the Junín region has excellent traumatologists and that this world is wide and what is necessary to train in it, to be trained. Well and always suggest doing sports. I love soccer.
