[Methods for the evaluation of bone regeneration during distraction osteogenesis].

During limb lengthening gradual reconstruction of bone tissue in distraction gap requires constant, systematic control and evaluation. This process is depicted descriptively and subjectively. Changes happening during osteogenesis are dynamic, they can stop, slow down or accelerate, and regenerate may be of various shape and form. In this work different methods of bone regenerate evaluation are presented. They may be divided on two basic groups. First group contains methods with X-radiation, and the second - without X-rays. Examinations that evaluate arising bone regenerate may be also divided on descriptive examinations and quantitative. Despite that different methods are used for distraction osteogenesis course estimation, classic radiological examination remains the basic one. The rest of them are most often supplementary examinations, useful in selected stages of treatment, for e.g. ultrasonography in first stage of regenerate arising. So it seems, that future is in quantitative regenerate evaluation using radiographs. Classic X-ray picture made in reproducible and repeatable conditions may be subjected to digital, quantitative image analysis, and acquired results enables for more precise and more balanced evaluation of new bone formation in distraction osteogenesis.