Femur lengthening using the Wagner technique.

Seventeen femoral lengthenings with an observation period of 1 year or more are reviewed. The mean leg length discrepancy was 6.9 cm, ranging from 3.8 to 14.8 cm. Mean lengthening was 5.8 cm, ranging from 3.6 to 10 cm. Osteosynthesis and bone grafting was done in all cases. Nonunion occurred in one lengthening, and five bones refractured. All failures, however, healed after reosteosynthesis. Transient peroneal paresis occurred in two cases, while in one case knee flexion was reduced to 55 degrees. In spite of minor pin-track drainage, no infections complicated the osteosynthesis. It is concluded that the Wagner procedure is an effective and fairly safe method for leg lengthening. Complications, however, are frequent and great caution is essential.