Lengthening Surgery
short stature; Although it is an important health problem, it is also a situation that needs to be investigated. Short stature may be due to genetic transitions as well as due to many other factors. While investigating short stature; if the difference between the arms and legs is less than 2 cm, it usually does not require surgical intervention; but if the difference is more than 2 cm, this difference should be investigated as it will cause dysfunctions. The most important factors to be investigated are:
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Genetic factors
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Endocrine diseases
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Diseases due to malnutrition or malnutrition
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Diseases such as dubowitz syndrome, bloom syndrome, johanson-blizzard syndrome
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Chromosomal abnormalities
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Congenital bone diseases
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Rheumatic diseases
How Is It Diagnosed?
Of course, the priority should be a physical examination. Afterwards, radiological imaging is performed on the patient for millimetric measurements. Since lengthening surgeries can also be performed cosmetically, the patient must be evaluated by a psychologist in order for the patient to be able to perform the lengthening operation at his own request.
How is the Surgery Performed?
After all examinations and examinations, the operation decision of the patient is made, and the operation takes approximately 2.5-3 hours. After the operation, the patient is kept under control in the hospital for approximately 3-4 days, depending on the pain condition. Lengthening is not done during the surgery. With the apparatus attached to the bone, which is planned to be lengthened during the operation, the lengthening process is done manually 5 days after the operation. About 1-1.5 mm per day. The lengthening process is done painlessly with a simple method that can be done even by the patient. In approximately 2.5 months, 10 cm lengthening is done. Of course, during this period, patient-specific physical therapy methods are applied. The physical therapy process takes approximately 3-6 months.
If there is no hereditary disease at a very young age, it is recommended that the cosmetic lengthening surgery be performed after the age of 20. Because the growth plates usually close at the age of 18-20, so performing the surgery after the age of 20 increases the success.
