What's new in pediatric lower limb reconstruction?

The last years brought many advances relevant to lower limb reconstruction. It feels like guided growth has been looked at from every angle, and still there are new emerging concepts like rotational guided growth waiting to be validated. New hexapod external devices are more accurate and easier to use, and new unilateral fixators allow for more versatile and stable fixation and lengthening. Intramedullary nail lengthening has found its place as a standard procedure for various diagnoses in children and young adults. First results of new and exciting approaches like extramedullary implantable nail lengthening and lengthening plates have been reported. Pharmaceutical treatment has changed the course of certain diseases and must be integrated and considered when making a reconstructive treatment plan. As reconstructive surgery is rapidly advancing so are the technical options for prosthetic fitting, which makes it difficult for caregivers as well as for parents to make the decision between reconstruction and amputation surgery for the most severe cases of congenital deficiencies. This review is highlighting new developments of lower limb reconstruction and is reviewing the current literature.

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© The Author(s) 2024.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

The author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Christof Radler, MD, Associate Professor paid consultant NuVasive/ Globus Medical; Smith & Nephew; MD Orthopedics; UNFO Inc. Joachim Horn, MD, PhD, Associate Professor paid consultant for teaching activities for NuVasive. Søren Kold, MD, Professor paid consultant for teaching activities for NuVasive/ Globus Medical. Micha Langendörfer, MD paid consultant for teaching activities Smith & Nephew, Nuvasive/Globus Medical, Stryker K2M, Biomarin. Bjoern Vogt, MD Associate Professor board membership of the GEVR e.V. (http://www.gevr.de) without compensation; paid consultant for NuVasive and Smith & Nephew, payments from NuVasive / Globus (San Diego / Pennsylvania, USA), Merete (Berlin, Germany), Smith & Nephew (Watford, UK), Orthofix (Verona, Italy), OrthoPediatrics (Warsaw, USA), BioMarin (Novato, USA) and Kyowa Kirin (Tokyo, Japan) for travel, presentations, and lectures.