[The study of biohumoral parameters during surgical limb lengthening]. / Studio di alcuni parametri bio-umorali in corso di allungamento chirurgico degli arti.

The authors report a series of 7 patients undergoing surgical limb extension with a total of 9 segmentary extensions. The study focuses on the trend of 4 biohumoral parameters (ESR, PCR, leukocytes, neutrophil percentage) during the various stages of surgery. The authors conclude that, in conjunction with clinical assessment, these parameters represent a valid tool for monitoring infections during the course of extension. Of these parameters, PCR was found to be the most sensitive marker. If evaluated using the general trend of these markers, surgical limb lengthening is not dissimilar to the fracture healing process.

[Indications for the use of external fixator in orthopedics and traumatology during the developmental age]. / Le indicazioni al fissatore esterno in ortopedia e traumatologia dell'età evolutiva.

The paper illustrates the characteristics of external fixators (EF) (Wagner, FEA, Ilizarov) regularly used in pediatric surgery. Attention is focused on the indications for their use in orthopedics and traumatology during the developmental age. In conclusion, their use, even though in traumatology this is more restricted than in adults, reduces many complications which may arise from traditional treatment. In addition, it is well tolerated and allows pathologies to be treated which were difficult to cure in the past.

The modified Wagner method for surgical lengthening of the limbs.

The method proposed by Wagner in 1971 for surgical lengthening of the limbs was widely used by the authors for the treatment of dysmetria and (since 1976, for the first time in Italy) for disharmonic hypometria. The limitations of this method were revealed, however, by increasing knowledge in this field and the advent of new biological concepts of bone regeneration. The authors report 51 lengthenings carried out between 1982 and 1987 according to their own modification of the Wagner method. They conclude that the Wagner external fixator associated with corticotomy achieves excellent results, decreasing the number of surgical stages as well as the risk of infection and delay in consolidation.