Clinical Outcomes and Complications of Bilateral Cosmetic Femoral Lengthening Using the Lengthening over Nail Technique: A Single-Center Retrospective Study
- 1Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Nisantasi Universtiy, Istanbul 34398, Turkey
- 2Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Sisli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Health Sciences University, Istanbul 34371, Turkey
- 3Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Beykent University, Istanbul 34500, Turkey
Abstract
Background: The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the clinical experience, efficacy, and limitations of the Lengthening Over Nail (LON) technique in cosmetic bilateral femoral lengthening. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 48 patients (44 males, 4 females) with constitutional short stature who underwent surgery between January 2022 and December 2023. Demographic data, preoperative height, lengthening ratio, time to full weight-bearing, and complications were evaluated. The association between variables was analyzed using Spearman’s rank correlation and Chi-square tests. Results: The mean age of the participants was 31.5 ± 9.43 years. A statistically significant weak negative correlation was observed between age and the amount of lengthening achieved (p = 0.038) as well as the lengthening ratio (p = 0.037). No significant difference was found in the mean age or lengthening ratio between patients with and without complications. The relationship between time to full weight-bearing and complications showed a trend toward significance (p = 0.068). Discussion: The LON technique is a sophisticated and reliable approach for aesthetic limb lengthening that integrates internal and external fixation to enhance stability and reduce external fixation duration Conclusions: While increasing age may be associated with slightly reduced lengthening outcomes, the procedure demonstrates acceptable complication rates when combined with careful patient selection and rigorous rehabilitation.
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BibTeX
@article{oc2026clinical,
title = {{Clinical Outcomes and Complications of Bilateral Cosmetic Femoral Lengthening Using the Lengthening over Nail Technique: A Single-Center Retrospective Study}},
author = {Yunus Oc and Muharrem Kanar and Esref Gursel and Emrah Kovalak},
journal = {Journal of Clinical Medicine},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/jcm15218321},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/21/8321},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Clinical Outcomes and Complications of Bilateral Cosmetic Femoral Lengthening Using the Lengthening over Nail Technique: A Single-Center Retrospective Study
AU - Yunus Oc
AU - Muharrem Kanar
AU - Esref Gursel
AU - Emrah Kovalak
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/26
JO - Journal of Clinical Medicine
DO - 10.3390/jcm15218321
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/21/8321
AB - Background: The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the clinical experience, efficacy, and limitations of the Lengthening Over Nail (LON) technique in cosmetic bilateral femoral lengthening. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 48 patients (44 males, 4 females) with constitutional short stature who underwent surgery between January 2022 and December 2023. Demographic data, preoperative height, lengthening ratio, time to full weight-bearing, and complications were evaluated. The association between variables was analyzed using Spearman’s rank correlation and Chi-square tests. Results: The mean age of the participants was 31.5 ± 9.43 years. A statistically significant weak negative correlation was observed between age and the amount of lengthening achieved (p = 0.038) as well as the lengthening ratio (p = 0.037). No significant difference was found in the mean age or lengthening ratio between patients with and without complications. The relationship between time to full weight-bearing and complications showed a trend toward significance (p = 0.068). Discussion: The LON technique is a sophisticated and reliable approach for aesthetic limb lengthening that integrates internal and external fixation to enhance stability and reduce external fixation duration Conclusions: While increasing age may be associated with slightly reduced lengthening outcomes, the procedure demonstrates acceptable complication rates when combined with careful patient selection and rigorous rehabilitation.
SN - 2077-0383
ER -