General Information and response from Dr Donghoon Lee from Severance Hospital, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea. Contact them for specific information and latest updates.
Note: Previous Thread Linked Here
http://www.limblengtheningforum.com/index.php?topic=145.18
Methods of Leg Lengthening1. Only using an external fixator
2. Hybrid Techniques (LON, LATN, LOP)
3. Intramedullary Lengthening Devices
Lengthening Over Nail (LON)- Minimum invasive, minimum scar, correct curvature legs simultaneously
- Established surgical method to minimize x-shaped leg occur
- Product - Internal Fixation; ETN®(Synthes, USA), ASLS®(Synthes, USA)
- External Fixator; Ortho SUV®(Russia), Hexapod®(Germany)
Lengthening And Then Nailing (LATN)- Rehabilitation period shorten over six weeks compared to LON, possible to return back to everyday life quickly, abundant bone regeneration formation
- First time in Korea, successful LATN method
- Possess the nation’s largest number of cases
- Product - Internal Fixation; ETN®(Synthes, USA), ASLS®(Synthes, USA))
- External fixator device; Ortho SUV®(Russia), Hexapod®(Germany)
- Computer-assisted external fixator device (Ortho SUV®, Hexapod®)
Intramedullary Lengthening Devices(PRECICE®- Ellipse, USA)- Least scars and pain surgical method, lengthening using only the internal fixator without the external fixator
- Possess the nation’s largest number of cases
** Worry-free bone regeneration
- lengthening surgery using combined bone marrow concentration (BMAC) & platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy which enhances bone regeneration, first established in the world
RecoveryTo minimize various complications resulting from limb lengthening, it is recommended that lengthening is performed under 20% of the original bone length, and by an experienced surgeon.
Since the femur is longer than the tibia, generally speaking it is possible to lengthen more when lengthening the femur. However, since the muscles surrounding the femur are very strong, too much lengthening could lead to joint contracture in the hip joint or knee joint, so caution must be taken.
In terms of scars, in the case of the femur, scars near the outer buttocks can be concealed with underwear and all scars (1 cm size) form on the outer thigh, so they cannot be seen from the front or back. They cannot be seen at all if shorts or pants longer than knee length are worn. In the case of the tibia, since scars form on the knee and calf, there is more exposure.
However, over the course of time, these scars fade away, and especially for those with much leg hair, they are not a big problem. In the consideration of scars, the use of internal lengthening nails (like PRECICE) is recommended over external fixators (LON/LATN).
Limb lengthening is a process that involves not only the bone but also the soft tissue surrounding the bone. Especially when muscle is lengthened, even after recovery, sports ability (especially when playing vigorous sports) might not return 100%. The more the bone is lengthened, the more probability sports ability will not fully recover.
According to Park's report (Park HW et al, JBJS, 2008), 25% of the people who lengthen the tibia (6cm in average) was found to have some difficulties in persuing vigorous activity.
If both Tibia and Femur are lengthened sequentially, the maximum to be 10cm in total. But, one more important thing is to consider body ratio. So, I recommend to decide the target considering the safety, recovery of sports activity and body ratio.
My patients need a consultation with me before surgery.
If you have kept up with the exercises (Biking, squats, lunges, water walking, and swimming) for strengthen the front thigh muscle (quadriceps femoris), this will give great help to do the rehabilitation after the surgery. In addition to the thigh muscle exercises, upper-body muscle exercise and stretching exercises as a whole will also help.
Cost (Price valid through 2015)
! All the payments are charged by Korean money unit (Won) or USD.
! You should pay 80% of cost before administration via wire transfer or credit card (VISA, MASTER CARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS) when you go through the administration process.
!This is rough price for bilateral leg lengthening surgery. It can be different for different situations.
What is covered in the cost of surgery?1) 7 days of hospitalization for each stage surgery (Except LON 2nd, 3rd, and PRECICE 2nd surgery. Those surgery fees include only 3 days of hospitalization. You don’t need to stay in the hospital longer than that). There is a surcharge for patients staying longer than this.
2) Surgery fees.
3) All implants that is necessary for the surgery.
4) All x-rays and radiology fees during hospital stay.
5) Medications and pharmaceuticals during hospital stay.
6) Wheelchair, walker and bedside commode as needed for post surgery during hospital stay.
7) Wireless Internet.
What is not covered?1) Fees for care worker
2) Fees for stem-cell therapy; cost \5,000,000.; It will be decided when you have consultation with Dr. Lee. It’s not mandatory.
3) Fees for out-patient clinic; cost around \100,000 ($95) ~ \200,000 ($190) for the first consultation including X-ray fee. - may be some variations according to the prescription; If you choose minimal hospital stay in LON or LATN, you should visit out-patient clinic every two weeks during lengthening periods. In case of PRECICE, you should visit out-patient clinic once a week. Lengthening periods takes about 2months - varies according to the length, the type of surgery (LON/LATN/PRECICE) and individuals.
Hospital Charge When Staying Longer Than 7 Days
* Normally Severance hospital does not provide 6 person shared room for international patients. This is special offer for leg lengthening patient.
(Hotel site:
http://en.ever8.co.kr/)
AccommodationSince the hospital fee is expensive, we can introduce long stay hotel near hospital. It costs \100,000 per day (around $100) when using Deluxe room and breakfast is not included. The price for breakfast is \11,000 ($10). This price is for Severance Hospital patient staying more than 30 days. So the price on the hotel website is not the price for our patients.
(Hotel site:
http://en.ever8.co.kr/)
Total costThis is the total cost of each surgery for 90 days of hospitalization including 1st and 2nd surgery. (This is approximate price)
ContactWebsite:
http://www.drdonghoon.com/ &
http://www.bowlegsknockkneesleglengthening.org/∗ Sinchon Severance Hospital Address : Severance Hospital 250 Seongsanno (134 Sinchon-dong), Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Korea (Zip Code: 120-749)
∗ Sinchon Severance Hospital Central Resevation Number : (+82) 1599-1004
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Topic: Dr Donghoon Lee (Seoul, South Korea) Severance Hospital 2015 Update (Read 54810 times)