LATN
Lengthening And Then Nailing
External fixator drives the distraction phase; once length is achieved, an internal nail is inserted and the frame removed.
How it works
LATN is a variant of LON. The external fixator is used only during the distraction phase; at the end, the patient returns to theatre, an intramedullary nail is placed, and the external frame is removed. Consolidation then occurs with the internal nail providing stability.
Schematic. Bone geometry and hardware placement are illustrative; consult your surgeon for procedure specifics.
At a glance
- Typical gain
- 5–8 cm
- Total recovery
- 16–28 weeks
- Distraction sites
- femur, tibia
- External hardware
- Yes
- Status
- Actively used
What this means for a patient
- ●Lower cost than fully-internal techniques
- ●Fixator time limited to distraction phase
Trade-offs and risks
- ●Two separate surgeries (fixator removal + nail insertion)
- ●Pin site care during distraction
6 verified clinics offering LATN
Paley Orthopedic & Spine Institute
Dr. Dror Paley, MD, FRCSC
Hospital for Special Surgery
Dr. S. Robert Rozbruch, MD, FAAOS
LimbplastX Institute
Dr. Kevin Debiparshad, MD, FRCSC
Donghoon Advanced Lengthening Reconstruction Institute
Dr. Donghoon Lee, MD, PhD (Yonsei University)
Paley Middle East Clinic
Dr. Dror Paley, MD, FRCSC
International Limb Lengthening Center of IRAN
Dr. Nader Motallebizadeh, Board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon
This page is editorial reporting, not medical advice. Every patient anatomy is different — technique selection requires in-person consultation with a qualified surgeon.