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    The content on this page is not current guidance and is only for the purposes of the consultation process.

    Intramedullary distraction for upper limb lengthening

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    Interventional procedures consultation document

    People can be born with different length arms, or this can be caused by disease, injury, nerve damage at birth, or surgery to remove bone tumours. In this procedure, through an incision, the upper arm bone is cut and a metal lengthening device (distractor) is put inside the bone (intramedullary) across the cut. After the operation, the device is gradually lengthened while new bone forms across the cut, increasing the length of the bone. The device is lengthened using an electric or magnetic internal motor, operated through a connecting cable or remotely. This process of lengthening and healing takes several months. The device may be removed through surgery or left in place.

    NICE is looking at intramedullary distraction for upper limb lengthening.

    NICE's interventional procedures advisory committee met to consider the evidence and the opinions of professional experts, who are consultants with knowledge of the procedure.

    This document contains the draft guidance for consultation. Your views are welcome, particularly:

    • comments on the draft recommendations

    • information about factual inaccuracies

    • additional relevant evidence, with references if possible.

    NICE is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, eliminating unlawful discrimination and fostering good relations between people with particular protected characteristics and others.

    This is not NICE's final guidance on this procedure. The draft guidance may change after this consultation.

    After consultation ends, the committee will:

    • meet again to consider the consultation comments, review the evidence and make appropriate changes to the draft guidance

    • prepare a second draft, which will go through a resolution process before the final guidance is agreed.

    Please note that we reserve the right to summarise and edit comments received during consultation or not to publish them at all if, in the reasonable opinion of NICE, there are a lot of comments or if publishing the comments would be unlawful or otherwise inappropriate.

    Closing date for comments: 2 November 2021

    Target date for publication of guidance: March 2022