Dr Donghoon Lee (Gyeonggi-do, South Korea) Bundang CHA Hospital

General Information about Dr Donghoon Lee from Bundang CHA Hospital, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea .  Contact them for specific information and latest updates.

Dr Donghoon Lee will be moving to Severance hospital (affiliated with Yonsei University) with effect from March or May 2014.

Note: please refer to our disclaimer about The Doctors Directory http://www.limblengtheningforum.com/index.php?topic=55.0

Methods of Leg Lengthening

1. 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 enhance      bone regeneration, first established in the world

Recovery

To 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(1cm 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
USD (may change slightly due to rates based on Korea WON currency conversion)

All Figures Rounded Up: 2 Person Shared Room
Hospital Length of Stay = 4 Months for LON/LATN, 3 Months For PRECICE

This Price is valid through 2013.. It will be updated soon after move to Severance hospital (affiliated with Yonsei University) in May 2014.
 


LON = $40,000
LATN = $46,000
PRECICE (Femur) = $64,000
PRECICE (Tibia) = $65,000
Nail Removal = $5,000

Surcharge Longer Stay = $200 Per Day
Refund Early Discharge = $100 Per Day

- Single and Special Single Room available at higher rates.

Contact

Website: http://www.drdonghoon.com/ &  http://www.bowlegsknockkneesleglengthening.org/

Email:  [email protected] & [email protected]
Bundang CHA Hospital Address : 351, Yatap-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea (Zip Code: 463-712)
Bundang CHA Hospital Central Reservation Number : (+82) 1577-4488

This doctor will be changing his pricing soon.  I talked with his assistant, and it's most likely the prices will increase.  He recently posted this on his website:

"Hello to all of my cafe members!

A few months ago, I received an offer from Severance hospital (affiliated with Yonsei University) and after giving it much thought and consideration, I have finally decided to accept the position as an Orthopedic Surgeon at Severance.

 I understand all of your concerns and worries, especially patients who have expressed a genuine desire to have an operation  with me early this year.

At the present moment, I do not have a clear idea of the operation costs at Severance hospital, but as soon as I receive word, I will promptly announce it. As always, I will try my best to reduce the costs as much as I possibly can.

As many of you know, Yonsei University is my alma mater and its hospital is also one of the leading medical institutions in South Korea.
Additionally, it is also a representative institute of limb lengthening in Korea.

As I begin my new post as a Limb Lengthening Professor at Severance, I will do my best to make Severance one of the leading hospitals for Limb Lengthening and Deformity correction in the world.

Above all else, I will be the only one in charge of limb lengthening surgeries at the Severance hospital, so I will certainly have increased responsibilities and a lot of expectations to live up to.

I will continue to do my best to provide an optimal experience for my patients and I sincerely ask for your continued support and constructive feedback."

It seems that the old forum just yesterday updated their surgeon's list with Donghoon Lee with an interview with him.

We at Natural Height Growth did our own review on the surgeon. I have been living in Seoul, South Korea for the last year and within the last 2 months have been to the Severance Hospital affililiated with Yonsei at least half a dozen times for my GF's medical issues so I feel I am slightly more qualified to answer and review this particular surgeon than most others.

Refer to our post http://www.naturalheightgrowth.com/2014/01/16/review-orthopedic-surgeon-dr-dong-hoon-lee-limb-lengthening-surgery/

I am going to try to get in contact with Dr. Lee and see if he can come onto the Podcast for our website and answer some of our questions.

Hi

Thanks for your post.

Whats is your observation on "knee pain rates" for patients who do LON and LATN in Dr Lee's patients?

I am starting to realise that Most, if not all, patients who do LL in India get Knee pain.

Anybody knows if Dr Donghoon offers Precise 2?

We are not sure about the rates of complications like knee pain.

For more information on pricing and accommodation contact Dr. Donghoon Lee's personal assistant.

Name: Ga Young Han

Email: [email protected]

Severance Hospital Information:  http://www.limblengtheningforum.com/index.php?topic=236.msg3377#msg3377

As expected, a huge price increase.  The surgery cost alone is what I paid for the surgery + 3 months accommodation in a single room in the hospital + foods + meds/any shots I needed/xrays/physical therapy. 

The pricing is insane now.  There's no PT unless you stay in the hospital longer than 7 days- which costs $560 a day.

Thanks for the update, Stadiometer.