I see this risk mentioned quite a lot as the 'ultimate' risk that can occur with cosmetic limb lengthening (besides death of course), but having searched through the forum, I can't find any evidence that it's actually happened to a cosmetic patient. Nor can I find any studies that have documented it with cosmetic cases.

Obviously, it's a very worrying outcome that most are warned about before undergoing the procedure, and it is possible, but how likely? And when has it happened before? I can't really find any answers to those questions: only how it can theoretically occur, due to infection, compartment syndrome, and non-union. There are a handful of really serious non-union cases, but even with those, I've never heard of one resulting in an amputation.

Any insight?

Thanks!