Abstract
Between 1982 and 1994, corrective osteotomies for cubitus varus after supracondylar fracture were done in 10 patients (male 8, female 2).
The average age at the time of surgery was 16 years (range 4 to 44 years) and the interval between injury and the osteotomy averaged 12 years (range 1 to 36 years). Follow up ranged from 7 months to 13 years (mean 4 years and 7 months in children, one year and 4 months in adult).
A simple closing wedge osteotomy was done without respecting rotational deformity. The angle of the wedge was determined by adding the varus angle of the affected side and the carrying angle of contralateral side.
Surgical results were evaluated using three categories (Function, ROM, Deformity) according to the JOA score. Rotational deformity after surgery was evaluated using Yamamoto's method.
In 7 children, wedge osteotomies (averaged 33°) were done for varus deformity (averaged 28°). Immediately after surgery, satisfactory valgus (averaged 6°) was achieved, however, correction loss (averaged 5°) was seen within 3 months. Correction loss didn't progress after 3 months.
In 3 adults, one case who received plate fixation showed primary bone healing in cubitus rectus, however, two cases whose osteotomy was fixed by K-wires and tension band wiring developed delayed union resulting in correction loss. The patient who received plate fixation as a second surgery showed 5° varus deformity, while the other resulted in union with 13° varus.
Internal rotational deformity averaging 10° was seen in children and 8° in adult. Internal rotational deformity to this degree did not affect the functional result.
9 of 10 patients were satisfied with the results especially in appearance. One patient who developed malunion was not satisfied.
