PURPOSE: To compare the results of ulnar shortening by the traditional freehand method with those achieved by the Rayhack technique. METHODS: A historical cohort of 95 patients (97 ulnas) who had ulnar shortening for the treatment of ulnar-impaction syndrome was evaluated. Forty-three patients (45 ulnas) were treated by the freehand technique and 52 patients (52 ulnas) by the Rayhack technique. Both groups were well matched in terms of age, gender, prior history of trauma, and associated injuries. The following variables were compared: duration of surgery, relief of pain, return to work, postoperative complications, time elapsed between surgery and return to work, union of the osteotomy, collinear alignment of the ulnar shaft, and alignment of the plate against the bone. These variables were compared by using the independent-groups t test, chi-square test, and Fisher exact test, as appropriate. RESULTS: Statistical analysis of the compared parameters: duration of surgery, relief of pain, return to work, postoperative complications, time elapsed between surgery and return to work, and union of the osteotomy, showed that none was significant. There were no cases of malalignment of the ulnar shaft or malalignment of the plate against bone in either group. Our calculations show that one would need a cohort of at least 300 patients in each group to show meaningful differences between the groups provided the same proportions held true. CONCLUSIONS: There was a trend toward a higher incidence of nonunion in patients who had the freehand technique although we were unable to show a statistical difference. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, Level III.
PURPOSE: To compare the results of ulnar shortening by the traditional freehand method with those achieved by the Rayhack technique. METHODS: A historical cohort of 95 patients (97 ulnas) who had ulnar shortening for the treatment of ulnar-impaction syndrome was evaluated. Forty-three patients (45 ulnas) were treated by the freehand technique and 52 patients (52 ulnas) by the Rayhack technique. Both groups were well matched in terms of age, gender, prior history of trauma, and associated injuries. The following variables were compared: duration of surgery, relief of pain, return to work, postoperative complications, time elapsed between surgery and return to work, union of the osteotomy, collinear alignment of the ulnar shaft, and alignment of the plate against the bone. These variables were compared by using the independent-groups t test, chi-square test, and Fisher exact test, as appropriate. RESULTS: Statistical analysis of the compared parameters: duration of surgery, relief of pain, return to work, postoperative complications, time elapsed between surgery and return to work, and union of the osteotomy, showed that none was significant. There were no cases of malalignment of the ulnar shaft or malalignment of the plate against bone in either group. Our calculations show that one would need a cohort of at least 300 patients in each group to show meaningful differences between the groups provided the same proportions held true. CONCLUSIONS: There was a trend toward a higher incidence of nonunion in patients who had the freehand technique although we were unable to show a statistical difference. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, Level III.
Authors: T David Luo; Michael De Gregorio; Andrey Zuskov; Mario Khalil; Zhongyu Li; Fiesky A Nuñez; Fiesky A Nuñez Journal: J Wrist Surg Date: 2019-08-28
Authors: Jong Woo Kang; Soo Min Cha; Sang-Gyun Kim; In Cheul Choi; Dong Hun Suh; Jong Woong Park Journal: J Orthop Surg Res Date: 2021-02-04 Impact factor: 2.359