Yashwant S Tanwar1, Masood Habib2, Atin Jaiswal3, Satyaprakash Singh2, Rajender K Arya2, Skand Sinha2. 1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India. Electronic address: tanwar_yashwant@yahoo.co.in. 2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India. 3. Bokaro General Hospital, Bokaro, Jharkhand, India.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cubitus varus is the most common delayed complication of pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures. We developed a new technique, the triple modified French osteotomy, that we believe may be the answer to this common but yet unsolved deformity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients aged between 6 and 12 years with post-traumatic cubitus varus deformity were operated on with the triple modified French technique. A varus angle of more than 10° measured on the radiograph was an indication for surgery. RESULTS: The radiologic union at the osteotomy site took place in a mean period of 5.5 weeks (range, 4.5-7 weeks). The average correction achieved by the osteotomy was 27°. There were no cases with complications of radial or ulnar nerve palsy or joint stiffness. CONCLUSION: The triple modified lateral closing wedge French osteotomy is a simple and cosmetically effective method of treating cubitus varus deformity in children. It may obviate the need for more complex procedures; at the same time, it also addresses the potential drawbacks of a simple closing wedge osteotomy.
BACKGROUND:Cubitus varus is the most common delayed complication of pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures. We developed a new technique, the triple modified French osteotomy, that we believe may be the answer to this common but yet unsolved deformity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients aged between 6 and 12 years with post-traumatic cubitus varus deformity were operated on with the triple modified French technique. A varus angle of more than 10° measured on the radiograph was an indication for surgery. RESULTS: The radiologic union at the osteotomy site took place in a mean period of 5.5 weeks (range, 4.5-7 weeks). The average correction achieved by the osteotomy was 27°. There were no cases with complications of radial or ulnar nerve palsy or joint stiffness. CONCLUSION: The triple modified lateral closing wedge French osteotomy is a simple and cosmetically effective method of treating cubitus varus deformity in children. It may obviate the need for more complex procedures; at the same time, it also addresses the potential drawbacks of a simple closing wedge osteotomy.