Supracondylar Closing Spring Osetotomy for Correction of Cubitus Varus

Choi, In Ho; Lee, Duk Yong; Bin, Sung Il; Yeo, Bong Goo; Jin, Jong Soo; Yeom, Jin Sup

Abstract

Cubitus varus deformity following elbow fracture in children rarely limits the function of the upper extremity, but the patients and/or their parents often request an operation for the aesthetic purpose. Various surgicsl techniques have been proposed to correct the deformity, however, the complications following operation are still common. We critically reviewed 55 patients with cubitus varus deformity treated by supracondylar closing osteotomy at Seoul National University Hospital between January, 1980 and April, 1989, and report on 25 patients who had at least one year follow-up (average 4.0 years). The results were graded as excellent (13 cases), good (8 cases), and poor (4 cases). The average amount of correction was 29.1 degrees by humero-elbow-wrist angle. There were two cases with ulnar nerve palsy and one case with radial nerve palsy, however, all of which were spontaneously recovered with time. The factors related to poor results were age at operation, degree of deformity, improper wedge size, and nerve palsy. In this article, we also illustrate our new, simple and safe technique of supracondylar closing spring (incomplete) osteotomy based on careful preoperative planning and special attention to surgical details.