Treatment of post-traumatic elbow deformities in children with the Ilizarov distraction osteogenesis technique

A systematic review of the operative techniques for treating cubitus varus deformity in children

A systematic review of the operative techniques for treating cubitus varus deformity in children was performed using research databases including PubMed and Embase. Outcome measurements included mean angular correction of the humerus-elbow-wrist angle, complications, revisions and outcome scores. A total of 45 papers and 911 patients were included. Lateral closing wedge osteotomy (LCWO) (427 patients) was the most common procedure and 5.56% of these patients experienced lateral condylar prominence. This technique had the highest revision rate at 3%. The step-cut osteotomy (111 patients) yielded zero postoperative infections or loss of motion. Distraction osteogenesis (92 patients) was the least common technique. Superficial pin tract infections occurred in 18% of patients and 88.04% of patients reported excellent results, the highest of any technique in this study. The infection rate of dome osteotomy (151 patients) was 9.45% and 4.72% of patients experienced loss of motion. 3D osteotomy (130 patients) had no infections, 87.78% of patients reported excellent outcomes, and 2.22% of patients reported poor outcomes, the lowest of all techniques. For unidimensional correction, LCWO provides a technically simple procedure and reasonable outcomes. Step-cut osteotomy has less lateral condylar prominence but is more complicated than LCWO. Distraction osteogenesis is a minimally invasive alternative to LCWO and step-cut osteotomy, but it has more superficial infections and can be bothersome to patients. For a multidimensional correction, 3D osteotomy is superior to dome osteotomy due to its lower infection rate and higher rate of functionally excellent outcomes.

Post-traumatic cubitus varus: long-term follow-up of corrective osteotomy using the Ilizarov method of compression distraction osteogenesis

The term cubitus varus describes the inward inclination of the supinated forearm on the extended elbow. The deformity manifests clinically as a decreased carrying angle, decreased range of motion (ROM) along with a cosmetically unsightly appearance. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the technique of compression-distraction osteogenesis using the Ilizarov apparatus in the management of patients with post-traumatic cubitus varus deformity. The objectives were to study the impact of this method on the ROM, the Humerus Elbow Wrist (HEW) angle as well as the Lateral Prominence Index. A total of 32 patients who presented with a cubitus varus deformity of ≥10° at the elbow were retrospectively analyzed using data retrieved from a computerized hospital database. All patients had undergone a mini-incision subperiosteal osteotomy followed by application of an Ilizarov frame. Cinico-radiological follow-up was carried out at regular intervals until union was achieved and yearly thereafter. The mean time to union was 11 weeks. The mean follow-up period ranged from 2 to 12 years (mean 4.0 years). Results were graded as excellent in 25 cases (78.1%), good in 2 (6.3%) and poor in 5 case (15.6%) using the grading system of Oppenheim. The mean HEW angle at final follow-up improved from 20° of varus to 6° of valgus. The mean flexion/extension improved from 121°/-3° preoperatively to 125°/-4° at final follow-up. The Mayo Elbow Performance scores at final follow-up were excellent in 23 cases, good in 7 and fair in 2. Complications encountered included superficial pintract infections in three cases, lateral condylar prominence in one case, loss of terminal flexion in three cases and valgus over-correction in one case.

Not Kidding! Sequalae of elbow trauma in children

Elbow injuries are common in children and while majority heal very well, some result in deformities of the elbow. Although deformities such as cubitus varus and non-progressive cubitus valgus are considered cosmetic by the paediatric orthopaedic surgeons and intentionally ignored, they are not always benign and can result in functional deficit due to instability, pain, tardy nerve palsies and osteoarthritis later in life. Similarly congenital and developmental conditions that do not cause major functional loss in childhood, become very disabling in adults due to increasing functional demands. Congenital radial head dislocation and radioulnar synostosis fall into this category. In this paper we discuss clinical presentation, treatment options and outcomes of common elbow conditions presenting later in the life.

[Corrective osteotomies around the elbow in childhood and adolescence : Indications and techniques for posttraumatic deformities]

Evidence-based literature on counseling and treatment of pediatric and adolescent patients with posttraumatic deformities is scarce; however, especially around the elbow with its low remodeling potential, the number of patients with malunions presenting in outpatient clinics is not rare at all. In this review the more frequent indications for corrective surgery around the pediatric elbow are described and treatment proposals are made from the perspective of an interregional reference center for pediatric and adolescent trauma.