Translation step-cut osteotomy for posttraumatic Cubitus Varus in adults: a retrospective study

Malunion of distal humeral fractures: current concepts

The incidence of complex articular fractures of the distal humeral in adults has increased and will be growing in the future due to the greater incidence of high energy trauma and to the higher percentage of elderly population. Successful treatment is challenging for the needed balance between a stability of often comminuted fracture and early motion. Malunion is a common complication after distal humerus fractures, which is influenced by a variety of factors such as biology, particularly the blood supply of the metaphysis, the non-anatomical reduction of the fracture, the methods of fixation and mechanical failure. These can involve the intra-articular or extra-articular areas. Clinical presentation may be mainly with pain and instability as for cubitus varus or with disfunction and stiffness as for an intra-articular malunion. However, the symptoms will depend on the degree of articular surfaces damage and the degree of deformities in specific planes. The surgical treatment can be challenging varying from supracondylar osteotomies and re-contouring arthroplasty for extra-articular deformities to interposition arthroplasty and elbow replacement for intra-articular deformities.

A systematic review of techniques for step cut osteotomy in cubitus varus: A comprehensive analysis

Background

Cubitus varus, a common post-traumatic deformity of the elbow in children, poses challenges for both patients and surgeons. Step cut osteotomy has emerged as a reasonable surgical technique to address this condition, offering multiple approaches and modifications.

Methods

We present a comprehensive systematic review of techniques for step cut osteotomy in cubitus varus, analyzing 13 studies that meet our inclusion criteria. These studies encompass diverse patient populations, including pediatric and adult cases, and span different geographical regions.

Results

Our systematic review explores three primary osteotomy techniques-Classic Step-Cut Osteotomy, Reverse V Osteotomy, and Modified Step Cut Osteotomy-along with their modifications, providing surgeons with valuable options for individualized correction. Functional outcomes showcase improvements in range of motion, functional scores, and carrying angle, highlighting the technique's efficacy in restoring elbow function and enhancing quality of life. Radiological evaluations demonstrate successful corrections of various angles and achievement of bony union, reinforcing the stability and anatomical improvements achieved through step cut osteotomy.

Conclusions

Complication rates are notably low, with transient nerve palsies being the most commonly encountered, often resolving within months. Implant failure and other complications are infrequent, underlining the safety and reliability of step cut osteotomy as a surgical intervention for cubitus varus.While the predominance of retrospective studies and heterogeneity across included studies warrant caution, our systematic review provides a robust and diverse synthesis of evidence. It underscores the significance of step cut osteotomy in managing cubitus varus deformity, emphasizing its versatility, favourable outcomes, and safety profile. Further research with rigorous designs and longer follow-up periods will enhance our understanding of step cut osteotomy's role in cubitus varus correction.

Lateral Collateral Ligament Reconstruction Using the Triceps Brachii Fascia for Posterolateral Rotatory Instability in Cubitus Varus: A Report of Two Cases

A combination of osteotomy and ligament reconstruction is recommended for posterolateral rotatory instability (PLRI) with large cubitus varus deformities. There is a lack of reports regarding ligament donor selection for ligament reconstruction of PLRI with cubitus varus. Two cases of PLRI with cubitus varus have been described. In case one, a 40-year-old woman presented with left elbow pain. She had a cubitus varus deformity, resulting from a childhood elbow fracture. Radiographs showed an 18-degree cubitus varus deformity. A lateral closing wedge osteotomy and double plate osteosynthesis were performed. The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) was reconstructed with autologous triceps fascia. Postoperative radiographs confirmed correction with 10 degrees of the carrying angle (CA). Bone union at the osteotomy site occurred six months later with excellent results. In case two, a 45-year-old man presented an arm with persistent right elbow instability with cubitus varus deformity. This was due to a childhood supracondylar fracture of the right humerus. Radiographs showed a cubitus varus deformity of 25 degrees on the right. The surgical procedure included a lateral wedge osteotomy, double plate fixation, and LCL reconstruction with autologous triceps fascia. Postoperative radiographs confirmed a corrected CA of 5 degrees. Bone union was achieved at the six-month follow-up with satisfactory results. The use of triceps fascia for LCL reconstruction for PLRI due to cubitus varus would provide a minimally invasive and reasonable treatment option.

Comparison of Functional and Cosmetic Outcomes According to Fracture Level in Gartland Type III Pediatric Supracondylar Humerus Fractures

Background

Supracondylar humerus (SCH) fractures in children have been traditionally categorized according to the Wilkins-modified Gartland classification scheme, which is solely based on the degree of displacement. As this classification does not consider fracture patterns in the coronal or sagittal plane, the relationship between the fracture pattern and prognosis in SCH fractures remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the fracture level and prognosis of pediatric SCH fractures.

Methods

Medical records and radiographs of 786 patients with SCH fractures who underwent surgical treatment between March 2004 and December 2017 were reviewed. A total of 192 patients were included in this study. Anteroposterior elbow radiographs taken at the time of injury were evaluated to obtain the level of fracture. Functional outcomes were evaluated based on modified Flynn grading at the last follow-up.

Results

Of 192 patients included in this study, 24 (12.1%), 148 (74.8%), and 20 (10.1%) had fractures in zone 1 (metaphyseal-diaphyseal area), zone 2 (between zones 1 and 3), and zone 3 (metaphyseal-epiphyseal area), respectively. There were significant differences in age at the time of injury (p = 0.011), direction of fracture displacement (p = 0.014), and loss of carrying angle (p < 0.001) between fractures in zone 3 and those in zone 1 or zone 2. Zone 3 fractures and classic zone 2 fractures also showed significant difference in outcomes, with zone 3 fractures having more unsatisfactory outcome than classic zone 2 fractures (p = 0.049).

Conclusions

For SCH fractures, varus deformity of the elbow was more common in zone 3 (metaphyseal-epiphyseal area) than in the other zones. Thus, pediatric orthopedic surgeons should be mindful of the possibility of cubitus varus deformity when treating SCH fractures in zone 3. A thorough postoperative follow-up is required.

Radiologic midterm results of cemented and uncemented glenoid components in primary osteoarthritis of the shoulder: a matched pair analysis

INTRODUCTION

Cemented all-polyethylene glenoid components are considered the gold standard in anatomic shoulder arthroplasty. New designs of cementless metal backed glenoid components showed promising early and midterm results. The aim of this matched-pair analysis was to compare the radiologic results of two cemented glenoid components and a cementless glenoid component in patients with primary osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODS

Sixty shoulders were clinically and radiologically evaluated after a mean follow-up of 59 months. Mean patient age was 70.4 years at surgery. Based on the design of the glenoid component (keel, peg, MB), 3 groups with, respectively, 20 shoulders were formed according to the matching criteria time of follow-up, patient age and gender. RLL and osteolysis in anteroposterior and axillary X-ray images were quantified and combined in a radiologic score (R-Score). Higher scores expressed worse radiologic outcomes. Further radiological parameters such as lateral glenohumeral offset (LGHO) and subluxation index were measured according to Walch. The functional results were documented using the age and gender normalized Constant-Murley score.

RESULTS

Postoperative R-Score was highest in pegged components (peg: 5.7, keel: 2.4, MB: 1.6; p < 0.001) when combining both radiographs and after separate analysis of anteroposterior radiographs. MB glenoids had the lowest R-score in axillary radiographs (peg: 2.2, keel: 1.4, MB: 0.6; MB vs. keel: p = 0.004, MB vs peg: p < 0.001). RLL were more common (p = 0.004) and severe (p = 0.005) in pegged glenoids (RLL incidence: 77.8%, RLL-score: 2.5) than in MB glenoids (RLL incidence: 30%, RLL-score 0.7) and tended (p = 0.084) to have a higher RLL-score than keeled glenoids (RLL incidence: 63.2%, RLL-score:1.4). Both the osteolysis score (keel vs. peg: p < 0.001, MB vs. peg p < 0.001) and the incidence of osteolysis (keel vs. peg: p = 0.008, MB vs peg: p = 0.003) were significant higher in pegged glenoids (peg: osteolysis score: 3.2, osteolysis incidence: 100%; keel: osteolysis score: 1.0, osteolysis incidence: 63.2%, MB: osteolysis score: 0.9, osteolysis incidence: 60%), while the osteolysis score in axillary images was lowest for MB glenoids (peg: 1.2, keel: 0.9, MB: 0.4; peg vs. MB: p = 0.009, keel vs. MB: p = 0.047). Osteolysis in the central axillary zone was least common in MB glenoids (peg: 50%, keel: 47.4%, MB: 15%; peg vs. MB p = 0.035, keel vs. MB p = 0.041). LGHO was highest in MB glenoids (peg: 54.1, keel: 54.5, MB: 57.8; p < 0.001) but did not increase radiographic loosening (r = 0.007; p = 0.958). Preoperative posterior humeral head subluxation seemed to affect incidence of RLL negatively (pre-op posterior decentered 64.3%, pre-op centered 31.9%; p = 0.201) but did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

Pegged glenoid components had a concerning rate of RLL and osteolysis. MB glenoid components had a better outcome in axillary radiographs concerning RLL and osteolysis. Increased LGHO did not increase radiographic loosening.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Retrospective comperative treatment study Level III.

Neural wedge osteotomy method of correction for cubitus varus deformity in children

In this study, we evaluated the clinical outcome of neutral wedge osteotomy assisted with the center of rotation of angulation (CORA) method of distal humerus anatomical axis for the treatment of cubitus varus deformity in children. From 2016 to 2019, 20 children with cubitus varus deformity after supracondylar fracture of the humerus were enrolled. Standard anteroposterior radiograph of the humerus was taken preoperatively. The CORA point and angulation angles were obtained by measuring the proximal and distal humerus anatomical axis. During the operation, neutral wedge osteotomy was performed to correct the varus deformity. The Baumann angle and the carrying angle were used to evaluate the correction effect of the distal humeral varus deformity. The average age of the patients was 7.8 years. Patients were followed up for an average of 29.3 months (range, 24-36 months). The average interval between surgery and injury was 12 months. The mean preoperative Baumann angle and carrying angle were 99° (90°-115°) and -14° (range, -10° to -30°), respectively. At the last follow-up, the mean Baumann angle and carrying angle was 76° (70°-80°) and 13.6° (10°-18°), respectively, with 16 cases showing excellent outcome and 4 cases showing good outcome. Our results indicated that the neutral wedge osteotomy assisted with CORA method of distal humerus anatomical axis showed good clinical outcomes in the treatment of cubitus varus deformity in children and is worthy of clinical application. The level of evidence is IV.

Is modified reverse step-cut osteotomy better than Yun's reverse V osteotomy in paediatric cubitus varus deformity correction? A prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Various corrective osteotomy techniques have been described in the literature for correcting paediatric cubitus varus. But we are still in search of the perfect technique that gives maximum possible deformity correction and cosmetic appearance that satisfies parents with minimal complications. We compared the outcomes of two technically sound osteotomy techniques having minimal postoperative lateral condyle prominence described in the literature.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Is modified reverse step-cut osteotomy (MRSO) better in terms of clinical, radiological, and cosmetic outcomes than Yun's reverse V osteotomy (RVO) in pediatric cubitus varus deformity correction?

METHODS

In total, 20 children with unilateral cubitus varus resulting from malunited supracondylar humerus fractures were included. Randomization was done by computer-generated random slips. A total of ten cases each were operated by MRSO and RVO techniques, respectively. Clinical, radiological, and cosmetic appearance assessments were done at the final two year follow-up and compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The mean age of children in the MRSO and RVO groups is 9.9 years (3-16) and 8.6 years (3-16), respectively. The mean pre-operative carrying angle in the deformed elbow of MRSO and RVO group was - 20.5° and - 19.5°, respectively, and the mean pos-toperative carrying angle in the corrected elbow of MRSO and RVO group was + 6.8° and + 6.5°, respectively. Regarding the lateral prominence index (LPI), a positive correlation was noted between pre-operative and post-operative periods with a value of 0.855 and 0.844 (p value: 0.001 and 0.03, respectively) in both MRSO and RVO groups, respectively. However, the change was statistically not significant when compared between the two groups (p = 0.63). There was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) when the clinical, radiological, and cosmetic outcomes were compared between the groups at final follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The surgeon can choose either one of these techniques based on their expertise since the results of both the techniques are comparable in terms of clinical, radiological, and cosmetic outcomes.

The lateral curved osteotomy for cubitus varus deformity in children: A case report and literature review

Introduction

Cubitus varus deformity after malunited supracondylar humerus fracture has various surgical techniques, implant configurations, and approaches. We describe a combination of French and Dome osteotomy and novel internal fixation technique to deliver an easy, safe, fast and reproducible result based on the current best evidence.

Presentation of case

Two cases of malunited supracondylar humerus are described. The first case involves a 3-year-old girl who presented with outstretched and supinated left arm after falling during bike riding 3 weeks earlier. We found no abnormality in radial and median nerve function, but the left arm radiographs showed a callus formation and the early stages of a malunited fracture of the supracondylar humerus. We waited two months for further radiographic evaluation and the radiographs showed the malunited supracondylar humerus with elbow flexion of only 105° and elbow hyperextension of 20°. The cubitus varus was recorded with clinical carrying angle of varus 10°. We used a combination of original French and Dome osteotomy, lateral approach, and our novel fixation technique with excellent results. The second case involved a 8-year-old boy with malunited right elbow and the surgery was done in the same manner, with the result of restoration to normal elbow range of motion. We also assessed the pain score and disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score and recorded satisfactory results.

Conclusions

The combination of French and Dome osteotomy for treatment of cubitus varus deformity can provide an easy, safe, and reproducible result.

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Cubitus varus deformity.

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Malunited supracondylar humerus.

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French osteotomy.

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Dome osteotomy.