The clamshell osteotomy: a new technique to correct complex diaphyseal malunions: surgical technique

Foot and Ankle Complications after Tibial and Fibular Shaft Fractures

The prevalence of foot and ankle injuries associated with tibial and fibular shaft fractures is estimated to be 25%. A myriad of injury mechanisms and surrounding soft tissue damage related to this type of fracture can lead to distal complications and sequelae in the foot and ankle. Early recognition of concomitant acute injuries and adequate management of delayed complications can optimize the functional outcomes and quality of life in most patients..

Focal Dome Osteotomy Combined with Ilizarov Technique for Treating Femoral Multiplanar Deformity

OBJECTIVE

The management of femoral multiplanar deformity remains a great challenge for orthopaedic surgeons. The focal dome osteotomy (FDO) combined with Ilizarov technique is a theoretically ideal method for treating femoral multiplanar deformity, but the clinical evidence is limited. The aim of this study is to assess the clinical and radiological outcomes of this combined strategy for correcting femoral multiplanar deformities.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted to analyze 20 patients (29 limbs) with femoral multiplanar deformities treated by FDO combined with Ilizarov external fixation in our limb deformity center between 2017 and 2022. Preoperative and postoperative radiographical parameters were measured, including lateral proximal femoral angle (LPFA), mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA), middle diaphysis angle (MDA), anatomic posterior distal femoral angle (aPDFA), mechanical axis deviation (MAD), and limb length discrepancy (LLD). Clinical assessments included a self-made questionnaire for exercise capacity score (ECS), visual analog scale (VAS), and the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) score.

RESULTS

There were eight males and 12 females, with a mean age of 32.8 years (14-61 years). All patients completed follow-up with a mean follow-up duration of 41.5 (27-81) months. The mean EFT was 8.9 (1.4-20.2) months. At final follow-up, significantly improvement was noted regarding mean LLD (from 1.8 to 0.4 cm, p < 0.05), MDA (from 31.8° to 10.4°, p < 0.05), aPDFA (from 97.6° to 91.8°, p < 0.05), MAD (from 22.4 to 5.3 mm, p < 0.05), CORA on the true deformity plane (from 32.4° to 6.8°, p < 0.05). The mean VAS was decreased from 4.03 (2.0-6.0) preoperatively to 1.38 (0-3.0) at final follow-up (p < 0.05). The mean score of each item of SF-36 was significantly improved at final follow-up (p < 0.05). The mean ECS was improved from 8.2 (5-12) preoperatively to 11.4 (8-13) at final follow-up (p < 0.05). During the follow-up, one patient underwent pin exchange. One patient underwent internal fixation to replace the Ilizarov fixation 1.4 months after the first surgery. Residual LLD (>0.5 cm) was noted in four patients but without significant symptoms. No serious complications occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

The strategy of FDO combined with Ilizarov fixation could provide powerful ability and good flexibility for correcting femoral multiplanar deformities without significant complications.

Treatment of rotational tibial malunion after minimal invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO): Corrective osteotomy with original plate retention (PR-Osteotomy)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Residual axial and rotational deformities in tibial shaft fracture, after minimally invasive osteosynthesis (MIO) treatment, are widely described in literature. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of evidence about the malunion treatment strategies and results. The aim of our study is to present an innovative technique for tibial shaft malunion: a derotational proximal tibial osteotomy without removing the original plate (Plate-Retaining-Osteotomy: PR-Osteotomy).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We present the results of two consecutive patients' treatment, affected by tibial shaft fracture malunion, as sequelae of MIO treatment. The two patients, male 60 years old and female 39 years old, underwent previous surgical treatment with an average of 9 months span time before surgical revision. The affected limb showed significant external torsional defect associated with gait impairment, pain and limping. The amount of rotational deformity and the bone healing condition is assessed through a methodical preoperative planning, including weight bearing lower limbs Xray and bilateral computed tomography (CT) scan of the lower limbs. The surgical technique involves a monoplanar tibial osteotomy, in a perpendicular fashion to the tibial axis, at a level that would allow at least 3 proximal screw-holes to become available for subsequent fixation. Proximal to the osteotomy line the screws are removed, while the distal ones, if stable after testing, are left in place. The amount of torsional correction, planned on CT, is reproduced intraoperatively with the assistance of graduated templates. A fibular osteotomy may be performed if required. After temporary stabilization, the correct functional reduction is checked with the aid of fluoroscopy and empirical rod measurement, using the contralateral limb alignment as a reference. Once the desired correction is achieved, absolute stability is applied to the osteotomy site. Postoperative rehabilitation protocol involves partial weight bearing for 6-8 weeks with progression to full weight bearing by 10-12 weeks.

RESULTS

Both patients showed complete osteotomy healing at the 13th and 16th week respectively, with no complications and full recovery of normal gait and daily life activities.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this is the first description of such surgical technique. Less invasiveness, fast recovery time and cost reductions are the foremost proposed benefits. Further larger case series with longer follow up are needed to assess the advantages of the proposed treatment strategy.

New insights in lower limb reconstruction strategies

High Energy Musculoskeletal Traumas (HEMTs) represent a relevant problem for healthcare systems, considering the high social costs, and both the high morbidity and mortality. The poor outcomes associated with HEMT are related to the high incidence of complications, including bone infection, fracture malunion and non-union. The treatment of each of these complications could be extremely difficult. Limb reconstruction often needs multiple procedures, rising some questions on the opportunity in perseverate to try to save the affected limb. In fact, theoretically, amputation may guarantee better function and lower complications. However, amputation is not free of complication, and a high long-term social cost has been reported. A comprehensive literature review was performed to suggest possible ways to optimize the limb preservation surgeries of HEMT's complications in order to ameliorate their management.

Distal Tibial Metaphyseal Malunion Treated with Clamshell Osteotomy: A Case Report

CASE

Here, we describe a case of a 49-year-old female patient with a history of hypertension and polysubstance use disorder presenting with a distal tibial metaphyseal malunion treated with a clamshell osteotomy. Her follow-up was 2.5 years long.

CONCLUSION

Malunions in the tibial diaphysis and distal metaphysis can cause significantly increased joint reaction forces and altered gait mechanics leading to cosmetic dissatisfaction and decreased quality of life for these patients. Correction of these deformities can improve patient satisfaction and quality of life, along with decrease the risk of early arthritis. The clamshell osteotomy, although initially described to treat diaphyseal long bone malunions, can safely be performed for treatment of complex periarticular metaphyseal malunions.

The Flipping-Wedge Osteotomy: How 3D Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP) Suggested a Simple and Promising Type of Osteotomy in Pediatric Post-Traumatic Forearm Deformity

(1) Background: The application of computer-aided planning in the surgical treatment of post-traumatic forearm deformities has been increasingly widening the range of techniques over the last two decades. We present the “flipping-wedge osteotomy”, a promising geometrical approach to correct uniapical deformities defined during our experience with virtual surgical planning (VSP); (2) Methods: a case of post-traumatic distal radius deformity (magnitude 43°) treated with a flipping-wedge osteotomy in an 11-year-old girl is reported, presenting the planning rationale, its geometrical demonstration, and the outcome of the procedure; (3) Results: surgery achieved correction of both the angular and rotational deformities with a neutral ulnar variance; (4) Conclusions: flipping-wedge osteotomy may be a viable option to achieve correction in forearm deformities, and it deserves further clinical investigation.

The treatment of a femoral shaft fracture in patients with a previous post-traumatic femoral deformity using a Clamshell osteotomy

The aim of this study was to assess the safety and clinical outcome of patients with a femoral shaft fracture and a previous complex post-traumatic femoral malunion who were treated with a clamshell osteotomy and fixation with an intramedullary nail (IMN). The study involved a retrospective analysis of 23 patients. All had a previous, operatively managed, femoral shaft fracture with malunion due to hardware failure. They were treated with a clamshell osteotomy between May 2015 and March 2020. The mean age was 42.6 years (26 to 62) and 15 (65.2%) were male. The mean follow-up was 2.3 years (1 to 5). Details from their medical records were analyzed. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the quality of correction of the deformity, functional recovery, the healing time of the fracture, and complications. The mean length of time between the initial injury and surgery was 4.5 years (3 to 10). The mean operating time was 2.8 hours (2.05 to 4.4)), and the mean blood loss was 850 ml (650 to 1,020). Complications occurred in five patients (21.7%): two with wound necrosis, and three with deep vein thrombosis. The mean coronal deformity was significantly corrected from 17.78° (SD 4.62°) preoperatively to 1.35° (SD 1.72°) postoperatively (p < 0.001), and the mean sagittal deformity was significantly corrected from 20.65° (SD 5.88°) preoperatively to 1.61° (SD 1.95°; p < 0.001) postoperatively. The mean leg length discrepancy was significantly corrected from 3.57 cm (SD 1.27) preoperatively to 1.13 cm (SD 0.76) postoperatively (p < 0.001). All fractures healed at a mean of seven months (4 to 12) postoperatively. The mean Lower Extremity Functional Scale score improved significantly from 45.4 (SD 9.1) preoperatively to 66.2 (SD 5.5) postoperatively (p < 0.001). Partial cortical nonunion in the deformed segment occurred in eight patients (34.8%) and healed at a mean of 2.4 years (2 to 3) postoperatively. A clamshell osteotomy combined with IMN fixation in the treatment of patients with a femoral shaft fracture and a previous post-traumatic femoral malunion achieved excellent outcomes. Partial cortical nonunions in the deformed segment also healed satisfactorily.

Treatment of a Diaphyseal Tibial Malunion with Use of the Clamshell Osteotomy

Malunion, nonunion, congenital abnormalities, and osteometabolic diseases are the main causes of long bone deformities¹. Although the exact incidence is unclear, it is estimated that about 10% of all fractures have some complication in terms of fracture-healing. In addition to the aesthetic impact, malunions generally substantially impair function and quality of life¹. Every malunion is unique, and treatment is usually planned according to the degree of deformity and the postoperative expectations of the patient². However, it is noteworthy that deformity correction usually requires a high degree of surgical expertise. Several techniques have been proposed over the years, and new techniques that utilize current technologies are available, such as computer-assisted single-cut osteotomy³. In 2009, Russell et al. proposed the clamshell technique for diaphyseal malunions^4-6. This technique is our preferred treatment for diaphyseal malunions and acute fractures in the setting of a previous malunion or deformity. The following videos will thoroughly describe the steps to perform this useful and effective surgical technique for malunion correction.

Description

The key principle of the "clamshell osteotomy" is to create a comminuted fracture at the malunion site and utilize an intramedullary rod as a template for deformity correction^4,5.

Alternatives

Multiple osteotomy types and fixation methods are currently available for diaphyseal malunion correction. Among the osteotomies, opening or closing wedge, uniplanar, multiplanar, oblique, and dome methods may be utilized. In addition, several fixation methods can be utilized, including plates and screws, intramedullary rods, and external fixators^2,6.

Rationale

The clamshell technique is a useful and effective treatment option for diaphyseal malunions of the lower extremity. The ability to utilize an intramedullary nail as a template for deformity correction makes the procedure simpler than previously described techniques, which require perfect preoperative planning to avoid over- and undercorrection. The versatility of this procedure justifies its incorporation into the therapeutic arsenal for treatment of complex diaphyseal malunions.

Expected Outcomes

To our knowledge, all previously reported cases utilizing the clamshell osteotomy have resulted in positive outcomes^4-6. Russell et al. presented a case series of 10 patients with posttraumatic diaphyseal malunions (4 femoral and 6 tibial), in which all patients showed coronal and sagittal-plane correction to within 4°, limb-length inequality correction to within 2 cm, and complete correction of translation, rotation, and joint-line orientation angles⁴. In addition, all osteotomies healed uneventfully. The reported complications included broken interlocking screws in 1 case, need for dynamization in 1 case, and superficial wound dehiscence in 2 cases (1 of which required surgical debridement). Pires et al. presented 4 cases of clamshell osteotomies performed for the treatment of acute fractures in the setting of a previous malunion. All osteotomies healed by 15 months (mean time to healing [and standard deviation], 6.8 ± 4.4)⁶. One of these 4 cases was a Gustilo-Anderson grade-IIIB open fracture that required muscle flap coverage and a subsequent Hernigou procedure⁶. When discussing treatment options with patients, it is important to clarify that there is currently no clear best technique to treat complex malunions; however, the clamshell osteotomy is a simpler procedure compared with others that have previously been described and has the benefits of quick rehabilitation and good deformity correction without the drawbacks of an external fixator^4-6.

Important Tips

Preserve the blood supply in the opposite cortex.Close the fascia before reaming the medullary canal.Do not ream the osteotomy site.Be sure to perform a bicortical osteotomy.Create a stable construct.

The Clamshell Osteotomy for Diaphyseal Malunion in Deformity Correction and Fracture Surgery

Diaphyseal malunion poses a great challenge for the orthopedic surgeon, and an inundation of morbidity for the patient. Diaphyseal malunion can cause altered gait, adjacent joint osteoarthritis and body dissatisfaction. This problem is fraught with complications without surgical intervention. There is a myriad of options for the management of a diaphyseal malunion. The clamshell osteotomy was engendered to ameliorate the difficulty in managing this issue. This technique is a viable option to correct diaphyseal malunion about the femur and tibia. Recently, the indications of a clamshell osteotomy have been expanded to function as a derotational or shortening osteotomy.

Clamshell Osteotomy for Acute Fractures in the Malunion Setting: A Technical Note

Surgical management of lower extremity malunions and acute fractures in the setting of lower extremity deformities presents a unique challenge for orthopaedic surgeons. The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of using the clamshell osteotomy in patients with acute fractures involving a malunion or deformity. A retrospective review of the cases performed by various orthopaedic traumatologists at 4 different trauma centers was performed to identify cases using the clamshell osteotomy from January 2012 to January 2016. Nine clamshell osteotomy cases were identified, 4 presenting fractures in the setting of previous malunions. All osteotomies healed within 15 months (average 6.8 ± 4.4 SD). In this multicenter case series, we demonstrate that using clamshell osteotomies can result in excellent outcomes for permitting intramedullary nailing of acute fractures in patients with lower extremity deformity.

Diaphyseal osteotomy after post-traumatic malalignment

Tibia and femur shaft fractures can sometimes lead to post-traumatic deformities. Correction by means of circular external frames is a valuable option. The aim of this article is to give an overview of the problem and to focus on some important technical issues of the preoperative planning, the surgical procedures, and the postsurgical management of circular external fixators.

Femoral deformity planning: intentional placement of the apex of deformity

Traditionally, correction of femoral deformity has been performed with osteotomies through the center of rotation of angulation (CORA), but the CORA location is not always practical. If the osteotomy is created at a site adjacent to the CORA, an additional translation must be performed to accurately correct the deformity. However, at times, the ideal osteotomy site may require an unfeasible amount of translation. Multiple osteotomies may also be problematic, and when overcorrection of the mechanical axis is planned, the CORA method is not practical.This article describes a novel method by which the surgeon may choose the location of the osteotomy regardless of the location of the CORA and may consolidate a multiapical deformity into a single corrective osteotomy. Furthermore, intentional mechanical axis overcorrection may be performed to unload knee joint arthritis. Simple, complex, and multiapical deformities may now be corrected via a single familiar surgical procedure, such as a distal femoral osteotomy, and the need for translation is eliminated.