Background Cubitus varus deformity in adults most commonly occurs as a late complication resulting from malunion of distal humeral fractures sustained during childhood. This deformity can cause cosmetic problems and anatomical deformities that hinder normal sports activities and potentially lead to long-term complications. Although various surgical techniques exist for correcting cubitus varus, this study investigated the clinical and functional outcomes of reverse V step-cut osteotomy.
Methods In total, 15 patients underwent surgical treatment with reverse V step-cut osteotomy between 2012 and 2023. The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 46.3 years (range, 20–65 years). The preoperative carrying angle was ‒11.09° of varus, which was corrected to +12.81° of valgus postoperatively. The mean preoperative lateral prominence index (LPI) was ‒10.03, and the mean postoperative LPI improved to ‒4.48. A comparison to the unaffected side showed a P-value of 0.978, indicating similarity.
Results Preoperatively, eight patients exhibited signs of posterolateral rotatory instability, and among them, three underwent concomitant lateral ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction. Seven patients reported ulnar nerve symptoms, and all underwent concurrent ulnar nerve release. Postoperatively, improvements in elbow pain, instability, and ulnar nerve symptoms were observed. One patient required reoperation due to malunion and insufficient correction, but no other complications were noted.
Conclusions These outcomes demonstrate that reverse V step-cut osteotomy can be an effective treatment method for cubitus varus deformity in adults.
Level of evidence: IV.
PURPOSE evaluate the radiologic and clinical results of modified step-cut osteotomy for correction of cubitus varus deformity in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS We analysed 16 children who had varus deformity preoperatively and received modified step-cut osteotomy. The results were evaluated by final follow-up radiographs and clinical results, which were humeral-elbow-wrist angle, lateral prominence, range of motion and complications. RESULTS The average preoperative humeral-elbow-wrist (HEW) angle was -15.8degrees and average last follow-up HEW angle was +6.7degrees Lateral prominence under 5 mm occurred in 3 cases and one children showed limited motion and transient ulna neuropathy. CONCLUSION The results demonstrate that modified step-cut osteotomy achieve good correction of cubitus varus without lateral bony prominence or complications.
PURPOSE To investigate the usefulness of closing wedge osteotomy with threaded steinmann pin and wiring for the treatment of cubitus varus deformity after elbow fracture during childhood. MATERIALS AND METHODS From February 1994 to February 2002. We performed closing wedge osteotomy with threaded steinmann pin and wiring in 16 elbows with cubitus varus deformity. There are 11 men and 5 women. Mean age was 21.6 years and mean follow-up was 19.2 months. Mean deformed carrying angle was varus 21.7 degree. Mean period from initial injury to treatment was 16.5 years. RESULTS Mean angle that was corrected by above operation methods was valgus 12 degree. Average periods of immobilization was 27.8 days. One tardy ulnar nerve syndrome before surgery was solved at 8 weeks after operation. 2 cases with superficial infection was treated easily. 14 cases of all were estimated as good with Oppenheim's criteria. CONCLUSION Closing wedge osteotomy with threaded steinmann pin and wiring makes early range of motion exercise being possible as rigid fixation. The supracondylar closing wedge osteotomy with threaded Steinmann pin and wiring is thought to be the useful method.
PURPOSE We tried to find the cause of cubitus varus after treatment of fracture separation of the distal humeral epiphysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS We reviewed 13 cases of fracture-separation of the distal humeral epiphysis. Five cases were treated by open reduction and K-wire fixation, 8 cases were treated by closed reduction and K-wire fixation. Six cases of cubitus varus were evaluated. RESULTS With the average 27 months(14-96 months) of follow-up, six of 13 cases showed cubitus varus postoperatively and mean carrying angle was -6.7 degrees(range -3~-15 degrees). None of these cases showed the progression of deformity after then. Among the six cases, five cases were treated with closed reduction, and one case with open reduction. Average age of the cubitus varus cases was 31 months (14-60 months). Among the six cases, four cases were Salter-Hams type I and two cases were type II. CONCLUSION Incomplete reduction seems to be the cause of cubitus varus in fracture-separation of the distal humeral epiphysis, so the anatomical reduction is important to prevent the cubitus varus.
We reviewed retrospectively 53 cases of supracondylar fracture of humerus in children which were severely displaced(Gartland type III). All patients were treated with closed reduction and percutaneous pinning. Purpose of this study is to evaluate the residual effect of incompletely reduced fragment, especially of rotation of distal fragment(represented by fish-tail sign) on clinical relults. The quality of reduction was determined by carrying angle, varus tilting, existence of fish-tail sign and medial displacement. Of the 53 elbows, fish tail signs only presented in twelve cases(50.0%), medial tilting combined with fish tail in five(20.8%) and medial displacements in seven cases(29.2%). Final results by Flynn et al. were as follows; Excellent was in 40 cases(15.9%), Good in 6(11.3%), Fair in 1(1.8%), poor in 6(11.3%). Six cases of poor outcomes resulted from cubitus varus deformed elbow, of which cubitus varus deformity developed in 5 cases of medial tilted distal fragment, one developed in medially displaced fragment, and cases presented with fish tail sign(rotation of distal fragment) had no contribution to cubitus varus deformity yielding acceptable clinical results. In conclusion, even though the quantification of fish tail sign is needed, fish tail sign only presenting on fluorscopy might be acceptable in operative room.
Cubitus varus is the most common angular deformity that results from supracondylar fractures in children. Although this deformity rarely limit elbow function, the correction is frequently requested due to cosmetic problem. This paper was prepared to describe the operative method and to evaluate the clinical results of tension band wirinB after distal humeral supracondylar osteotomy for cubitus varus. The result was evaluated using Oppenheim criteria. Excellent or good cases were 94.4%. We concluded that tension band wiring is a satisfactory method of treatment for cubitus varus.
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Evaluation of tension-band osteosynthesis for cubitus varus deformity in pediatric patients: A retrospective review Man Duc Minh Phan, Terry Richard Light, Tiep Van Phan, Phi Duong Nguyen Journal of Hand and Microsurgery.2025; 17(2): 100213. CrossRef
Between December 1989 and january 1944, 17 corrective supracondylar osteotomy of humerus for cubitus varus and valgus were performed at department of orthopaedic surgery in Yeugnam University. Supracondylar fracture was the most common cause of deformity Average age at operation was 18.6 years old and average follow up period was 14 months. The operation was done under the comprehensive preoperative plan, and Internal fixation was done with K-w,res ,n younger patients, and with plates and screws in elder ones(77%). Period for external fixation could be shortened by firm internal fixation. The result was exllent in nine cases, good in four, and poor in four. No ulna and radial nerve palsy were found in operation of cubitus varus. There were three tardy ulna nerve palsy In cubitus valgus, then anterior transposition of ulna nerve was done.
Cubitus varus deformity is the most common complication of supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children. For the correction of this deformity, three basic types of osteotomies were known. Among them, the lateral closing wedge osteotomy is the easiest, safest and the most stable method. After osteotomy, the methods of fixation are plate fixation, crossed kirschner wires, staple, and French techniques. Between 1987 and 1991, 15 corrective supracondylar osteotomy of the humerus in adults were perromed at department of orthopaedic surgery inje University, Paik hoshpital Pusan, Korea. All were fixed with plate and screws. From this small series of retrospective study, the authors concluded that plate fixation is good method for the prevention of complication after osteotomy and results are satisfactory.
The fracture around the elbow is frequent in the children. The cubitus varus and cubitus valgus deformities are the common late complications of the elbow fracture. The reason of correction for these problem is not the elbow fuction, but the cosmetic problem of tardy ulnar nerve palsy.
We performed five supracondylar osteotomies that are modification of Milch osteotomy from Mar, 1988 to Jan, 1989 of which four cases were cubitus varus and one case was cubitus valgus at In Chon Christian Hospital.
The results were as follows; 1. the cubitus varus deformities were four cases and the cubitus balus deformity was one.
2. The injuries were supracondylar fractures of the humerus for the cubitus varus and lateral condyle fracture of the humerus for the cubitus valgus.
3. The result was excellent by modified Milch osteotomy with derotation in the case of rotational deformity.
4. In adult, the bone healing was promoted by deepening the triangular shaped notch in the Milch osteotomy by widening the contact surface.