[Correction of forearm deformities in children with multiple cartilaginous osteochondromas].
OBJECTIVE
Deformity of the forearm with shortening and bowing is common in children with multiple cartilaginous osteochondromas. The objective of this study was to evaluate the benefit of ulnar lengthening using an external fixateur in these patients.


METHODS
9 patients (10 cases) underwent surgery of the forearm between 1995 and 2001 and were evaluated using a standard protocol. The mean follow-up was 33.6 months, the mean age at operation 8.9 years. All patients were treated with ulnar lengthening, in 6 cases combined with an excision of the osteochondromas.


RESULTS
Four out of ten patients did show an improvement in postoperative forearm rotation, two deteriorated and 4 presented unchanged. Wrist motion improved in 7 patients and remained unchanged in 3. The postoperative radial articular angle showed an improvement in 6, the carpal slip in 9 of the patients. The preoperative radial head dislocation in one patient remained unchanged postoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors advocate this therapeutic concept for the correction of forearm deformity in multiple hereditary osteochondromas to prevent a progression of the deformity and to establish carpal stability. A significant improvement of forearm and wrist function could not be reached.
Ettl
V
V
Orthopädische Klinik, König-Ludwig-Haus, Lehrstuhl für Orthopädie, Würzburg, Deutschland.
Wild
A
A
Thorey
F
F
Kirschner
S
S
Krauspe
R
R
Raab
P
P
D001852:Bone Lengthening / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002356:Cartilage; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005097:Exostoses, Multiple Hereditary / Q000150:complications*; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014457:Ulna / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*