[The results of reverse V osteotomy of the distal humerus for the correction of childhood cubitus varus deformity].
OBJECTIVE
In the present study we evaluated the radiological and cosmetical results of reverse V osteotomy of the distal humerus for the correction of childhood cubitus varus deformity.


METHODS
Nine children (8 boys, 1 girl; mean age 9.3 years; range 4 to 16 years) treated with reverse V osteotomy between June 2004 - February 2007 were included in this study. The indication for surgery in all cases was cosmetic deformity. After the resection of a triangular bone segment, the entire distal humerus and forearm was rotated laterally to correct the deformity. Fixation was achieved with two lateral and one medial Kirschner wires. Postoperatively a posterior splint was applied in 90 degrees of elbow flexion in all cases. The results were assessed according to the criteria of Oppenheim.


RESULTS
According to Oppenheim criteria, seven children had excellent and two had good results. The mean preoperative and postoperative humeral-elbow-wrist angle was -19.3 degrees (-12 degrees /-30 degrees ) and -2.4 degrees (-8 degrees /+3 degrees ), respectively. There were no short and long term complications except a transient radial nerve palsy in one case that resolved in three weeks spontaneously.


CONCLUSIONS
Reverse V distal humerus osteotomy is a simple procedure with low complication rates and excellent results in childhood cubitus varus deformity correction.
Oner
Mithat
M
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Medicine Faculty of Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey. moner@erciyes.edu.tr
Güney
Ahmet
A
Halici
Mehmet
M
Türk
Cemil Yildirim
CY
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods*; D012399:Rotation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology