Objective To explore the effectiveness of distal humeral dual-planar osteotomy followed with distal humeral lateral column anotomical locking plate fixation in the treatment of adult cubitus varus deformity combined with flexion restriction. Methods The clinical data of 6 adult patients with cubitus varus deformity and flexion restriction treated with dual-planar osteotomy and internal fixation between April 2012 and September 2014 were reviewed. There were 3 males and 3 females with an average age of 22.2 years (range, 18-35 years). All the patients had history of elbow injury in childhood, the age being injured was 6.5 years on average (range, 2-13 years). There was no nerve injury, elbow strength weak, or unstable complications before admission. The preoperative elbow flexion was (107.50±5.24)°, elbow extension was (–12.17±3.48)°; the carring angle was (–19.50±4.46)°, the contralateral elbow carrying angle was (11.50±2.67)°; the length of humerus was (0.42±0.38) cm shorter than the unaffected humerus. The postoperative carrying angles, elbow flexion and extension, and humerus length were recorded. The modified Laupattarakasem criteria in which the comparison of bilateral elbow range of motion excluded was used to evaluate the results. Results Primary healing of incision was got in all patients and there was no early postoperative complications. All the patients were followed up 19-27 months (mean, 20.8 months). During the follow-up, there was no complication such as loosening and breakage of the internal fixators and all fractures were healed within 3 months after operation. At last follow-up, the elbow flexion was (124.17±5.85)°, the elbow extension was (0.83±2.04)°, the carrying angle was (12.00±4.19)°, and the humerus shortening was (1.88±0.45) cm, all showing significant difference when compared with preoperative ones (t=–6.742, P=0.001; t=–11.068, P=0.000; t=–20.400, P=0.000; t=–13.914, P=0.000). According to the modified Laupattarakasem criteria, 1 case was excellent, 4 were good, and 1 was fair with an excellent and good rate of 83.3%. Conclusion Normal carrying angle can be restored and elbow flexion can be increased by coronal closing wedge and sagittal trapezoid dual-planar osteotomy, single lateral anatomical locking plate fixation is available for early mobilization.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness between paratricipital approach and chevron olecranon V osteotomy approach for the treatment of type C3 (AO/OTA) distal humeral fractures and investigate the details of operation.MethodsBetween April 2010 and September 2016, 36 type C3 (AO/OTA) distal humeral fractures were treated with open reduction and bicolumnar orthogonal locking plating fixation by paratricipital approach and chevron olecranon V osteotomy approach respectively. The patients were divided into 2 groups by approach, there were 17 cases in paratricipital group (group A) and the bicolumns and distal humeral joint surface were exposed by traction of triceps and olecranon, and the distal humeral joint surface of the 19 cases in chevron olecranon V osteotomy group (group B) were exposed by osteotomy of the olecranon and reversing of triceps. There was no significant difference in gender, age, dominant side, interval between injury and surgery, causes of injury between 2 groups (P>0.05). Patients were followed up, the postoperative range of motion of elbow joint, strength, pain, and stability in 2 groups were documented and compared; the elbow joint function was evaluated according to Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS).ResultsThe operation time of group A [(115.0±10.4) minutes] was less than that of group B [(121.0±12.3) minutes], but there was no significant difference (t=–1.580, P=0.123). All patients in 2 groups got over 1 year follow-up and there was no significant difference of the follow-up time between 2 groups (t=–0.843, P=0.405). There was 1 case of heterotopic ossification in each group; 1 case of incision infection in group A and 1 case of incision superficial infection in group B, and were cured after 2 weeks of intravenous antibiotics administration. There was no other operative complications in the 2 groups. At 3 months after operation, all the distal humerus healed. At last follow-up, the elbow flexion extension range of groups A and B were (102.0±12.6)° and (99.5±10.1)° respectively, showing no significant difference (t=–0.681, P=0.501). The MEPS scores of groups A and B were 82.9±7.3 and 81.3±7.2 respectively, showing no significant difference (t=0.670, P=0.507); and the evaluation grade also showed no significant difference between 2 groups (Z=–0.442, P=0.659).ConclusionBy paratricipital approach and proper traction of the olecranon, the distal humeral articular surface can be exposed in the operation of type C3 distal humeral fractures, followed with same stable fixation after reduction, the effectiveness is equal to by chevron olecranon V osteotomy approach.