Distal humeral flexion osteotomy for the treatment of supracondylar extension-type malunions in children.

ABSTRACT

Distal humeral extension-type malunions may occur as a complication following improper reduction of supracondylar humerus fractures. We evaluated results after distal humeral flexion osteotomies for sagittal realignment of the humeral condyle in children. Medical records and radiographs of all patients younger than 18 years of age, who underwent this procedure because of a clinically relevant lack of elbow flexion, were evaluated. In a cohort of 18 children with a mean age of 8 years at the time of surgery and a mean follow-up duration of 1 year, elbow flexion increased significantly from a mean of 101° preoperatively to 126° at the final follow-up; established radiographic parameters (e.g. anterior humeral line, humerocondylar angle) were normalized as well. The distal humeral flexion osteotomy is a reliable method to efficiently correct extension-type malunions and improve impaired elbow flexion in children.