Treatment of post-traumatic elbow deformities in children with the Ilizarov distraction osteogenesis technique

Abstract

Objective: The present study assessed functional and radiographic outcomes of distraction osteogenesistreatment of post-traumatic elbow deformities in children.Methods: Eight children were treated between 2008 and 2013 for post-traumatic elbow deformitiesusing distraction osteogenesis. Mean age at time of operation was 10.9 years. Six patients had varus and 2had valgus deformity. Magnitude of correction,Şxator index, complications, carrying angle, and elbowrange of motion were assessed. Functional results were graded according to protocol of Bellemore et al.Results: Mean follow-up was 43 months. Mean preoperative varus deformity in 6 patients was 29.2andvalgus deformity in 2 patients was 28.5. Preoperativeflexion and extension of elbow were 123.8and 10.6, respectively. Mean carrying angle was 9valgus at last follow-up. Meanflexion andextension were 134.4and 6.0, respectively. Change in carrying angle was statistically signiŞcant(p¼ 0.002). There were 2 grade 1 pin tract infections and 1 diaphyseal fracture of humerus. Functionaloutcome was rated excellent in 7 patients and good in 1 patient.Conclusion: Ilizarov distraction osteogenesis is a valuable alternative in treatment of elbow deformitiesin children. The surgical technique is simple and correction is adjustable. Gradual correction preventspossible neurovascular complications and minimally invasive surgery produces less scarring. Complianceof patient and family is key factor in the success of the outcome.Level of evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study© 2016 Turkish Association of Orthopaedics and Traumatology. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. This isan open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)