Objectives: 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.
Patients and 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.
Conclusion: Reverse V distal humerus osteotomy is a simple procedure with low complication rates and excellent results in childhood cubitus varus deformity correction.