Oblique Lateral Closing-Wedge Osteotomy for Cubitus Varus in Skeletally Immature Children: A Case Series.

INTRODUCTION

Cubitus varus is the most common late complication following displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children and is primarily caused by malunion. Although often considered cosmetic, it may lead to functional impairment and long-term complications. Corrective osteotomy remains the standard treatment, with multiple techniques described. This study evaluates the clinical and radiological outcomes of oblique lateral closing wedge osteotomy in pediatric patients.

CASE SERIES: This case series includes five pediatric patients (2 males, 3 females; mean age 7.6 years) with post-traumatic cubitus varus deformity who underwent corrective osteotomy using the oblique lateral closing wedge technique. All patients were operated on at least 1 year after the initial injury. The mean preoperative angle of correction was 25.2° (range: 20-40°). Fixation was achieved using lateral-entry Kirschner wires. At 1-year follow-up, all patients demonstrated radiological union, restoration of carrying angle comparable to the contralateral side, and good to excellent functional outcomes based on the Mayo Elbow Performance Score.

CONCLUSION

Oblique lateral closing wedge osteotomy is a simple, safe, and reproducible technique for correcting cubitus varus deformity in children. It provides reliable deformity correction, satisfactory functional outcomes, and improved cosmetic alignment while minimizing complications. This represents a preliminary case series evaluating the technique and warrants validation in larger studies.