[Original valgus tibial osteotomy by internal opening and without loss of bone contact. Technique and incidence of consolidation speed: a preliminary series of 33 cases].

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: We propose an original open wedge medial osteotomy of the upper tibia. This new technique, unlike conventional open wedge osteotomies, allows a large bone contact surface without requiring graft filling.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: The new technique is based on two anterior and posterior hemi-osteotomies instead of the single osteotomy with the classical technique. The two hemi-osteotomies join laterally but start medially at very different heights on the tibia. The two hemi-osteotomies open a wedge but nevertheless lead to a very large bone contact due to the slippage in a frontal connecting frontal osteotomy. The technique uses a cutting guide to allow perfect orientation meeting the requirements of the operative plan. We studied prospectively the first 33 patients who underwent this new procedure in two centers (Jouvenet Clinic and Tenon Hospital, Paris). We report here the effect on healing time.

RESULTS

There was one failure (retarded healing and partial loss of correction) due to incomprehension of the postoperative instructions. The other 32 cases consolidated in 45 days. No graft filling was needed.