Surgical Correction of Cubitus Varus

Abstract

Cubitus varus can arise from distal humerus fractures in childhood as a result of malunion, nonunion, or overgrowth. Several types of distal humerus osteotomies have been described to treat this deformity, each with its own benefits, drawbacks, and complications. This article details the surgical technique and expected outcomes for 4 of the most commonly used types of distal humerus osteotomies in the treatment of cubitus varus. Specifically, we will describe the techniques for the lateral closing-wedge osteotomy, the step-cut osteotomy and its variations, the dome osteotomy and its variations, and the multiplanar osteotomy.

Keywords: Cubitus varus; dome; elbow; osteotomy; step-cut.