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Ulnar Shortening Osteotomy: Are Complications Under Reported?

  • Original Article
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Journal of Hand and Microsurgery

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Abstract

Ulnar shortening osteotomy is an accepted treatment for ulnar impaction syndrome and numerous techniques for have been described in the literature. We present our single surgeon case series over 10 years of oblique ulnar shortening osteotomy using a jig technique. A review of the current literature with reference to the risk of complications is included. All patients undergoing ulnar shortening osteotomy from 2001 to 2011 were identified and case-notes were reviewed retrospectively. Risks of complications included metalwork irritation (51 %), non-union (6.3 %), refracture (1.6 %) and chronic regional pain syndrome (1.6 %). Oblique ulnar osteotomy using a jig technique is reliable and reproducible in shortening the ulna and maintaining alignment, rotation and compression at the osteotomy site. Symptoms improved in the majority of patients. However, the morbidity associated with the procedure may be underestimated as highlighted by our complication rates. Surgeons should counsel patients appropriately when offering ulnar shortening osteotomy.

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Compliance with Ethical Standards:

There was no funding for this study.

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

For this type of study formal consent is not required.

Conflict of Interest Statement

SKL Chan declares that he has no conflict of interest.

T Singh declares that he has no conflict of interest.

R Pinder declares that he has no conflict of interest.

S Tan declares that he has no conflict of interest.

MA Craigen declares that he has no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol Road South, Birmingham, B31 2AP, UK

    Samuel K. L. Chan, T. Singh, R Pinder, S. Tan & M. A. Craigen

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  1. Samuel K. L. Chan
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  2. T. Singh
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  3. R Pinder
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  4. S. Tan
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  5. M. A. Craigen
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Correspondence to Samuel K. L. Chan.

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Chan, S.K.L., Singh, T., Pinder, R. et al. Ulnar Shortening Osteotomy: Are Complications Under Reported?. J Hand Microsurg 7, 276–282 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12593-015-0201-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12593-015-0201-7

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