Ulnar osteotomy is the only required procedure for chronic monteggia fracture in children.

Abstract

Objective: To determine containment of radial head after ulnar osteotomy in chronic Monteggia fractures. Study Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Children Hospital and The Institute of Child Health, Lahore. Period: 2019 to January 2020. Material & Methods: Ten patients presented in outdoor patient department with a diagnosis of chronic Monteggia fracture. Four patients were labelled as missed Monteggia fractures, four with late presented Monteggia fractures and two with inadequately treated Monteggia fractures. Bado and Letts classifications were applied for patients. Mean age was 6 years and 8 months and ranged from 4 to 10 years. Mean time interval between injury and admission was 6.1 months. Open reduction of radial head and ulnar osteotomy was done through Boyed approach. Transcapitellar wire was inserted temporarily and then removed so it is not required permanently. The ulnar osteotomy was angulated opposite to the direction of radial head dislocation and fixed with plate and screws. Results: 10 patients were included in this study. The age range was between 4 and 10 years. The study period was six months and follow up was one year. Mean ulnar angulation at osteotomy site was 21.3° (16-25°). Mean ulnar lengthening at osteotomy site was 0.85 cm (0.5-1.8 cm).Improvement in flexion-extension was 20.3%, pronation was 5.1% and supination was 13.7%. Complications included were nounion in 1 case and cubitus valgus in 1 case. Conclusion: Containment of radial head is obtained by open reduction of radial head and with ulnar osteotomy in chronic Monteggia fractures. Annular ligament reconstruction and transcapitellar wire insertion are not required if proper angulation and fixation of ulnar osteotomy is performed. No age limit for this procedure but surgery should be performed before radial head deformation.