A simple technique for correction of complicated tibial deformity including rotational deformity

Although the simplest way to correct bone deformity is one-stage correction, the problem associated with that method is overstretching of the soft tissues, which limits the correction and leads to complications such as compartment syndrome or peripheral nerve palsy. If an adequate amount of tissue necessary for correction is formed in advance, the deformity can be corrected safely at one stage without overstretching of the tissues. A leg lengthening technique was employed to form the necessary tissues. After leg lengthening with an unilateral external fixator (Hifixator), deformities were corrected manually at one stage without anesthesia, and the corrected positions were again secured with the fixator. To correct rotational deformity, two sets of pins were inserted into the proximal bone fragment of the tibia at the time of the operation, and after lengthening the proximal pin clamp of the fixator was disconnected from one pin set and reconnected to the other set. We applied this method to four tibias of three patients without any complications. The tension of the tissues was monitored using a pressure sensor built into a Hifixator to prevent the tissues from overstretching. During and after the correction, the tension of the tissue was maintained at less than before the correction. If adequate tissues necessary for correction are formed in advance, however, the deformity can be corrected safely in a single stage without overstretching of the tissues. We developed a simple means of correcting complicated tibial deformity in one stage, employing a leg lengthening technique to form necessary tissues.