Acortamiento cubital. Contribución del sistema guiado para osteotomía y síntesis

Abstract

ObjectivesUlnar shortening is a surgical technique used for impaction and ulno-carpal pain conditions. Traditionally, the ulna is osteotomized freehand and osteosynthesis is completed using compression plates that are not specifically designed for this intervention. There are now systems available intended to make the work of the surgeon easier by using osteotomy guides and compression plates. These are created for performing an accurate cut and achieving a suitable reduction and stability in the cut. The main aim of this article is to determine whether the use of a guided system can achieve better results compared with the previous technique. Material and methodsBetween 2004 and 2008, ulnar shortening was performed at our Hospital without the use of a guided system, whereas, from 2008 onwards, use of the guided technique was implemented. A descriptive study was conducted on 37 surgeries, 19 unguided, 18 guided, focused on operation time, range of movement, and removal of osteosynthesis material. ResultsFollowing a statistical analysis of the data, it was observed that there was only a statistically significant difference between both groups for the variable operation time. Therefore surgery without the specific cutting and osteosynthesis system took twenty-one minutes longer on average than surgery using the specific system. No statistical difference was seen in the other variables. ConclusionIn ulnar shortening, specific systems for osteotomy and synthesis do not prevent the complications typically linked to this surgical technique. Even so, they do reduce operation time without affecting the outcomes in comparison with traditional methods.