Early Results of 3-Dimensional Planning and Customized Cutting Guides for the Treatment of Severe Madelung Deformity.

Purpose: Surgical treatment of Madelung deformity can present challenges due to a need for multiplanar correction. Developing customized cutting guides for osteotomies may improve surgical outcomes by enhancing the surgeon's understanding and surgical correction.

Methods: All patients who underwent forearm osteotomies for Madelung deformity using computed tomography planning with 3-dimensional-printed customized cutting guides were retrospectively reviewed (n = 8). Seven patients underwent a double osteotomy of the radius, and 1 underwent a single osteotomy.

Results: Ulnar tilt was improved in all cases. Correction of deformity was significant on anteroposterior but not on lateral views. The mean preoperative and postoperative radial bow was measured in 2 planes, with an average preoperative bow of 32° (± 21°) on anteroposterior radiographs and 36° (± 17°) on lateral radiographs, and an average bow of 10° (± 6°) on anteroposterior radiographs and 7° (± 6°) on lateral films after surgery. The predicted radial bow was calculated to be 9.1° (± 8°).

Conclusions: Three-dimensional planning allows predictable deformity correction across multiple but not all parameters. Future studies comparing clinical and radiographic outcomes of guided versus nonguided osteotomies are required to justify the additional expense and preoperative planning efforts.

Type of study/level of evidence: Therapeutic V.