Effect of preservation of corticoperiosteal attachment on bone healing at osteotomy sites after ulna-shortening osteotomy.

Background: Although precise ulna-shortening osteotomy is popular, the procedure sometimes results in delayed union or nonunion. The periosteum including the inner cambium layer plays an important role in fracture healing. We tested the hypothesis that preservation of the corticoperiosteal attachment may accelerate healing at osteotomy sites after ulna-shortening osteotomy.

Methods: We performed a chart review of 32 patients who underwent ulna-shortening osteotomy for ulnar impaction syndrome or triangular fibrocartilage complex tears in a retrospective single-surgeon series. Of the 32 cases, the periosteum was preserved in 21 osteotomies performed from April 2009 onwards (periosteum-preserved group) and not preserved in 11 osteotomies performed before April 2009 (control group). Following sugar tong immobilization, patients in both groups used a short wrist supporter during the first two postoperative weeks (POW) and up to at least four POW. Union of the osteotomy site was assessed at 2-week intervals using radiographs taken at three different projections until 12 POW and at 4-week intervals thereafter until 24 POW. Ulna shortening was performed using a transverse osteotomy cut with the aid of a commercially available compression device.

Results: All osteotomies achieved complete union except in one case in the control group. The mean interval to complete cortical union was 7.7 weeks in the periosteum-preserved group and 9.5 weeks in the control group. The corresponding mean times for endosteal union were 15.6 and 21.8 weeks. The periosteum-preserved group had reduced times for both types of union but only the endosteal union time was significantly different from the control group.

Conclusions: Preservation of the corticoperiosteal attachment significantly shortened the endosteal union time. Our results indicate that preservation of the periosteum may accelerate bone healing after ulna-shortening osteotomy.