[Radius reed osteotomy for supination deformity in children with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy]

We report our experience and results in the use of reed pronating osteotomy in supination deformities secondary to obstetrical brachial plexus injury. This retrospective study involved 11 patients with paralytic supination of the forearm due to a brachial plexus injury. Other causes of paralytic supination were excluded. The surgical technique consisted of a proximal osteotomy of the ulna fixed by an intramedullary nail and a stable elastic reed osteotomy of the radius. The minimum postoperative follow-up was 2 years. Four boys and seven girls mean aged 8 years (5-12) were operated on between 2000 and 2010. The mean preoperative supination was measured at 63°. The final position average pronation was 37°. Loss of pronation was measured at 15°. No complication was observed. With a mean follow-up of 4 years (2-12), the reed osteotomy of radius associated with a proximal transverse osteotomy of ulna has proven itself effective for correction of paralytic supination of the forearm without complication or reoperation.