ROTATIONAL OSTEOTOMIES OF THE LEG - TIBIA ALONE VERSUS BOTH TIBIA ANDFIBULA

From a chart review of 45 consecutive cases (mean age 8.9 years) of pa tients who had rotational osteotomies of the tibia alone (group 1, 27 cases) or of both the tibia and fibula (group 2, 18 cases) for torsion al deformities of the leg, we compared the length of surgery and posto perative complications. We also describe the surgical technique for ti bial osteotomy alone. The most common complication, posterior and varu s/valgus angulation at the osteotomy site, was significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1 (p < 0.05). The mean operative time was 21% f aster for tibial osteotomy alone. One case of chronic lateral compartm ent syndrome occurred in group 2. When indicated, tibial osteotomy alo ne is a simple, safe, fast, and stable surgical procedure for correcti ng excessive tibial torsion.