Graphical analysis and operative technique of single-cut osteotomy for complex femur deformities

The correction of complex long bone deformities with concurrent bending, tw isting and shortening is primarily based on complex preoperative planning. Up to now, wedge-shaped cortico-spongiose osteotomy has usually been perfor med. The single cut osteotomy requires more complex mathematical calculatio ns and was therefore less frequently undertaken. In this paper, we present a graphical approach to define the plane of the single-cut osteotomy withou t any calculations. The resulting osteotomy allows a simultaneous correctio n of a deformation in the coronal and sagittal planes, as well as a coexist ing torsional error. The advantages of this graphical approach are evident. Preoperative planning is significantly simplified and abbreviated as mathe matical calculations are no longer needed. Furthermore, the precision by wh ich the osteotomy plane is defined is not decreased by application of th is method. However, the osteotomy should be done preoperatively in a model.