Osteotomy for malunited fractures of the distal radius: A comparison of structural and nonstructural autogenous bone grafts

Two cohorts of 10 patients who had a corrective osteotomy for a malunited fracture of the distal radius with a pi-shaped plate and screw fixation were compared retrospectively to see whether the outcome was affected by using a nonstructural cancellous bone graft compared with a trapezoidal corticocancellous bone graft. The indications for the osteotomy, surgical techniques, and postoperative rehabilitation were consistent and all surgical procedures were done by the same surgeon. All osteotomies healed without loss of the surgical correction. Follow-up radiographic and functional results were comparable between groups. Use of a nonstructural, cancellous only bone graft-appealing in its relative simplicity-seems safe and efficacious. Copyright (C) 2002 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.