Chiari osteotomy in children and young adults.

From 1972 to 1991, 50 Chiari procedures were performed in 41 patients. The follow-up period ranged from 3 years to 24 years and 3 months, with an average of 7 years. Age of the patients at operation averaged 10 years and 6 months (3 years and 1 month to 28 years and 6 months). The best results were obtained in patients older than 10 years of age. There was no statistical relationship between the technical details of Chiari osteotomy (angle of Chiari, displacement and distance to the femoral head) and the results.