High tibial osteotomy: osteotomy in minus or hemicallotasis with EAF?

Between January 1988 and November 1994 a total of 29 patient were submitted to high tibial osteotomy to treat varus knee. Osteotomy in minus stabilized by staples and plaster was used in 13 cases, a monoaxial external fixator (AEF) associated with hemicallotasis was used in 16. After a period of time ranging from 11 to 58 months satisfactory results were obtained in 90% of the cases in the first group, and in 95% of those in the second. As compared to the first surgical procedure the second was characterized by: a) a simpler surgical technique; b) reduction in time required for surgery and surgical trauma with a lower incidence of septic complications; c) early mobilization of the patient and a shorter period of time in hospital; d) more accurate correction of the tibiofemoral axis.