Table 1.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Outerbridge-Kashiwagi Procedure

Advantages

•The O-K procedure is less time consuming and technically less demanding than corrective osteotomies for supracondylar malunions. •Less exposure to x-ray radiation with the O-K procedure compared with corrective osteotomies. •No immobilization or weight bearing restrictions are required for the O-K procedure after surgery. •The procedure has good clinical outcomes with minimal complications. •In case the desired range motion is not achieved after decompression with the O-K procedure and adequate physical therapy, a corrective osteotomy can be still be done at another time.

Disadvantages

•May not be able to achieve desired level range of motion with the O-K procedure compared with a corrective osteotomy for a supracondylar malunion depending on malunion characteristics. •The O-K procedure can be performed to regain range of motion when there is a bony block restricting motion and cannot be applied to all supracondylar malunions. •Obviously the O-K procedure cannot correct deformity in any plane for supracondylar malunions.

O-K, Outerbridge-Kashiwagi.