Risk of repeated drainage in pediatric septic arthritis: patient or method?

How drainage of septic arthritis should be performed remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to compare arthrocentesis (Ac) using double intra-articular needle lavage to arthrotomy (At) as first-line drainage treatment for pediatric hip and knee septic arthritis. The secondary objective was to identify risk factors of second articular drainage. A retrospective review of medical records of children with knee and hip septic arthritis was conducted. Inclusion criteria were: children treated for septic arthritis between 2014 and 2020 with a positive culture of joint fluid. Clinical, biological, radiographical and ultrasound data were recorded at presentation and during follow-up. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the type of drainage performed: Ac or At. 25 hips and 44 knees were included, 42 treated by Ac (15 hips, 27 knees) and 27 by At (10 hips, 17 knees). There is no significant difference between Ac and At regarding the need for repeated drainage and Ac nor At was reported as risk factor for repeated drainage. The presence of associated musculoskeletal infection (MSI) was a significant risk factor of repeated drainage [odds ratio = 11.8; 95% confidence interval = 1.2-114.2; P < 0.001]. Significantly more associated MSI (P < 0.001), level I virulence germs (P < 0.001) and positive blood culture (<0.001) were found in patients who underwent repeated drainage. There was no significant difference between Ac and At regarding rate of repeated drainage. The risk factors for repeated drainage were: associated with MSI, virulent germs and positive blood culture.

Elbow dislocation with and without an associated fracture in children: A prospective study of functional outcomes following 3 weeks of immobilization.

INTRODUCTION: The initial management of elbow dislocations in children, emergency reduction and brachial-antebrachial-palmar (BABP) immobilization, remains the most widely used method. Osteosynthesis could be associated in case of fractures. On the other hand, there is no consensus on the duration of immobilization in the recent literature. The objective of this study was to describe the medium-term functional results of a prospective cohort of children presenting with an elbow dislocation immobilized for 3 weeks, with or without an associated fracture. The hypothesis of this study was that 3 weeks of immobilization was sufficient and made it possible to obtain a satisfactory, rapid functional recovery without residual instability. MATERIAL AND METHOD: All children with an elbow dislocation with or without an associated fracture were included. The dislocation was urgently reduced and subsequent surgery could be indicated in the event of associated injuries. All the children had 3 weeks of immobilization with a BABP cast. Radiological and clinical follow-up was carried out for 2 years. The parameters evaluated were: 3 functional scores and the range of motion (ROM) of the elbow. Clinical or radiological complications were sought. RESULTS: A total of 50 children were included, the mean age was 10.6 years (± 2.6). Functional score results were "good' or "excellent' at 3 months of follow-up, "excellent' at 6 months and thereafter. The mean limitation in ROM at the last follow-up was 4.7° (± 7.2°) with all ranges combined. Eighty-two percent of children had a mean limitation in ROM of less than 10°. None of the children presented with a recurrence of elbow dislocation and instability. CONCLUSION: Immobilization of elbow dislocations for 3 weeks in children confers good medium-term functional results without exposing them to the risk of instability, whether or not the dislocation is associated with a fracture. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II; Prospective cohort study.

Functional and radiological outcome after forearm plating in children and adolescent fracture.

The literature on forearm overgrowth after plating in traumatic conditions is relatively poor though this technique can be useful when intra-medullary nailing is not sufficient in pediatric cases. The goal of this study was to assess a potential overgrowth after plating and identify impact on function. We conducted a retrospective study of all pediatric patients who underwent open surgery of the radius and/or ulna diaphysis with internal fixation by plating, in our institution, between October 2013 and July 2019. At last follow-up, functional and radiological outcomes were compared between the operated and uninjured forearm. Range of motion (ROM) of the wrist and elbow, clinical scores, radial and ulnar length were measured. A positive bone length discrepancy of more than 2mm was considered as an overgrowth. Were also studied the radio-ulnar index, radial inclination and radiocarpal angle. Thirteen patients were included. The mean age was 12.1 years old (±3.0 years), they were plated on the radius (10 cases) or on the ulna (3 cases). Mean follow- up was 4.4 years (± 1.8). In two cases, the plated bone (radius) was significantly longer than the uninjured one. There was no significant difference regarding radio-ulnar index, radial inclination and radiocarpal angle. The only statistically significant difference between the operated and uninjured forearm was the pronation/supination range, which was greater in the uninjured forearm (mean 160 ±48° versus 175 ±49°, p=0.01). This study confirms the good functional and radiological outcomes after plating even in a skeletally immature forearm. Level of evidence : IV.

Divergent Intramedullary Nailing (DIN): A Modified Intramedullary Nailing Technique to Treat Paediatric Distal Tibial Fractures.

INTRODUCTION: Elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) allows for efficient reduction and stabilization of fractures of the tibial shaft in children and adolescents. However, for fractures of the distal third of the tibia, traditional ESIN could be inappropriate, thus compromising the stability and the healing of the fracture. The aim of this study was to present and to assess a new technique of modified ESIN to treat fracture of the distal third of the tibia, called divergent intramedullary nailing (DIN). METHODS: We performed a retrospective monocentric study. All patients less than 16 years old, managed in our pediatric orthopaedics department, and operated upon according to the DIN technique for a displaced and/or unstable fracture of the distal third of the tibia were included. Demographic and surgical data were collected. X-rays were performed preoperatively, postoperatively, at 6 weeks, and every 6 months. The surgical technique starts as does the classic ESIN. However, nails are not curved, so that they cross only once at the proximal part of the tibia; they are divergent and supported by the medial and lateral distal part of the tibial shaft. This allows for reduction and stabilization of the fracture. RESULTS: A total of 13 patients were included, with a mean age of 10 years and a mean follow-up of 32 months. The size of the nail varied between 2.5 and 4 mm. The mean surgical time was 54 minutes. The DIN technique provided a satisfying reduction (coronal and sagittal angulation <3 degrees) for the 13 fractures. In addition, there was no secondary displacement at 6 weeks. All patients were healed at 6 months, with no clinical torsion or axis malalignment. CONCLUSIONS: The current study confirms the feasibility and the efficiency of the DIN method to treat fracture of the distal third of the tibia.

Efficacy, pain, and overall patient satisfaction with pediatric upper arm fracture reduction in the emergency department.

INTRODUCTION: Immediate closed reduction and cast immobilization performed under sedation in the emergency room is the mainstay management for most isolated displaced or angulated upper limb fractures in children. We aimed to determine if this approach is safe, effective and if patients, parents and staff are satisfied with this approach.Our working hypothesis was this management provides a high satisfaction rate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2017 and October 2017 we included 118 children presenting with upper arm fractures amenable to closed reduction under our institutional analgesia protocol. Children received 0.4mg/kg of Oramorph oral solution, they were then evaluated 40minutes later, and if their Face Legs Activity Cry Consolability (for children under 16 years-old) and/or Visual Analog Scale (for children over 6 years-old) were under 4, they underwent closed reduction by an orthopaedic resident under Nitrous oxide. If their pain assessment scale was above 4, they received an extra 0.4mg/kg of Oramorph oral solution and underwent closed reduction 40minutes later under nitrous oxide. These children were managed without hospitalization, as outpatients. Children>6, families and nursing staff were also given a visual satisfaction scale (using a 1-10 score) just before being discharged from the ER in order to evaluate their experience. RESULTS: Closed reduction in the ER was judged satisfactory from an orthopedic point-of-view in 115 cases (97.6%). Parents, children and the nursing team gave the experience in the ER an average satisfaction score of 9 out of 10. CONCLUSION: ER reduction is not only safe and effective but is also associated with a high satisfaction rate amongst children, their families and the nursing staff.

Optimal postoperative immobilisation for supracondylar humeral fractures.

BACKGROUND: Supracondylar humeral fractures (SCHFs) are very common in paediatric patients. In France, percutaneous fixation with two lateral-entry pins is widely used after successful closed reduction. Postoperative immobilisation is typically with a long arm cast combined with a tubular-bandage sling that immobilises the shoulder and holds the arm in adduction and internal rotation to prevent external rotation of the shoulder, which might cause secondary displacement. The objective of this study was to compare this standard immobilisation technique to a posterior plaster splint with a simple sling. HYPOTHESIS: Secondary displacement is not more common with a posterior plaster splint and sling than with a long arm cast. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred patients with extension Gartland type III SCHFs managed by closed reduction and percutaneous fixation with two lateral-entry pins between December 2011 and December 2015 were assessed retrospectively. Postoperative immobilisation was with a posterior plaster splint and a simple sling worn for 4 weeks. Radiographs were obtained on days 1, 45, and 90. RESULTS: Secondary displacement occurred in 8% of patients. No patient required revision surgery. DISCUSSION: The secondary displacement rate was comparable to earlier reports. Of the 8 secondary displacements, 5 were ascribable to technical errors. The remaining 3 were not caused by rotation of the arm and would probably not have been prevented by using the tubular-bandage sling. CONCLUSION: A posterior plaster splint combined with a simple sling is a simple and effective immobilisation method for SCHFs provided internal fixation is technically optimal. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV retrospective observational study.

Neonatal gastric outlet obstruction by isolated pyloric atresia, an often forgotten diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Pyloric atresia (PA) is a rare condition, and may be misdiagnosed and especially confused for duodenal atresia pre-operatively. We looked for clues to avoiding pre-operative misdiagnosis and hence allow the best neonatal medical and surgical management. METHODS: A retrospective case-note review was carried out of the five patients managed in four centres with the diagnosis of isolated PA. We focused on antenatal ultrasound findings, postnatal clinical and radiological features, operative findings, surgical procedures and outcomes. RESULTS: Four patients had polyhydramnios and one double bubble sign on antenatal ultrasound. After birth, non-bilious vomiting and upper abdominal distension were the main symptoms. Gastric decompression showed non-bilious gastric fluid. Radiological findings were a large gastric air bubble with no gas beyond in all cases. The diagnosis of duodenal atresia was postulated at first in all cases. The diagnosis of PA was established peroperatively. One patient referred late, died 13-day post-operatively of cardiopulmonary failure secondary to a severe pneumonia that may be related to aspiration syndrome. Outcomes were otherwise satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: Even though it is a rare diagnosis, PA has a specific clinical and radiological presentation underlined here that should be kept in mind when managing a neonate with a gastric outlet obstruction.