Compared outcomes of femoral shaft fracture treatment in school-age children in Sub-Saharan Africa: Primary open reduction and intramedullary K-wire fixation versus traction followed by spica cast.

BACKGROUND: Elastic stable intramedullary nailing has become the treatment of choice for femur shaft fractures in school-age children in developed world. However, in the sub-Saharan Africa, this management is still challenging because of the lack of fluoroscopy in more hospitals. We performed either primary open reduction and intramedullary K-wire fixation (PORIKF) or conservative treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and functional outcomes of these two procedures employed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 62 children with 64 fractures (10 years on an average; range: 6-15 years) treating for femoral shaft fractures either by PORIKF (n = 21; 23 fractures) or skin traction followed by spica cast (n = 41) between 2008 and 2017. Outcomes were assessed using Flynn criteria. Comparisons were made by Fisher and Student's t-test with a significant P < 5%. RESULTS: Outcomes were satisfactory in 21 cases (91%) in the PORIKF group compared with 32 (78%) in the conservative group (P = 0.3012). The average hospital stay was 18.6 days in the PORIKF group, whereas it was 20 in the conservative group (P = 0.0601). The mean time for bone union was 13.9 weeks in the PORIKF group and 13.2 weeks in the conservative group, (P = 0.4346). There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of major complications (P = 0.0177). One patient had osteomyelitis in the PORIKF group. Unacceptable shortening >2 cm was observed only in the conservative group. The average time to return to daily activities was 30 days shorter in the PORIKF group when compared to conservative group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: PORIKF provides better results than conservative treatment. Open reduction did not increase the rate of infectious complication.

Management of femoral neck fractures in children: Experience of a short series in a developing country.

BACKGROUND: Fractures of the femoral neck are rare injuries in children but can have many devastating complications. Their treatment is not standardized, but the objectives are early anatomic reduction to minimize the risk for complications. The aim of this study was to assess outcomes of a short series of femoral neck fractures managed in a resource-limited setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical charts of 11 children who were managed in our institution for femoral neck fractures between January 2000 and December 2015 were assessed retrospectively. There were two cases (n = 2) of Delbet type I, 5 (n = 5) type II, and 4 (n = 4) type III fractures. Patients were treated either surgically by open reduction and internal fixation (n = 4) or conservatively by traction followed by spica cast (n = 7). Outcomes were assessed using Ratliff system. RESULTS: Femoral neck fracture incidence was one case per year. Of the 11 patients, there were 7 boys and 4 girls, with a mean age 9.4 ± 3.28 years. At the mean follow-up of 3.64 ± 1.97 years (range, 2-8.8 years), outcome was fair to good in 8 (72.7%) and poor in 3 (27.3%) cases. Average union time was 13.5 ± 1.77 weeks. Complication rate was 72.7%. Avascular necrosis occurred in three cases (27.3%). Six patients (54.5%) developed coxa vara, with a mean neck-shaft angle of 102.16° ±12.07° (range, 90°-118°). Five patients (45.5%) had leg length discrepancy with a mean 18 mm (range, 7-35 mm). DISCUSSION: local conditions negatively influenced the management of femoral neck fractures. Conservative treatment led to many complications which increase the cost of management.

[Treatment of epiphyseal fractures of the distal radial in children]. / Traitement des fractures decollements epiphysaires du radius distal chez l'enfant.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the results of treatment on epiphyseal fractures of the distal radius. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 53 patients treated in the pediatric surgery department on children was conducted between 2002 and 2012 for a distal radius epiphyseal fracture. The mean age of 12.5 years. According to Salter-Harris classification, fractures were classified of type I in 35 patients (66%) and types II 18 (34%) cases. The average treatment time was 1.42 days. Firstly, closed reduction followed by an anti-brachial brachiocephalic palmar cast was performed on patients. Failure of the orthopedic treatment led to open reduction and pin fixation. Post-care results were evaluated on the functional and morphological study of the upper limb. RESULTS: Postoperative complications occurred in 7 patients. Failures of closed reduction were caused by irreducibility due to periosteum interposition in 5 patients with type II fractures and by a redisplacement in 2 patients with type I fracture. In these patients, treatment consisted of a fixation pin by open reduction. Positive results occurred in 49 cases (92.5%) and sequelae occurred in 4 (7.5%) patients. Sequelae were represented by a stiff wrist in 3 cases (5.6%), and limitation of prono-supination in 1 case (1.8%). CONCLUSION: The results of treatment of epiphyseal fractures of the distal radius in children are accompanied by a low rate of complications. But a long-term follow up is required because growth disturbances predominated among the complications.

L'objectif de ce travail était d'évaluer les résultats du traitement des fractures décollements épiphysaires du radius distal chez l'enfant. MATÉRIEL ET MÉTHODES: Etude rétrospective portant sur 53 patients traités dans le service de chirurgie pédiatrique entre 2002 et 2012 pour une fracture décollement épiphysaire du radius distal. L'âge moyen était de 12,5 ans. Les lésions étaient reparties selon la classification de Salter et Harris: type I 35 cas (66%), type II 18 cas (34%). Le délai thérapeutique moyen était de 1,42 jour. En première intention, une réduction par manœuvre externe était réalisée, suivie d'un plâtre brachial anti brachio palmaire. Les échecs du traitement orthopédique ont imposé une réduction chirurgicale par brochage à ciel ouvert. L'évaluation des résultats s'est basée sur l'étude fonctionnelle et morphologique du membre supérieur. RÉSULTATS: Des complications post thérapeutiques ont été observées chez 7 patients. Il s'agissait de 5 cas d'irréductibilité par interposition périostée dans le type II et 2 cas de déplacement secondaire dans le type I. Chez ces patients, le traitement a consisté à une ostéosynthèse par brochage à ciel ouvert. Une consolidation sans séquelle a été observée chez 49 patients (92,5%) et 4 patients (7,5%) ont présenté des séquelles. Les séquelles étaient représentées par une raideur du poignet dans 3 cas (5,6%), une limitation de la prono-suppination dans 1 cas (1,8%). CONCLUSION: Le traitement des fractures décollements épiphysaires du radius distal chez l'enfant s'accompagne d'un faible taux de complications. Il convient d'insister sur l'intérêt d'une surveillance prolongée en raison de la nature évolutive et du caractère imprévisible de trouble de croissance.

Epidemiology of congenital abnormalities in West Africa: Results of a descriptive study in teaching hospitals in Abidjan: Cote d'Ivoire.

BACKGROUND: Congenital abnormalities constitute one of the major causes of infant mortality, particularly in developing countries. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of congenital anomalies in Cote d'Ivoire. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a multicentric study of three academic hospitals and the Heart Institute of Abidjan over 10 years. The epidemiologic Data concerned the Parturients, the annual frequency of congenital abnormalities. Distribution of the congenital abnormalities according to the organs, overall mortality and lethality of congenital abnormalities were evaluated. RESULTS: Over 10 years, 1.632 newborns with 1.725 congenital anomalies were recorded. Frequency was 172.5 congenital anomalies per annum. Parturients were less than 35 years in 33% of cases, multigravida in 20%, multiparous in 18% and had a low socio economic status in 96% of cases. Prenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies was performed in 1.5%. Congenital anomalies were orthopedic in 34%, neurological in 17%, gastrointestinal in 15%, facial in 11.5%, parietal in 13%, urogenital in 9% and cardiac in 0.5% of cases. The overall mortality rate of congenital anomalies was 52% and gastroschisis was the most lethal disease with 100% mortality. CONCLUSION: This descriptive study reveals the low socio economic status of Parturients with congenital anomalies and their poor prenatal diagnosis. These factors explain the very high mortality of congenital anomalies due to a delay management in our country in which medical expenses were borne by parents and where technical platforms remain obsoletes for good resuscitation and neonatal surgery.

Aesthetic, urological, orthopaedic and functional outcomes in complex bladder exstrophy-epispadias's management.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative complications are related to the surgical procedures, of failures of initial bladder closure and influence the urological, aesthetical and orthopaedic outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed four patients who underwent complex bladder exstrophy-epispadias repair over a period of 14 years. The outcomes of treatment were assessed using, aesthetic, urological and orthopaedic examination data. Orthopaedic complications were explored by a radiography of the pelvis. RESULTS: Out of four patients who underwent bladder exstrophy surgical management, aesthetic, functional outcomes and complications in the short and long follow-up were achieved in three patients. The first patient is a male and had a good penis aspect. He has a normal erection during micturition with a good jet miction. He has a moderate urinary incontinence, which requires diaper. In the erection, his penis-measures 4 cm long and 3 cm as circumference. The second patient was a female. She had an unsightly appearance of the female external genitalia with bipartite clitoris. Urinary continence could not be assessed; she did not have the age of cleanness yet. The third patient had a significant urinary leakage due to the failure of the epispadias repair. He has a limp, a pelvic obliquity, varus and internal rotation of the femoral head. He has an inequality of limbs length. Pelvis radiograph shows the right osteotomy through the ilium bone, the left osteotomy through the hip joint at the acetabular roof. CONCLUSION: When, the epispadias repair is performed contemporary to initial bladder closure, its success is decisive for urinary continence. In the female, surgical revision is required after the initial bladder closure for an aesthetic appearance to the external genitalia. Innominate osteotomy must be performed with brilliancy amplifier to avoid osteotomy through to the hip joint to prevent inequality in leg length.

[Native psoas abcess in children. Case study at paediatric surgery department of university teaching hospital of Yopougon, Félix Houphouet Boigny university Côte d'Ivoire (Abidjan)]. / Abces primitif du psoas chez l'enfant. a propos d'un cas dans le service de chirurgie pédiatrique au CHU de Yopougon Université félix Houphouët Boigny de Cote d'Ivoire (Abidjan).

The authors report on a psoas abscess case whose diagnostic has been facilitated by the use of abdominal echography. The result has been successful due to the combination of antibiotherapy and echo-guided puncture.

Les auteurs rapportent un cas d'abcès primitif du psoas dont le diagnostic a été facilité par l'apport de l'échographie abdominale. L'évolution a été favorable grâce à l'association de l'antibiothérapie et de la ponction écho-guidée.

Sporadic occurrence of jarcho-levin syndrome in an ivorian newborn.

We report on an isolated chest-wall asymmetry with imaging findings of multiple vertebral and related rib defects in an Ivorian male newborn. He was born of a healthy and young couple without parental lineage, neither family malformative history nor teratogen exposure. This clinical presentation advocates Jarcho-Levin syndrome, a rare sporadic or familial disorder inherited as autosomal dominant or recessive mode and manifested by extensive vertebral segmentation defects with distinctive rib structural and morphological anomalies. According to our belief, this disorder has not been previously traced in the sub-Saharan African area.

[Labial fusion in the paediatric surgery department of Yopougon University hospital (Côte d'Ivoire): 108 cases]. / La coalescence des nymphes au service de chirurgie pédiatrique du CHU de Yopougon : à propos de 108 cas.

INTRODUCTION: Labial fusion is a benign genital disorder in girls. It may be either congenital or acquired, sometimes due to poor hygiene. Parental panic about this "absent vagina" contrasts with its simple, rapid, radical treatment. The study reports the result of simplified treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study covers cases from 1 January 1992 through 31 December 2006 and includes only the cases of young girls treated as outpatients. All patients underwent outpatient surgical treatment. They were placed in gynaecological position. After asepsis of the vulva, a curved Halsted mosquito forceps was inserted into the opening for partial adhesions or across the medial transparent membrane for complete fusion. The forceps were then opened gently until complete detachment occurred. Local anaesthesia with EMLA cream ensured the absence of pain; there was sometimes minimal bleeding. All patients had local antiseptic treatment afterwards. RESULTS: During this study period, 108 patients (including two sisters) with a mean age of 22 months were treated for labial fusion (101 cases of total fusion and 7 partial). Only seven were older than 5 years of age. Overall, 84 patients underwent this basic treatment of section and follow-up antisepsis; none had a recurrence. Twenty girls also received oestrogen cream, and 4 had the surgical section alone. DISCUSSION: This benign disorder is rare and generally isolated in our regions, unlike in Western countries where it is often associated with hormonal deficits. The principal approach has been either therapeutic abstention or oestrogen therapy, both currently recommended in developed countries. Oestrogen treatment is a long procedure (3 or 4 months), however, and follow-up is far from certain. In Africa, all genital disorders are considered serious. Early repair is desirable for that reason and to prevent urinary tract infections and traditional "treatment". Simple outpatient treatment by surgical section with local antiseptic treatment is effective. Vulvar hygiene is essential to prevent recurrence. CONCLUSION: This benign disorder can be treated by any physician, but the psychological impact of the site and the necessary speed suggest the choice of management in paediatric units.