Closed Reduction, Arthrogram and Spica Application for DDH.

INTRODUCTION: The principle of the treatment for DDH is to establish a concentric, congruent, stable and safe reduction of the hip. Early treatment enables the subsequent hip development. Closed reduction and spica play an essential role during the process of DDH treatment, especially the young children, with high success rate and low complications. INDICATIONS: The indications for the procedure include DDH in children between the age of 6 months and 2 years, and failure of Pavlik harness treatment. TECHNIQUE: The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia or deep sedation under guidance of image intensifier. We use a wooden board as spica table. The steps of the procedure are illustrated in the video and include: (1) gentle reduction, (2) confirmation of reduction and stability with arthrogram and (3) application of hip spica in human position. CONCLUSION: The article describes video technique for closed reduction, arthrogram and spika for management of DDH along with a list of useful tips and tricks. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43465-021-00542-y.

CT-Guided Percutaneous Drilling of Osteoid Osteoma: A Safe, Minimally Invasive and Cost-Effective Method.

BACKGROUND: CT-guided percutaneous drill resection (PDR) for osteoid osteoma fell out of vogue with the advent of radiofrequency ablation (RFA). However, the routine use of RFA is offset by its high cost and need for specialized instrumentation. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study is an analysis of our series of patients treated with PDR, to know its efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of 33 patients with a mean age of 10.03 years (2-21 years 13:10 M:F). The proximal femur was the commonest location, followed by shaft femur, tibial shaft, pubic ramus and lateral humeral condyle. Three were recurrences. The procedures were performed by one of four fellowship-trained paediatric orthopaedic surgeons, using a standard protocol with the help of a radiologist. CT-guided drilling was performed under sedation/short general anaesthesia using a guidewire for identification, followed by sequential drilling using a 6.5 mm cannulated drill or a triple ream drill. Patients were hospitalized overnight for pain relief and allowed protected weight bearing as per pain tolerance. They were evaluated weekly for 2 weeks and 3 monthly thereafter. RESULTS: The mean final follow-up was 19.72 months (6 months to 58 months). All patients had complete resolution of symptoms within 3 days of the procedure. There were no major complications and there were two minor complications (haematoma and cutaneous hypoaesthesia). There were no recurrences till the last follow-up. CONCLUSION: This study, one of the first and largest from India about CT-guided PDR, shows that this method can still be safely and effectively used as a primary treatment modality in OO, especially in economically challenged population. It is much more cost-effective than RFA, can be used even for recurrent tumours and can be safely be performed by a general orthopaedic surgeon without any special instrumentation.

Titanium Elastic Nailing with Temporary External Fixator versus Bridge Plating in Comminuted Pediatric Femoral Shaft Fractures: A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: High-velocity trauma, associated injuries, risk of iatrogenic devascularization of fragments and need for maintaining alignment upto union make comminuted fracture in pediatric femur a formidable fracture to treat. This comparative study was conducted to evaluate the outcomes of two modes of management in such cases: titanium elastic nailing supplemented with external fixator and submuscular bridge plating (BP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty eight children (aged 6-12 years) with comminuted fracture shaft femur who were randomized into two groups underwent systematic evaluation. One group was operated with titanium nailing with temporary external stabilization by fixators (titanium nailing with external [TNE] group) for 4 weeks. The other underwent submuscular BP with locked plates (BP group). Clinical and radiological outcomes, operative time, blood loss, radiation exposure, difficulties in removal and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Both groups achieved union (10.7 ± 1.9 weeks BP, 11 ± 1.6 weeks TNE), satisfactory knee flexion (138.2 ± 6.4° BP, 136 ± 7.3° TNE), and painless weight bearing (7.3 ± 0.9 weeks vs. 7.3 ± 1.4 weeks) in acceptable alignment. Functional outcomes were excellent in majority of both BP (15 of 19) and nail external fixator groups (15 of 18). Operating time and radiation exposure (69.5 ± 14.5 s vs. 50.9 ± 12.9 s) were more in TNE than in BP (P < 0.01). However, implant removal was more difficult in BP (56.4 ± 12.4 min in BP vs. 30.1 ± 8.8 min TNE). Pin-tract infections (n = 3) and hardware prominence (n = 2) in TNE group and deep infections (n = 2) in BP group were notable complications. CONCLUSION: Two groups were similar in radiological and functional outcomes. Inserting elastic nails and external fixator was a more exacting surgery, while removal was more difficult in BP group. Both techniques had acceptable success and complication rates.

Loeys-Dietz syndrome with bilateral radial head dislocations: a case report.

Loeys-Dietz syndrome is characterised by vascular aneurysms, hypertelorism, and a bifid uvula. We report on an 11-year-old boy with Loeys-Dietz syndrome who presented with bilateral radial head dislocations and severe osteopaenia with changes of avascular necrosis in both hips causing an out-toeing, wide gait. Considering the poor prognosis for elbow movement and possible radial head dysplasia, surgical reduction of the radial heads was deferred. A subtrochanteric de-rotation osteotomy of the left hip was performed to improve the gait.