Anterior Distal Femoral Hemiepiphysiodesis Using Coronally Oriented 8-plates for the Correction of Fixed Knee Flexion Deformities in Children-Preliminary Results.

INTRODUCTION: The original technique for guided growth of the distal femur for correction of pediatric fixed knee flexion deformities (FKFDs) involves the utilization of two 8-plates inserted on either side of the trochlear groove, a technique that has been frequently linked to the development of persistent postoperative knee pain and crepitus. The present study aimed to assess the preliminary results of a novel technique where the two 8-plates are fixed in the coronal plane, one on each of the medial and lateral surfaces, so that they occupy the anterior part of the distal femur. METHODS: Our study was a prospective case series that included cases with FKFD of >10 degrees in children with at least 12 months of predicted growth remaining. The preoperative knee flexion contracture angle was documented. The surgical procedure entailed the insertion of 2 coronally oriented 8-plates on the medial and lateral surfaces of the distal femur as anterior as possible to the axis of the femur without encroachment on the trochlear groove. The duration of time required to attain full knee extension and any complications encountered were recorded. Wilcoxon signed-rank was used to compare the preoperative and final contracture angles. The level of statistical significance was set at P<0.05. RESULTS: Thirteen knees in 8 patients (6 boys and 2 girls) were included. The median age was 11 years (6 to 14). There was a significant improvement in the FKFD for the whole cohort from 25 degrees (14 to 42) to 0 degrees (-9 to 8), P<0.05. The median rate of correction was 2.0 degrees/month (0.9 to 5.8). The time till full correction was 14 months (4 to 25). Postoperative knee pain and metalware-related complications were not reported by any patient during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Guided growth of the distal femur using coronally oriented 8-plates is an effective procedure for the treatment of FKFDs in children. This modified technique may achieve faster correction while minimizing the risk of postoperative knee pain compared with the conventional technique. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-case series.

Mini-open Anterior Pelvic Osteotomy and Spica Casting for Primary Closure of the Pelvis in Infants With Classic Bladder Exstrophy.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of mini-open Salter-like anterior pelvic osteotomy followed by spica casting as an adjunct to urological reconstruction in infants with classic bladder exstrophy (CBE). METHODS: Twenty-eight infants with CBE were operated upon according to the following protocol: initial bilateral mini-open Salter-like osteotomies followed by urological reconstruction and subsequent spica casting for 3 to 4 weeks. Postoperative clinical and radiologic assessments of wound complications and union were done, respectively. During subsequent follow-ups, the foot progression angle (FPA), the interpubic (IP) distance, interischial (IS) distance, and the IS/IP ratio were measured. The Pearson correlation was used to correlate between age at the time of last follow-up, the FPA, the IP and IS distances, and the IS/IP ratio. RESULTS: The mean age at the time of operation was 5.89±0.89 months. The operative procedure took 10 to 15 minutes (mean of 12.5±1.5 min) for each side and the blood loss was negligible. Tension-free complete approximation of the symphysis was achieved in all cases. No wound complications were reported in any case. The total duration of the cast was 3.07±0.14 weeks. The mean duration of follow-up was 4.78±3.09 years. Strong positive correlation was found between the IP and IS distances ( r =0.833, P <0.0001) as well as the IS distance and age (r=0.455, P =0.015). CONCLUSION: Mini-open anterior pelvic osteotomy and spica casting may provide a minimally invasive and effective option for closure of the pelvis in infants with CBE. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-case series.

Mechanics of guided growth of the distal femur for correction of fixed knee flexion deformities: an extra-articular technique.

INTRODUCTION: Anterior distal femoral hemiepiphysiodesis using intra-articular plates for correction of pediatric fixed knee flexion deformities (FKFD) has two documented complications: postoperative knee pain and implant loosening. The aim of this study is to investigate the mechanical properties of a novel extra-articular technique for anterior distal femoral hemiepiphysiodesis in patients with FKFD and to compare them to the conventional technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen femoral sawbones were osteotomized at the level of the distal femoral physis and fixed by rail frames to allow linear distraction simulating longitudinal growth. Each sawbone was tested twice: first using the conventional technique with eight plates placed anteriorly just medial and lateral to the femoral sulcus (group A) and then with plates inserted in the proposed novel location at the most anterior part of the medial and lateral surfaces of the femoral condyles with screws in the coronal plane (group B). Gradual linear distraction was performed, and the resulting angular correction was measured. Strain gauges were attached to the plates, and the amount of strain (and equivalent stress) over the plates in response to linear distraction was recorded. The two groups were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: The amount of angular correction was statistically higher in group B (extra-articular plates) at 5, 10-, and 15-mm of distraction (p < 0.001). As regards stress over the plates, the maximum stress and the area under the curve (sum of all stresses measured throughout the distraction process) were significantly higher when the plates were inserted at the conventional position (group A) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: During anterior distal femoral hemiepiphysiodesis, the fixation of the eight plates in the coronal plane at the anterior part of the femoral condyles may produce a greater amount of correction and a lower degree of stress over the implants as compared to the conventional technique.

Lateral Column Lengthening Revisited: A Simple Intraoperative Approach to Ensure a True Extra-Articular Osteotomy.

Lateral column lengthening is a common method for treatment of patients with symptomatic flat feet. Although variations of the technique have been described by many authors, there is a lack of agreement about the exact location of the osteotomy. Most authors tried to find the interval between the anterior and middle talocalcaneal facets but did not offer a reproducible method to achieve this purpose. The use of a plantarflexion anteroposterior view of the foot provides better visualization of the anatomic landmarks and helps to precisely perform the osteotomy anterior to the sustentaculum tali, with protection of the anterior and middle talocalcaneal facets.

Orthopaedic publications from Egypt in the last five years: a bibliometric report.

INTRODUCTION: This review was done to find the trend for orthopaedic publications from Egypt in the last 5 years, detailing the specialties that are most published and comparing this with the surrounding Middle East region. METHODS: The search included orthopaedic-related articles published in journals that are listed in PubMed, including author affiliation from Egypt between 2013 and 2017. RESULTS: Four hundred eighty-one publications were found. The results showed that Trauma was the highest published branch while Arthroscopy has shown the highest increase since 2013 to become as Trauma by 2017. Two hundred seventy-two articles were published in Q1 and Q2 journals which represents 56.54% from the total publications. There were 1243 citations for these publications. The country ranking was between the fourth and fifth in Middle East region over the last five years. DISCUSSION: Publications are an important part of each country's research work. The trend for orthopaedic publication is showing an increase in subspecialty publications with a gradual increase in number of publications per year, while Egypt's position remains in the top five in the region.