[Post-traumatic instability between the atlas and the axis in children. Apropos of 5 cases]. / Instabilités post-traumatiques entre l'atlas et l'axis chez l'enfant. A propos de cinq observations.

The authors have observed 5 cases of atlanto-axial instability in children aged from 18 months to 8 years. All the cases were seen after severe trauma and presented with abnormal neurological signs. All patients were first treated conservatively and were operated on secondarily by atlanto-axial fusion using graft and wiring for persistent radiological instability between the atlas and axis. In two cases instability was due to an atlanto-axial subluxation with rupture of the transverse ligament; one of these was reduced by traction. In one case there was an anterior subluxation without fracture. In one case there was a fracture of the odontoid process in which instability persisted in spite of bony union of the fracture. In the last case, the odontoid process was intact shortly after the trauma but its central portion disappeared secondarily. The cause of this disappearance is discussed.

[Progressive bone lengthening using Wagner's technique (author's transl)]. / Allongements progressifs selon la technique de H. Wagner. Résultat et étude critique des 30 premiers cas.

The authors have reviewed the results of 30 surgical procedures of progressive bone lengthening using the Wagner's technique. In 28 cases, internal fixation was applied at the end of the lengthening period. There were 17 femora and 13 tibae operated on. In 6 cases, lengthening was associated with a correction of the alignment of the femur, and in 2 cases was associated with the treatment of a non-union of the tibia. Complications are described; they were found to be relatively rare.

[Spinal deformities in Marfan disease]. / Déformations rachidiennes de la maladie de Marfan.

Spinal deformities are frequent in Marfan's disease. 37 patients were examined at the average age of 11 years. 32 showed a spinal deformity. The treatment of the spinal deformity was a brace in 15 cases, surgery in 16 cases (including 5 cases after brace-failure). 7 cases were just followed-up without treatment. Bracing was efficient only for mild curves, this treatment was satisfying 4 times out of 11 with adequate follow-up. The surgical treatment in 16 cases was a posterior fusion twice associated with anterior fusion. We used the same technique as for idiopathic scoliosis with Harrington instrumentation 5 times, Harrington with sublaminar wires 4 times and Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation 7 times. The correction of scoliosis was achieved in 48.2 per cent. The use of segmental instrumentation compared with the use of the Harrington instrumentation can explain the small number of non unions and the improvement of the lateral spinal balance. We did not note any cardiovascular complication during or early after the operation. Aortic lesions were responsible of one death in the long term, three patients went through a surgical replacement of aortic valves or the aorta.