No Value Found With Routine Early Postoperative Radiographs after Implant Removal in Pediatric Patients.

BACKGROUND: Implants are routinely removed in pediatric patients. Fracture through the prior implant site is a common worry after implant removal. Early post-implant removal radiographs are routinely used to evaluate the prior implant removal sites and to assess when a patient may return to normal activities. To our knowledge, the value of early, routine postoperative radiographs after elective implant removal in pediatric patients has not been studied. METHODS: A retrospective patient cohort of pediatric patients who had implant removal from an extremity from 2017 to 2019 was used in this study. Data were collected for patient demographics, implant site, reason for primary surgery, complications, number of postoperative radiographs, radiation exposure, cost of imaging, and whether the postoperative plan was changed by imaging. RESULTS: Two hundred ninety patients were included in the study. Postoperative plans were changed only in 0.69% of patients (n = 2) because of abnormal 2-week radiographs and 1.72% (n = 5) because of abnormal 6-week radiographs. However, the event's proportion difference (change of management) was not statically significant ( P = 0.182) between those who had a radiograph obtained and those who did not. The mean follow-up time was 16 months. The mean number of postoperative radiographs obtained was 3.74, the mean cost per radiograph was $103, and the mean postoperative radiation exposure was 1.34 mSv. No fractures were observed after implant removal. DISCUSSION: A retrospective review of the value of early, postoperative radiographs after routine orthopaedic implant removal found that postoperative radiographs at 2 and 6 weeks did not change the postoperative plan for most of the patients. Postoperative radiographs have an average cost of $103, and radiation exposure equal to approximately 6 months of natural background radiation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Can placement of hook at the upper instrumented level decrease the proximal junctional kyphosis risk in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis?

OBJECTIVE: Proximal junctional kyphosis is a commonly encountered clinical and radiographic phenomenon after pediatric and adolescent spinal deformity surgery that may lead to postoperative deformity, pain, and dissatisfaction. The purpose of the study was to identify whether the placement of transverse process hooks is an effective way to prevent PJK. METHODS: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients who underwent posterior spinal fusion between November 2015 and May 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. A minimum 2-year follow-up was required. Demographic and surgical data included UIV level type of instrumentation (hook vs screw) were reported. Radiologic parameters included main curve Cobb angle, thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence (PI), and proximal junctional angle (PJA) were assessed. Patients were divided into two groups based on the type of instrumentation at the UIV level whether placement of hook versus pedicle screw. RESULTS: Three hundred and thirty-seven patients were included with the mean age 14.2 ± 1.9 years. Thirty patients (8.9%) were diagnosed with proximal junctional kyphosis radiographically. PJK incidence was found 3.2% (5/154) in the hook group and 13.3% (23/172) in the screw group and the difference found statistically significant. In the PJK group, preoperative thoracic kyphosis and the degree of kyphosis correction were also significantly higher than non-PJK patients. CONCLUSION: Placement of transverse process hooks at the UIV level in posterior spinal fusion surgery for AIS patients was associated with decreased risk of PJK. A larger preoperative kyphosis and greater degree of kyphosis correction correlated with PJK.

Proximal junctional kyphosis in pediatric spinal deformity surgery: a systematic review and critical analysis.

PURPOSE: Proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) is a commonly encountered clinical and radiographic phenomenon after pediatric and adolescent spinal deformity surgery that may lead to post-operative deformity, pain, and dissatisfaction. Understanding the risk factors of PJK can be useful for pre-operative informed consent as well as to identify any potential preventative strategies. METHODS: We performed a systematic review and critical analysis following the PRISMA statement in July 2019 by searching the PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases, including all prior published studies. We included articles with data on PJK in patients with operative pediatric and adolescent scoliosis and those that detailed risk factors and/or preventative strategies for PJK. Levels of evidence were determined based on consensus. Findings were summarized and grades of recommendation were assigned by consensus. This study was registered in the PROSPERO database; 202,457. RESULTS: Six hundred and thirty five studies were identified. Thirty-seven studies met criteria for inclusion into the analysis. No studies including neuromuscular scoliosis met inclusion criteria. No findings had Grade A evidence. There were 4 findings found to contribute to PJK with Grade B evidence in EOS: higher number of distractions, disruption of posterior elements, greater sagittal plane correction. There was no difference in incidence noted between etiology of the curvature. Five findings with Grade B evidence were found to contribute to PJK in AIS populations: higher pre-operative thoracic kyphosis, higher pre-operative lumbar lordosis, longer fusion constructs, greater sagittal plane correction, and posterior versus anterior fusion constructs. CONCLUSION: Greater sagittal plane correction has Grade B evidence as a risk factor for PJK in both EOS and AIS populations. In EOS patients, an increased number of distractions and posterior element disruption are Grade B risk factors. In AIS patients, longer fusion constructs, higher pre-operative thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis, and posterior (as opposed to anterior) constructs also contributed to PJK with Grade B evidence. These findings can guide informed consent and surgical management, and provide the foundation for future studies.

Postoperative Correction in Idiopathic Scoliosis: Which Preoperative Imaging Technique Is Most Predictive?

INTRODUCTION: Preoperative radiographic assessment of curve flexibility in patients with idiopathic scoliosis is important to determine Lenke classification, operative levels, and potential postoperative correction. However, no consensus exists regarding the optimal technique. We compared measurements from supine side bending (SB) and intraoperative traction radiographs under general anesthesia (TUGA) with actual postoperative correction followed for 1 year. METHODS: We identified 235 patients with idiopathic scoliosis who underwent posterior spinal fusion with pedicle screw instrumentation between 2010 and 2018 who had preoperative and postoperative radiographs including standing posterior-anterior (PA) and lateral radiographs, preoperative SB radiographs, and TUGA radiographs. Curves were categorized into proximal thoracic, main thoracic/thoracolumbar (MT), and distal thoracolumbar/lumbar (TL/L) curves. Flexibility was calculated from SB and TUGA radiographs. Correction rates were calculated from 1 month and 1 year radiographs postoperatively. Bending radiographs that correlated significantly with postoperative correction with P<0.10 were eligible for inclusion. Preoperative demographics, etiology, deformity details, and surgical details were included in the multivariate models. RESULTS: On univariate analysis, TUGA radiographs correlated with postoperative correction at 1 month and 1 year on MT curves (r=0.214, P=0.001; r=0.209, P=0.001) and TL/L curves (r=0.280, P<0.001; r=0.181, P=0.006). Supine SB radiographs did not correlate with postoperative correction on either MT or T/TL curves. On multivariate analysis, major curve TUGA radiographs were independently associated with postoperative MT curve correction at 1 month (beta: 0.158, 95% confidence interval: 0.035-0.280, P=0.012) and 1 year (beta: 0.195, 95% confidence interval: 0.049-0.340, P=0.009). MT curve SB radiographs were not associated with postoperative major curve correction at 1 month (P=0.088). CONCLUSIONS: TUGA radiographs independently correlated with postoperative main thoracic and distal thoracolumbar/lumbar curve correction at 1 month and 1 year postoperatively. SB radiographs independently correlated only with TL/L curve correction at 1 year postoperatively. However, this correlation was not as strong as TUGA correction (beta of 0.280 vs. beta of 0.092). TUGA radiographs appear superior to SB radiographs at predicting curve correction after surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Getting Them Back in the Game: When Can Athletes With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Safely Return to Sports? A Mixed-effects Study of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Association of North America.

BACKGROUND: Despite the relative frequency of posterior spinal fusion (PSF) and instrumentation for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), there are limited guidelines for postoperative return to sports. Few studies explore factors influencing treating surgeons' recommendations. METHODS: A survey presenting several clinical vignettes of patients who had undergone PSF for AIS was distributed to 1496 Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) members. Of the 257 returned surveys, 170 met the inclusion criteria. Mixed-effects models were created to assess the effects of the surgeon and hypothetical patient characteristics on return to jogging, noncontact, contact, and collision sports. RESULTS: Estimated marginal mean time to return to sporting activities increased for more physically demanding sports [jogging: 4.1 mo, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.8-4.3; noncontact: 4.6 mo, 95% CI: 4.3-4.9; contact: 6.8 mo, 95% CI: 6.4-7.1; collision: 9.8 mo, 95% CI: 9.2-10.4]. Hypothetical patient characteristics (sex, age, obesity, skeletal maturity, levels fused, and fusions ending in thoracic versus lumbar spine) were not associated with changes in return to sport recommendations for jogging, noncontact, contact, or collision activities. Surgeon volume, experience, fellowship type, and practice setting all affected return to all activities (P<0.05). Surgeons with prior complications from return to sport delayed return to collision activities (9.4 mo, 95% CI: 8.4-10.3) versus surgeons without complications (7.2 mo, 95% CI: 5.7-8.7, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons currently allow earlier return to high-intensity sports after PSF for AIS compared with previous studies. Protocol trends vary based on physician-related factors such as years in practice, case volume, fellowship training, practice type, and prior experience with complications. Patient-related factors were not found to impact return to sport protocols. This survey provides a portrait of current practice trends and serves as a foundation for future investigation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V-survey study.

Is There Value in Venous Thromboembolism Chemoprophylaxis After Pediatric Scoliosis Surgery? A 28-Year Single Center Study.

BACKGROUND: With a recognized increase in the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in children, especially in those with complex, chronic conditions, it is important for patient safety and risk management to identify subgroups that would benefit from prophylactic treatment. The aim of our study was to assess whether scoliosis surgery in children was associated with an increased incidence of VTE, including deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism, and if chemoprophylaxis is warranted. METHODS: We reviewed our institution's Pediatric Orthopaedic Spine Database (1992-2019) to identify patients who had a symptomatic VTE postoperatively. RESULTS: There were 1471 patients (1035 female, 436 male) with a mean age at surgery of 12.1±3.2 years (range, 1 to 18 y) underwent posterior spinal fusion and instrumentation (2131 procedures). No patients were given pharmacological VTE prophylaxis, and no routine screening for VTE was performed. Two patients had a lower extremity DVT (0.13%) within 6 months following surgery, (range, 55 to 161 d). Neither patient had a subsequent pulmonary embolism. They were 9 and 17 years of age with a diagnosis of neuromuscular scoliosis (1 each postpolio and myelodysplasia). One affected patient had a central venous line inserted perioperatively, a known risk factor for thromboembolism. All DVTs were treated with appropriately dosed anticoagulants. None had a family history of hypercoagulation. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of symptomatic VTE is extraordinarily low after pediatric spinal deformity surgery. Mechanical prophylaxis is sufficient in most cases. Further multi-center studies may help identify patient specific risk factors.

Current Concepts in Pediatric Septic Arthritis.

Septic arthritis continues to present challenges regarding the clinical diagnosis, workup, and definitive management. Urgent management is essential, so treating surgeons must efficiently work through differential diagnoses, identify concomitant infections, and do a timely irrigation and débridement. The incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is increasing, typically resulting in a more rapid progression of symptoms with more severe clinical presentation. The diagnostic utility of MRI has resulted in improved detection of concomitant septic arthritis and osteomyelitis, although MRI must not substantially delay definitive management. Early diagnosis followed by urgent irrigation and débridement and antibiotic therapy are essential for satisfactory long-term outcomes. Antibiotics should not be administered until blood cultures and arthrocentesis fluid are obtained, except in rare cases of a septic or toxic patient. Once cultures are obtained, empiric antibiotic therapy should commence and provide coverage for the most likely pathogens, given the patient's age. Laboratory markers, especially C-reactive protein, should be followed until normalization and correlate with resolution of clinical symptoms. Definitive antibiotic selection should be shared with a pediatric infectious disease specialist, who can help guide the duration of treatment.

Bicolumnar 90-90 plating of AO 13C type fractures.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate functional results and complication rate of patients who underwent medial-dorsolateral plating for intra-articular distal humeral fracture (Müller AO type 13C). METHODS: Twenty-four patients (14 men, 10 women; mean age: 47 years) with AO type 13C distal humerus fracture were included in the study. Mean follow-up time was 28 months. Nine patients were in 13C1 subgroup, according to AO classification system, 11 patients were categorized as 13C2, and 4 patients were 13C3. Final follow-up assessment of outcomes included Broberg and Morrey radiological criteria; Mayo Elbow Performance Score, disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Outcome Measure, score based on Jupiter criteria; and range of motion (ROM) values. RESULTS: The mean carrying angle of operated elbows was 11.37° (range: 0-20°). According to Broberg and Morrey radiological criteria, 14 patients, had radiologically normal elbow, 4 patients had mild change, 3 patients had moderate change, and 3 patients had severe radiological change. Mean DASH score was 21.91 (range: 0-50), and mean Mayo rating was 83.37 (range: 55-100). Jupiter criteria evaluation revealed excellent results in 10 cases, good in 12, and fair results in 2. One patient with fair result had open fracture, and the other had previous hemiparesis in the same extremity. There was no instance of nonunion observed at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Osteosynthesis with medial-dorsolateral plating is a safe and effective method for the treatment of intra-articular fractures of distal humerus. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Therapeutic study.