Choi IIIB sequelae of septic hip: Etiologically different entities clubbed together?

Background: Choi IIIB sequela (pseudarthrosis of femoral neck) is an uncommon complication of septic hip. Only few cases are reported in literature and experience with the entity is limited. Variable pseudarthrosis behaviour and treatment outcomes are reported questioning the mechanical etiology for Choi III sequela. Methods: We briefly analysed the relevant literature and propose two different pathomechanism for the entity. Three illustrative cases in support of proposed etiology are presented. Results: There seems to be two distinct mechanisms of pseudarthrosis formation in Choi IIIB. The originally described mechanism is the articulating head getting dissociated from proximal femur due to a mechanical cause. The second proposed mechanism is the damage of physis and adjoining metaphysis by the septic inflammatory process (Choi II type sequela). Conclusions: It is important to understand the possible etiologies in Choi IIIB pseudarthrosis as the treatment planning and outcomes may vary. It will also help in prognostication.

Effect of non-vascularized fibular harvest on the donor limb: radiological evaluation at a mean follow-up of twelve point eight years.

PURPOSE: The study is aimed at evaluating the long-term (at a minimum follow-up of 10 years) impact of non-vascularized fibular harvest on the donor limbs. METHODS: There were 27 donor limbs (n = 19 children) available for retrospective radiological review. The graft was obtained bilaterally in eight patients. The following parameters were evaluated in the follow-up radiographs: continuity/non-continuity of fibular regenerate, width of the regenerated fibula, distal fibular station, medial proximal tibial angle, posterior proximal tibial angle, lateral distal tibial angle (LDTA), anterior distal tibial angle, and tibia diaphyseal angulation (interphyseal angles). For analysis and comparisons, the donor limbs were compared to the healthy limbs (controls) of the children with unilateral harvest. Additionally, the impact of continuous and non-continuous fibular regeneration was separately analyzed. RESULTS: The mean child's age at the time of fibular harvest was four years. The mean follow-up was 12.8 years. The fibula was found regenerated in continuity in 22 limbs of 15 children (81.5%). When analyzed as a combined group (both continuous and non-continuous fibular regenerations), all the donor limb radiological parameters matched those of healthy limbs except LDTA (p = 0.04). In the subgroup analysis between non-continuous and continuous fibulae, significant abnormalities were again obvious in LDTA (p = 0.0001). The non-continuous fibulae were significantly lesser in width. All limbs with non-continuous fibular regeneration manifested ankle valgus. CONCLUSIONS: The non-vascularized fibula emerged as a relatively safe procedure in the long term with minimal affections of the knee, ankle, or tibial anatomy when longitudinal integrity of fibula was restored. The non-regenerations of the fibula may be prone to developing ankle valgus.