Demographics and clinical presentation of slipped capital femoral epiphysis in Singapore: comparing the East with the West.

This study examines the demographics and clinical presentation of slipped capital femoral epiphysis in Singapore. Sixty-six patients (53 boys, 13 girls) with 77 involved hips were reviewed retrospectively. Local prevalence was 1.2/100,000 children. Twenty-four patients were Chinese, 12 were Malay, 27 were Indians, and three patients were Eurasians. A total of 76.6% of patients above the 90th percentile for body weight were present; 16.7% of patients had bilateral involvement. Seventeen patients had endocrine-related problems. We had a high male preponderance, and a disproportionately high number of Indian patients. A high proportion of patients were obese. Our incidence of bilateral involvement seems to be higher than our Indonesian neighbors. The differences seen may be due to genetic and sociocultural variations.

Review of the management outcome of slipped capital femoral epiphysis and the role of prophylactic contra-lateral pinning re-examined.

INTRODUCTION: Slipped capital femoral epiphysis is the most common hip problem in the adolescent age group. It can involve both hips, presenting itself bilaterally at first presentation or sequentially. The overall incidence of bilateral disease is variable, but the risk of occurrence is higher when there is underlying endocrinopathy, renal disease and obesity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Amongst the 36 cases (44 hips) of slipped capital femoral epiphysis that we had, there were 8 cases of bilateral disease, of which 3 were bilateral sequential slips. A retrospective review of all case records and X-rays was done. RESULTS: According to Aadalen's criteria, the results were excellent or good in 37 hips, fair in 3 hips, and poor in 2 hips. Two patients were considered as treatment failure because of avascular necrosis. The incidence of bilateral slipped capital femoral epiphysis was 22.2%. The overall average age was 11.4 years. All cases of sequential involvement presented within 15 months of the initial slip. One patient had hypothyroidism (who also had a positive family history for slipped capital femoral epiphysis), while 91.6% were above the 75th percentile for weight. There was no statistically significant difference in age, sex, race, body mass index (BMI) and weight percentile distribution between patients with unilateral and bilateral disease. CONCLUSION: Satisfactory outcomes can be expected in most patients treated for slipped capital femoral epiphysis. The risk of avascular necrosis is higher in unstable slips. The role of prophylactic contra-lateral pinning should be restricted to patients with hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis disease, especially hypothyroidism.

Open Gustilo 1 and 2 midshaft fractures of the radius and ulna in children: is there a role for cast immobilization after wound debridement?

INTRODUCTION: Open fractures of the forearm in children are one of the indications for open reduction and internal fixation. Fixation allows for soft tissue management and maintenance of reduction. This study compares the outcome of open Gustilo 1 and 2 midshaft forearm fractures treated with cast immobilization versus the outcome of those treated with internal fixation after wound debridement. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of the cases of 31 children treated in Kandang Kerbau Women's and Children's Hospital from 1998 to 2005. All had wound debridement, followed by cast immobilization in 15 patients and implant stabilization in 16 others, using plates and screws or intramedullary K-wires. The patients were assessed at final follow-up using the classification by Price. RESULTS: Both treatment groups had 100% excellent or good results. There was no significant difference in time to union. However, there was a higher incidence rate of delayed union and infection when treated with implant stabilization. The main complication associated with cast immobilization was loss of reduction (4 cases), of which 1 case required a second manipulation. DISCUSSION: Despite the trend toward implant stabilization of all open forearm fractures, this study shows that there is still a role for cast immobilization in its treatment of Gustilo 1 and 2 open forearm fractures as long as proper casting technique and close follow-up is achieved. However, internal fixation should be considered in cases where the fracture is noted intraoperatively to be unstable or if attempted reduction fails, bearing in mind the possible complications associated with internal fixation.

Open reduction and annular ligament reconstruction with fascia of the forearm in chronic monteggia lesions in children.

Fifteen children with chronic Monteggia lesions were treated with open reduction, annular ligament reconstruction with fascia of the forearm, and ulnar osteotomy. Mean age was 8 years 3 months (range 3-16 years). The chronicity of missed Monteggia was from 6 weeks to 2 years (mean 12 weeks). All patients were classified as Bado type I, except one with Bado type III. Mean follow-up was 4 years 3 months after surgery. There was a loss of pronation in six cases with the mean of 16 degrees. However, only four cases had rotational loss; the others had a mean rotational arch increase of 5 degrees. The flexion arches improved in all patients, with a mean of 27.7 degrees. The functional result was excellent in 11 patients, good in 3 patients, and poor in 1 patient. This one-incision approach is safe in treating chronic Monteggia lesions in children.

The treatment outcome of trigger thumb in children.

Our objectives were to determine the treatment outcome of trigger thumb and to identify its possible cause. One hundred and thirty-eight thumbs from 115 children were reviewed. There was an overall success rate of 66% following conservative treatment and the success rate appears to be higher in the younger age group and in those treated with splint therapy, which includes wearing a splint and regular therapy exercises. The outcome of the children who underwent surgery was good with a recurrence rate of 1.4% and a wound infection rate of 2.8%. Our results suggest that a more conservative approach to this problem should be adopted. Our data also suggest that this condition may be acquired rather than congenital.