Impact of spinal fusion on severity health status in scoliotic adolescents with polyhandicap.

BACKGROUND: Scoliosis constitutes a prevalent comorbidity in adolescents with polyhandicap and frequently leads to other severe impairments, impacting abilities and requiring complex caregiving strategies. Therefore, spinal fusion surgeries are commonly performed to alleviate pain and provide more comfort. However, spine stabilization has not previously been proven to improve the severity health status of adolescents with polyhandicap according to specific clinical scales. OBJECTIVE: This study describes and compares the severity health status of adolescents with polyhandicap before and after they underwent spinal fusion. METHODS: A monocentric retrospective observational study was conducted in the university hospital centre of Saint-Etienne, France. We included between 2009 to 2020, 30 scoliotic adolescents with polyhandicap who underwent spinal fusion performed with the same surgical technique and the same surgeon. The main outcome was the variation in the Polyhandicap Severity Scale (PSS) score after surgery. Secondary outcomes were variations in PSS subscores, quality of life scores, fronto-sagittal X-ray parameters, and measures of surgical complication rates and lengths of stay. RESULTS: Among 30 adolescents, 27 PSS analyses were performed. We found a significant improvement between pre- and postoperative PSS scores, mainly for pain and respiratory, digestive, and skin disabilities. These improvements were accompanied by significant reductions in pelvic obliquity, in frontal and sagittal curves. The mean hospital length of stay was 45 days. During postoperative period, patients received a personalized postoperative rehabilitation procedure with spasticity and pain treatments, physiotherapy, and verticalization (wheelchair sitting and positioning devices such as contoured seat intended to increase postural stability). The mortality rate was estimated at 7%. At least 1 complication per patient occurred. CONCLUSIONS: We show that spinal fusion surgeries confer a significant improvement in the severity health status in scoliotic adolescents with polyhandicap.

Diagnosis and treatment of cervical spine injuries in children.

Cervical spine injuries in children are a common reason for emergency room visits, while bone, ligament or spinal cord cervical lesions are relatively rare (1-1.5% of severe trauma in children) and mainly involve the upper cervical spine. The main causes are sports injuries, accidents at home and traffic accidents. Clinical triage is needed to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure from imaging. We propose a protocol to optimize the diagnosis and treatment. In children, conservative treatment using rigid immobilization (cervical collar or halo-vest) is the preferred option in stable and/or minimally displaced injuries. Frequent clinical and radiological monitoring is required to ensure the patient's condition does not deteriorate due to inappropriate or poorly tolerated treatment. In these cases, surgical treatment can be proposed as second-line treatment. Internal fixation is indicated as the first-line treatment if the injury is unstable or a neurological deficit is present. The fixation methods must be adapted to the pediatric population by taking into account the vertebral volume and residual growth potential. Intraoperative CT scans or neuronavigation can make the surgical procedure safer and easier. Clinical, radiographic and CT scan monitoring should continue until the end of growth in a child who underwent surgical treatment to quickly detect any mechanical complications or sagittal imbalance due to poor craniocervical or cervicothoracic alignment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

L-pinning for fifth metacarpal neck fracture in adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: Fifth metacarpal neck fracture is the most frequent type of hand fracture in adolescents between 13 and 16 years of age. It mainly affects males and the dominant hand. The L-pinning technique combines intramedullary anterograde pinning and transverse pinning between the 4th and 5th metacarpals. The present study aimed to assess L-pinning without postoperative immobilization in displaced 5th metacarpal fracture in adolescents with low residual growth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data for patients aged between 13 and 16 years, operated on for closed 5th metacarpal neck fracture between January 2017 and June 2019, were analyzed retrospectively. Surgery was indicated for angulation with>30° palmar tilt and/or horizontal malalignment. The technique consisted in intramedullary anterograde pinning and transverse pinning between the 4th and 5th metacarpal heads. No postoperative immobilization was applied. Hardware was removed as of day 28. The final clinical check-up was at≥12 months. RESULTS: Eighteen patients, all male, with a mean age of 14 years, were included. All had bone age≥14 years. Mean palmar tilt was 52°±6.8° versus 6°±2.4° postoperatively, for a mean correction of 45°±4.3°. Mean operating time was 15min, and X-ray exposure 0.36minutes for a mean radiation dose of 2.89 cGy/cm2. At hardware removal, all patients showed radiologic consolidation. At 3 months, 5th ray ranges of motion were normal, with no local complications. Functional results were maintained at last follow-up (≥12 months). CONCLUSION: L-pinning seemed reliable in terms of feasibility and stability of reduction in 5th metacarpal neck fracture in adolescents. Absence of postoperative immobilization facilitated self-rehabilitation and accelerated functional recovery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Outcomes of isolated soft tissue surgery for in-toeing gait in patients with ambulatory cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: Soft tissue surgery to address in-toeing gait in young cerebral palsy (CP) patients may be an alternative in some cases to femoral derotation osteotomy (FDO), which is the currently accepted treatment. The relative contribution of muscular contracture, spasticity and bone deformity is still controversial. In this study, we determined the outcomes of soft tissue surgery on hip internal rotation (HIR) when femoral anteversion was less than 45° and the soft tissues were identified as being the cause. METHODS: This prospective study included select adolescent patients who were operated in the context of single-event multilevel surgery. The soft tissues' contribution to the HIR was identified beforehand. The surgical procedures focused on the hamstrings, adductor magnus and gluteus minimus muscles. RESULTS: Over a 6-year period, 21 patients (mean age 14 years) and 25 lower limbs were treated. The HIR improved by an average of 17.4°±4.8° (95% CI). The gait deviation index and gait profile score also improved significantly. At a mean follow-up of 36 months, no loss of correction had occurred. DISCUSSION: In-toeing gait in CP patents is due to the action of retracted and/or spastic muscles and the presence of excessive bone torsion. When femoral anteversion<45°, confirming soft tissue involvement allows us to do a surgical procedure on the soft tissues only to correct the dynamic aspect of HIR. Our findings suggest that, under the right conditions, soft tissue surgery can improve in-toeing gain in the long term. This technique has its place alongside FDO in certain CP patients who do not have severe femoral anteversion.

Intra-medullary osteosclerosis of the tibia in children.

BACKGROUND: Intra-medullary osteosclerosis of the tibia is a rare condition characterised by chronic pain due to diaphyseal hyperostosis with no detectable triggering factor. The main differential diagnoses are stress fracture and osteoid osteoma. Of the few cases reported to date, most were in adults. The objective of this study was to assess paediatric patients with intra-medullary osteosclerosis to determine whether the first visit provides sufficient information to establish the diagnosis and rule out both osteoid osteoma and stress fracture, whether a biopsy is required, and which treatment is optimal. HYPOTHESIS: The diagnosis of intra-medullary osteosclerosis of the tibia can be made at the first visit. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seven paediatric patients, 4 males and 3 females, with a mean age of 11 years, were included in this retrospective study. We evaluated the clinical features, findings from imaging studies (standard radiographs, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and bone scintigraphy), and treatment outcomes. RESULTS: At the first visit, all patients had a painful swelling at the middle of the shin and imaging study evidence of antero-lateral tibial cortical thickening extending into the medullary cavity; in 5 patients, a linear lucency was visible. No other bone abnormalities were seen. Treatments included non-operative measures, pinning, and nailing. None of these treatments provided permanent bone healing or pain relief, although transitory freedom from pain with or without radiological bone healing was achieved. DISCUSSION: Intra-medullary osteosclerosis of the tibia is rarely reported and therefore probably underdiagnosed. Distinctive characteristics of the cortical and endosteal thickening include location at the antero-lateral mid-diaphysis and, in some cases, the concomitant presence of a linear lucency that can provide the early diagnosis. The distinctive radiological features allow differentiation from a stress fracture. The management is challenging. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective observational study.

The spastic hip in children and adolescents.

The hip is the joint most exposed to orthopaedic complications in cerebral palsy (CP), which is the main cause of spasticity in paediatric patients. The initial immaturity of the hip allows the forces applied by the spastic and retracted muscles to displace the femoral head, eventually causing it to dislocate. The risk of hip dislocation increases with the severity and extent of CP, exceeding 70% in the most severe cases. Hip dislocation causes pain in up to 30% of cases, carries a risk of orthopaedic and cutaneous complications and hinders patient installation and nursing care. These adverse outcomes warrant routine screening, which has been proven effective in lessening the frequency and severity of hip displacement. Preventive techniques including physical therapy, orthoses and treatments to alleviate spasticity are strongly recommended in every case. The beneficial effects of treating spasticity, if needed via neurosurgical procedures, have been convincingly established. Orthopaedic surgery is required when prevention fails. Soft-tissue release is designed to correct the asymmetry in the forces applied by the muscles. Femoral osteotomy creates the possibility for spontaneous correction of secondary acetabular dysplasia. Progress has been made in standardising the use of multilevel surgery involving the soft tissues, femur and pelvis, which is often effective in correcting the morphological abnormalities and stabilising the joint. When hip pain or alterations are severe, hip resection or total hip arthroplasty are highly effective in alleviating the pain and improving patient comfort. The spastic hip is a complex condition in which currently available screening protocols and treatment strategies have been proven effective in benefitting patient outcomes.

The National Pediatric Surgery Simulation Program in France: A tool to develop resident training in pediatric surgery.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: To implement resident curriculum in France based on theoretical teaching and bed side training, the national council known as the "Collège Hospitalier et Universitaire de Chirurgie Pédiatrique" examined the relevance and feasibility of systematically introducing simulation program in the pediatric surgery resident training. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A national simulation training program was developed and took place in a 2-day session organized in 7 simulation centers in France. The program included technical (laparoscopic/suturing technique on low-fidelity models) and nontechnical (6 scenarios for standardized consultation, and a team work scenario based on errors prevention in the operative room) skills. Evaluation of the program (Likert scale from 1 (bad) to 5 (excellent) and notation on 20 points) concerned trainees and trainers. RESULTS: 40 residents (95% of all pediatric surgery French residents) attended with a ratio of trainees/trainer of ½. The training objectives earned a score of 4.46/5. The pedagogical value of the seminar scored 4.7/5, teaching quality 17.95/20, and the overall seminar score was 17.35/20. CONCLUSION: This program, unique nationally, was assessed very favorably by the participating residents and by the involved trainers. To our knowledge, it represents the first mandatory national simulation training program included within a surgical training model. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Biomechanical maturation of joint dynamics during early childhood: updated conclusions.

Dynamic parameters have been commonly explored to characterize the biomechanical maturation of children's gaits, i.e., age-revealing joint moment and power patterns similar to adult patterns. However, the literature revealed a large disparity of conclusions about maturation depending on the study, which was most likely due to an inappropriate scaling strategy and uncontrolled walking speed. With the first years of independent walking, a large growth in height and a large variability of dimensionless walking speed are observed. Moreover, the dynamic parameters were not well studied during early childhood. In the present study, seventy-five healthy children between 1 and 6 years of age were assessed during gait trials at a self-selected speed. Four hundred and sixty-two gait trials constituting five age groups with comparable dimensionless walking speeds were selected. 3D joint moments and the power of the lower limbs were computed and expressed using a dimensionless scaling strategy (according to body weight, leg length and the acceleration of gravity). Statistical analysis was performed to examine inter-group differences. Based on the current results, we concluded the biomechanical maturation of joint dynamics occurred around an age of 4 years for the ankle and between 6 and 7 years for the knee and the hip. Moreover, age group comparisons seemed more appropriate in young children using both the dimensionless strategy and a similar walking speed. Future investigations will be conducted on an older population (i.e., adding children older than 6 years) to clearly define the status of knee and hip biomechanical maturation.

The effect of heparan sulfate application on bone formation during distraction osteogenesis.

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are recognized for their ability to induce bone formation in vivo and in vitro. Their osteogenic and osteoinductive properties are tightly regulated by the secretion of specific BMP antagonists, which have been shown to physically bind and sometimes be blocked by the extracellular proteoglycan heparan sulphate side chains (from hereon referred to as HS). The purpose of this study was to investigate if local application of 5 µg of HS proteoglycan to a bone regenerate site in a mouse model of distraction osteogenesis (DO) can accelerate bone healing and affect the expression of key members of the BMP signaling pathway. DO was performed on the right tibia of 115 adult male wild-type mice. At mid-distraction (day 11), half the group was injected locally with 5 µg of HS, while the other half was injected with saline. The mice were sacrificed at 2 time-points: mid-consolidation (34 days) and full consolidation (51 days). The distracted tibial zone was then collected for analysis by µCT, radiology, biomechanical testing, immunohistochemistry, and histology. While µCT data showed no statistically significant difference in bone formation, the results of biomechanical testing in stiffness and ultimate force were significantly lower in the HS-injected bones at 51 days, compared to controls. Immunohistochemistry results also suggested a decrease in expression of several key members of the BMP signaling pathway at 34 days. Furthermore, wound dehiscence and infection rates were significantly elevated in the HS group compared to the controls, which resulted in a higher rate of euthanasia in the treatment group. Our findings demonstrate that exogenous application of 5 µg of HS in the distracted gap of a murine model had a negative impact on bone and wound healing.

Masquelet's procedure and bone morphogenetic protein in congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia in children: a case series and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: A type 2 recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP2) and Masquelet's procedure were used in three children presenting with congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT). Recent studies on CPT suggested the presence in situ of pathologic tissues promoting pseudarthrosis. The authors hypothesized that large segmental resection of pseudarthrosis could improve prognosis of the CPT. Masquelet's procedure and rhBMP2 have been advocated for the treatment of long bone defect. METHOD: The authors report three cases of CPT in children treated with Masquelet's procedure and application of rhBMP2. They analyzed all published cases of CPT similarly treated. RESULTS: In the present study, Masquelet's procedure did not improve the results in the treatment of CPT, but segmental bone reconstruction was possible. Bone healing was obtained in three out of the five applications of rhBMP2. In one case, the patient's parents asked for leg amputation. Analysis of the 33 published cases with the application of BMP in CPT points to a 62 % healing rate in this pathology. CONCLUSION: The authors confirmed that segmental bone reconstruction is possible in CPT using Masquelet's procedure. In the literature, the success rate of the application of rhBMP in CPT appears to be lower than the healing rate usually reported without BMP. Nevertheless, the strict selection of patients, limited number of cases, and their heterogeneity make interpreting the results difficult. However, the theoretical risk which the children are exposed to during the use of BMP makes rigorous selection of the indications necessary. Finally, the interest of rhBMP2 application in Masquelet's procedure remained to be proven.

Foot mechanics during the first six years of independent walking.

Recognition of the changes during gait that occur normally as a part of growth is essential to prevent mislabeling those changes from adult gait as evidence of gait pathology. Currently, in the literature, the definition of a mature age for ankle joint dynamics is controversial (i.e., between 5 and 10 years). Moreover, the mature age of the metatarsophalangeal (MP) joint, which is essential for the functioning of the foot, has not been defined in the literature. Thus, the objective of the present study explored foot mechanics (ankle and MP joints) in young children to define a mature age of foot function. Forty-two healthy children between 1 and 6 years of age and eight adults were measured during gait. The ground reaction force (GRF), the MP and ankle joint angles, moments, powers, and 3D angles between the joint moment and the joint angular velocity vectors (3D angle α(M.ω)) were processed and compared between four age groups (2, 3.5, 5 and adults). Based on statistical analysis, the MP joint biomechanical parameters were similar between children (older than 2 years) and adults, hinting at a quick maturation of this joint mechanics. The ankle joint parameters and the GRFs (except for the frontal plane) showed an adult-like pattern in 5-year-old children. Some ankle joint parameters, such as the joint power and the 3D angle α(M.ω) still evolved significantly until 3.5 years. Based on these results, it would appear that foot maturation during gait is fully achieved at 5 years.

Bone metabolism in oxalosis: a single-center study using new imaging techniques and biomarkers.

The deposition of calcium oxalate crystals in the kidney and bone is a hallmark of primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1). We report here an evaluation of the bone status of 12 PH1 children based on bone biomarkers [parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23)] and radiological assessments (skeletal age, three-dimensional high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography, HR-pQCT) carried out within the framework of a cross-sectional single-center study. The controls consisted of healthy and children with chronic kidney disease already enrolled in local bone and mineral metabolism studies. The mean age (+ or - standard deviation) age of the patients was 99 (+ or - 63) months. Six children suffered from fracture. Bone maturation was accelerated in five patients, four of whom were <5 years. The combination of new imaging techniques and biomarkers highlighted new and unexplained features of PH1: advanced skeletal age in young PH1 patients, increased FGF23 levels and decreased total volumetric bone mineral density with bone microarchitecture alteration.

Enhancement of difficult nonunion in children with osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1): early experience.

UNLABELLED: Numerous studies have described the use of osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1) in adults, but there are few reports in children. The objectives of this short-term followup cohort study were (1) to examine clinical and radiographic healing of persistent nonunions after OP-1 application in children; and (2) to determine the safety of OP-1 use in this sample. Clinical healing was defined by absence of pain and tenderness at the nonunion site and the ability to fully weight bear on the affected limb. Radiographic healing was determined by bony bridging of the nonunion site in at least one view. Safety was defined as the absence of major adverse events, including allergic reactions, infections, local inflammatory reactions, and heterotopic ossification. OP-1 was used in 19 patients who had an operative procedure for the bridging of persistent nonunions between 1999 and 2007. The mean age was 11.6 years (range, 4.8-20.3 years). Thirteen patients had persistent nonunion after one or more previous surgeries, prior to the initial OP-1 application. A single dose of 3.5 mg of OP-1 mixed with 1 g of Type I bovine collagen was applied to 23 sites of 19 patients. Three patients received additional OP-1 applications. Healing occurred clinically and radiographically in 17 of the 23 sites. Complications included four superficial pin site infections, one deep infection, and two fractures. No major local adverse event related to OP-1 application was noted in our sample. Our findings suggest OP-1 stimulates healing of persistent nonunions without major adverse events in our patient population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series. See the guidelines online for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Pediatric bone and joint infections caused by Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive Staphylococcus aureus.

BACKGROUND: Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is a necrotizing toxin secreted by Staphylococcus aureus. PVL-positive S. aureus osteomyelitis and arthritis have been described. METHODS: We analyzed demographic, clinical, laboratory, microbiologic, and imaging data in a study group of 14 pediatric cases with PVL-positive S. aureus osteomyelitis and arthritis diagnosed between 2001 and 2005 and compared results with a control group of 17 pediatric cases of PVL-negative S. aureus osteomyelitis and arthritis treated in our institution during the same period. Treatments and outcome were studied. RESULTS: The severity of PVL-positive S. aureus bone and joint infections was indicated by the presence of severe sepsis in all cases and of septic shock in 6 of the 14 patients. By comparison, severe sepsis was not noted in the control group (P = 0.004). On admission, the median C-reactive protein value was significantly higher in the study group (202.6 mg/L versus 83 mg/L in the control group; P = 0.001). Eleven patients with PVL-positive infection had local extension of the infection by magnetic resonance imaging and 7 patients had severe deep-seated infectious complications by computed tomography. By contrast only 1 patient in the control group presented with bone abscess without extension and none had deep-seated infection (P < 0.001). The median length of hospitalization was 45.5 days in the study group versus 13 days in the control group (P < 0.001). The median duration of intravenous antibacterial chemotherapy was 48 days versus 11.3 days in the control group (P < 0.001). Ten patients (71%) of the study group required surgical procedures with a mean of 3 procedures (range, 1-5) whereas 3 patients (17%) of the control group required 1 surgical drainage each (P = 0.002). All the patients survived, but only 2 patients of the study group were free of long-term complications, whereas there were no long-term complications noted in the control group. CONCLUSION: PVL-positive S. aureus bone and joint infection is severe and requires prolonged treatment. Local complications are more frequent and often need repeated surgical drainage.

Focal fibrocartilaginous dysplasia ("fibrous periosteal inclusion"): an additional series of eleven cases and literature review.

Focal fibrocartilaginous dysplasia (FFCD) is a benign condition first described in 1985 as a cause of tibia vara. We are reporting on 11 cases. The lesions involved proximal tibia (9 cases), distal femur (1 case), and distal ulna (1 case). We believe that this entity represents a bony anchor preventing natural sliding of the periosteum during growth (an "epiphysiodesis-like" effect). For the tibia, we believe this is the pes anserinus. We are suggesting that this entity be called a "fibrous periostal inclusion." Treatment indications result from this concept: (1) for tibial lesions with a metaphyseal-diaphyseal angle less than 20 degrees observation for 6 to 12 months; (2) if the deformity improves, the tether likely broke spontaneously, and no treatment is required; and (3) curettage early if the deformity worsens. This will be followed by rapid correction into physiological valgus (tibia) and prevent the need for osteotomy. Early curettage for other less common locations is recommended.