Vascularised fibula or induced membrane to treat congenital pseudarthrosis of the Tibia: A multicentre study of 18 patients with a mean 9.5-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to compare outcomes of two surgical techniques used to treat congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT), the induced membrane technique (IM) and the transfer of the contralateral vascularised fibula (VF). HYPOTHESIS: The IM technique produces similar outcomes to those of VF grafting in terms of healing and function, while being simpler and having a lower complication rate. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This retrospective multicentre study included 18 patients with a mean age of 2.8 years at surgery. Among them, 11 had neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). The IM technique was used in 10 patients and VF grafting in 8 patients. Mean follow-up was 9.5 years (range: 5-15 years). RESULTS: The two groups showed no significant differences for healing or the occurrence of complications such as limb length discrepancy and residual malalignment. Two patients required amputation, one in each group. The mean number of surgical procedures per patient was 4.7 in the IM group and 5 in the VF group. DISCUSSION: Outcomes are similar with the two techniques. Although VF grafting theoretically involves a single stage, the mean number of surgical procedures was not lower than after the IM technique. The IM technique was associated with lower risks of complications and residual donor site abnormalities. Regardless of the reconstruction technique, the quality of the initial bone resection and internal fixation, particularly regarding alignment, is of the utmost importance. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, comparative retrospective study.

[Transverse sacral fracture in children: a case report presenting with neurological injury and review of the literature]. / Fracture transversale du sacrum chez l'enfant.

Transverse fractures of the sacrum are exceptional in children. We report a case in a 10-year-old girl. The patient presented an isolated flexion fracture of the sacrum in Denis zone III (transverse "U" fracture) of S1-S2 with neurological signs at the initial examination: sensorial deficit in the perineum and sphincter dysfunction. Treatment consisted in laminectomy and bone resection to relieve compression causing the neurological injury. Orthopedic treatment led to correct bone healing. Outcome was favorable with complete resolution of the neurological deficit and stability at three years. Eight cases of transverse sacral fracture before the age of 18 years have been reported in the literature. The diagnostic elements are similar to those in adults, but can be missed in children who rarely present sacral fracture. The therapeutic approach has varied, both for children and adults. We advocate surgical treatment in the event of neurological complications and orthopedic treatment of stable bone lesions.

[Prognostic factors of secondary complications in pediatric traumatology: a prospective study of 700 patients]. / Facteurs pronostiques de complications secondaires en traumatologie pédiatrique: enquête prospective sur 700 patients.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the study was to estimate prevalence of therapeutic complications in a department of orthopedics pediatric surgery, and to determine predictors of minor and serious complications. METHODS: Between November 1996 and 1997, children less than or equal to 17 years of age, admitted for bone fracture (head and face excepted) were selected in a prospective study. In all, 700 children were treated until bone consolidation. Individual, socio-economic, anatomical, environmental and therapeutic factors were progressively registered. All complications were noted. RESULTS: The mean age of the children was 9.2 years; 25 patients could not be traced. Prevalence rate of therapeutic complications was 10.3%. In multivariate analysis using logistic regression, six factors increased the risk of adverse event: kind of fracture (diaphysial), comminuted aspect, compounded fracture and bone displacement, season (spring and autumn), and use of medical transport between accident place and hospital. The same factors, season and compounded fracture excepted, were predictors of serious complications. CONCLUSION: The results show that therapeutic complications depend on anatomical and environmental factors above all, and that medical procedure is not a prognosis factor. So if prevention of fractures is possible before injury, a better knowledge of initial risk can improve prevention of complications.

[Scoliosis and congenital diaphragmatic agenesis]. / Scolioses associées aux aplasies de coupole diaphragmatique.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Diaphragmatic agenesis is the most extreme anatomic form of congenital diaphragmatic defects. Clinically this pathology is not different from posterolateral diaphragmatic hernia described by Bochdalek. We describe our observations of scoliosis in 16 neonates with diaphragmatic agenesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1987 and 1996, 69 neonates underwent surgery for a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) at our institution. Sixteen of these patients had the most extreme form of CDH. Ten of these 16 patients survived. Spinal and/or chest wall deformities were observed in nine patients, including isolated scoliosis in two patients, scoliosis associated with a chest wall deformity in three, and isolated chest wall deformity (pectus excavatum or pectus carnium) in four. These deformities developed between 13 months and three and a half years of age (mean: two years). RESULTS: For two patients the deformity was mild (Cobb angle<15 degrees ) and required only observation. A Milwaukee brace was used in three patients that had severe kyphoscoliosis. Isolated chest wall deformities were treated with observation. No patient required operative treatment for these skeletal deformities. DISCUSSION: The preliminary results of this study indicate that chest wall deformities and scoliosis frequently occur during surgery for diaphragmatic agenesis. Nonoperative treatment is usually sufficient, however, follow-up of these patients until adulthood is recommended.

[Initial management of congenital varus equinus clubfoot by Ponseti's method]. / Prise en charge initiale du pied bot varus équin congénital selon la méthode de Ponseti.

The choice of first-line treatment for congenital varus equine clubfoot remains a controversial issue largely dependent on experience. In France, functional treatment predominates. In 1948, Ponseti proposed reducing the deformity with successive casts. Although cast treatment is a very old method, Ponseti's method is original because it is based on strict rules established from anatomic evidence. The goal is not to correct the apparent deformation, but on the contrary to impose a simultaneous supination and abduction of the foot. Once the calcaneopedal block has been derotated, percutaneous tenotomy of the Achilles tendon is performed. We relate our experience with this method and recall the precise technique used to make the casts. After the cast, derotation braces are worn at night but rehabilitation exercises are not required. We emphasize the quality of the clinical reduction achieved as well as the smaller number of patients who require surgery at walking age.

Variability in the presentation of synovial sarcoma in children: a plea for greater awareness.

We have analysed the pattern of symptoms in patients presenting with synovial sarcoma to identify factors which led to long delays in diagnosis. In 35 children, the early symptoms and the results of clinical and radiological investigation were reviewed, along with the presumed diagnoses. The duration of symptoms was separated into patient delay and doctor delay. Only half of the patients had one or more of the four clinical findings suggestive of sarcoma according to the guidance of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence at the onset of symptoms. Of the 33 children for whom data were available, 16 (48.5%) presented with a painless mass and in ten (30.3%) no mass was identified. Seven (21.2%) had an unexplained joint contracture. Many had been extensively investigated unsuccessfully. The mean duration of symptoms was 98 weeks (2 to 364), the mean patient delay was 43 weeks (0 to 156) and the mean doctor delay was 50 weeks (0 to 362). The mean number of doctors seen before referral was three (1 to 6) and for 15 patients the diagnosis was obtained after unplanned excision. Tumours around the knee and elbow were associated with a longer duration of symptoms and longer doctor delay compared with those at other sites. Delays did not improve significantly over the period of our study of 21 years, and we were unable to show that delay in diagnosis led to a worse prognosis. Our findings highlight the variety of symptoms associated with synovial sarcoma and encourage greater awareness of this tumour as a potential diagnosis in childhood.