Comparative risk of ulnar nerve injury in pediatric supracondylar humeral fractures: a multicenter evaluation of Kirschner wire fixation techniques.

PURPOSE: This multicenter, retrospective cohort study aimed to compare the risk of ulnar nerve injury in pediatric supracondylar humeral fractures treated with percutaneous lateral-pins, blinded-crossed-pins, and crossed-pins with a mini-incision. METHODS: Data were collected from 1705 children treated between January 2010 and December 2023 at four orthopedic centers in Colombia. The incidence of postoperative ulnar nerve injury was compared among three fixation techniques: lateral-pin, blinded-crossed-pin, and crossed-pin with a mini-incision. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference in nerve injury rates was observed between the lateral-pin and both blinded-crossed-pin and mini-incision crossed-pin techniques (p < 0.001), with the lateral-pin technique demonstrating a significantly lower risk of injury. No significant difference was found between the blinded-crossed-pin and mini-incision crossed-pin techniques (p = 0.67). CONCLUSION: Crossed-pin fixation was associated with a higher incidence of ulnar nerve injury, regardless of the use of a mini-incision. The lateral-pin technique remains the safest option for minimizing iatrogenic nerve injury. There is insufficient evidence to support the mini-incision as a safer alternative to traditional crossed-pin fixation.

Terminal nerve entry points' locations to muscles of the thigh for selective peripheral neurectomy in the adult population: a cadaveric study.

PURPOSE: Spasticity is the result of a variety of lesions to the central nervous system and one of the most common causes of disability worldwide. Selective peripheral neurectomy (SPN) is a surgical procedure that permanently decreases focal spasticity. The authors' objective is to provide recommendations, in terms of probabilities, for locating terminal motor entry points to muscles of the thigh, as alternatives for proximal incision sites to SPN. METHODS: The femoral, obturator, and sciatic nerves, and its corresponding motor rami, were systematically dissected on cadaveric specimens, and terminal motor entry points to each muscle of the thigh were located and carefully measured, relative to the length of the thigh. Measurement distributions were obtained and normal transformations were used when necessary. RESULTS: In 23 adult cadaveric specimens, 779 motor rami were dissected. Entry points' locations are presented as a percentage of the length of the thigh in means and standard deviations, which roughly corresponds to 64 and 95% probability of finding a motor entry point. CONCLUSION: Alternative incisions directly over the motor entry points, for the muscles of the thigh, may be helpful when considering SPN as treatment for focal spasticity. A prior degree of certainty of the location of the nerve to be severed may simplify surgical approach.

Distribution of fractured bones among children: Experience with the Comprehensive Pediatric AO classification in a children's orthopedic hospital in Bogotá-Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Fractures in children and adolescents are a public health issue. However, reliable epidemiological descriptions of the South American population must be improved. This study aims to present epidemiological data on fractures from a children's orthopedic hospital in one of the five largest cities in Latin America. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Descriptive epidemiological data from 2015 to 2019 were used to characterize children's fractures. Demographic variables, the number of fractured bones, high-energy trauma findings, fracture characteristics, fingertip injuries, and associated complications discriminated by the type of treatment are presented. Long bone fractures were classified according to the AO classification. All children less than 18 years of age were included. RESULTS: In a population of 3,616 children, 4,596 fractures were identified. More boys than girls sustain a fractured bone, with ratios as high as 6:1 around 15 years old. Distal forearm fractures were the most common (31.9%), followed by distal humerus (20.2%). Most of the complications were related to these two sites of fractures. The OR of complications between surgical and conservative management was 2.86. CONCLUSION: Epidemiological data of fractures from the authors' institution display the usual trending reported in most populations. Gender-related and age-related differences were relevant. Most fractures and complications are related to upper limb low-energy trauma. The most frequent are loss of ROM and loss of reduction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III - retrospective cohort study.

Casting Without Reduction Versus Closed Reduction With or Without Fixation in the Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures in Children: Protocol for a Randomized Noninferiority Trial.

BACKGROUND: Acute treatment for distal radius fractures, the most frequent fractures in the pediatric population, represents a challenge to the orthopedic surgeon. Deciding on surgical restoration of the alignment or cast immobilization without reducing the fracture is a complex concern given the remodeling potential of bones in children. In addition, the lack of evidence-based safe boundaries of shortening and angulation, that will not jeopardize upper-extremity functionality in the future, further complicates this decision. OBJECTIVE: The authors aim to measure functional outcomes, assessed using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pediatric Physical Function v2.0 instrument. The authors hypothesize that outcomes will not be worse in children treated with cast immobilization in situ compared with those treated with closed reduction with or without percutaneous fixation. The authors also aim to compare the following as secondary outcomes: ulnar variance and fracture alignment in the sagittal and coronal planes, range of motion, pressure ulcers, pain control, radius osteotomy due to deformity, pseudoarthrosis cure, and remanipulation. METHODS: This is the protocol of a randomized noninferiority trial comparing upper-extremity functionality in children aged 5 to 10 years, after sustaining a distal radius fracture, treated with either cast immobilization in situ or closed reduction with or without fixation in a single orthopedic hospital. Functional follow-up is projected at 6 months, while clinical and radiographic follow-up will occur at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 9 months. RESULTS: Recruitment commenced in July 2021. As of January 2022, 23 children have been randomized. Authors expect an average of 5 patients to be recruited monthly; therefore, recruitment and analysis should be complete by October 2024. CONCLUSIONS: This experimental design that addresses upper-extremity functionality after cast immobilization in situ in children who have sustained a distal fracture of the radius may yield compelling information that could aid the clinician in deciding on the most suitable orthopedic treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05008029; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05008029. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/34576.

Descripción del crecimiento del fémur proximal mediante tomografía en pacientes pediátricos sin enfermedad de cadera / Description of proximal femoral growth in pediatric patients without hip disorders using tomography

Objetivo: Describir el crecimiento femoral proximal en una población latinoamericana a través del desplazamiento femoral, el ángulo cervico-diafisario, la longitud del cuello femoral y el diámetro de la cabeza femoral evaluados con tomografía computarizada en pacientes pediátricos sin enfermedad de cadera. Materiales y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo que evaluó imágenes de tomografía computarizada de caderas de pacientes sanos <18 años. Se tomaron las siguientes medidas: desplazamiento femoral, longitud del cuello femoral, diámetro de la cabeza femoral y ángulo cervico-diafisario. Resultados:El desplazamiento femoral aumenta 1,96 mm hasta los 12.5 años, y desde los 12.5 hasta los 16 años, aumenta 1,2 mm. Se constató un aumento lineal del crecimiento de la longitud del cuello femoral. El ángulo cervico-diafisario disminuyó progresivamente hasta los 12 años. A partir de ese momento, la curva se aplanó. Se observó un aumento anual del diámetro de la cabeza femoral de 1,56 mm hasta los 13 años y de 0,62 mm anuales, en adelante. Conclusiones: Las medidas descritas en este estudio son esenciales para el seguimiento, el diagnóstico o el abordaje conductual en múltiples cuadros articulares de cadera durante el crecimiento. Se expone la necesidad de realizar estudios más amplios para establecer rangos de normalidad en la población local con las herramientas tecnológicas disponibles, que fundamenten una referencia para la restauración de la anatomía en la cirugía de preservación.Palabras clave: Cabeza femoral; cuello femoral; desarrollo humano. Nivel de Evidencia :IV

Introduction: This study aims to perform a descriptive analysis of proximal femoral growth in a Latin-American population through femoral offset, neck-shaft angle, femoral neck length, and femoral head diameter evaluated through computed tomography in pediatric patients without hip pathology. Materials and methods: Retrospective study evaluating CT images of the hips of healthy patients under 18 years. The following measurements were taken by a trained orthopedist: femoral offset, femoral neck length, femoral head diameter, and neck-shaft angle. Results:Femoral offset increases by 1.96 mm until age 12.5. From 12.5 to 16 years of age, it increases by 1.2 mm. A constant rise in the growth of the femoral neck length was found. The neck-shaft angle presented a progressive decrease until age 12. After that point, the curve flattened. An increase in femoral head diameter of 1.56 mm per year was observed until age 13 and then 0.62 mm per year. Conclusions: The measurements evaluated in this study are essential for the diagnosis, follow-up, and treatment approach in hip pathologies during growth. More extensive research is needed to define normal ranges that will serve as a baseline for anatomy restoration in hip joint preservation surgery. Level of Evidence: IV