The Price for Delayed Diagnosis of Pediatric Septic Hip: Increased Cost and Poor Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Most authors agree that early diagnosis and treatment of pediatric septic hip, within 4 days of onset of symptoms, is crucially important for good outcomes. In healthcare, value is a function of outcome over cost. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical outcome and cost, therefore value, associated with early versus delayed treatment of pediatric septic arthritis of the hip. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed at a single pediatric hospital. Hospital records over 6 years (2011 to 2016) were examined to identify patients who had undergone treatment for primary septic arthritis of the hip. Patient demographics, clinical data at presentation, treatment information, and follow-up data were recorded. Hospital charges at account level were calculated and compared between groups. RESULTS: Forty-three subjects were identified for analysis. Twelve presented more than 4 days after the onset of symptoms (delayed diagnosis). There was no difference in patient demographics, Kocher criteria, or initial imaging performed between those with early versus delayed diagnosis. The delayed group had significantly longer length of hospital stay (17 vs. 9 d, P=0.003), follow-up needed (56 vs. 19 wk P=0.001), long-term complications (50% vs. 3%, P=0.000), duration of antibiotics (8 vs. 5.5 wk, P=0.043), greater number of I&Ds (2 vs. 1, P=0.04), more tissue cultures and blood draws (6 vs. 2, P=0.002; and 3 vs. 2 P=0.009, respectively) and more radiographs taken as outpatients (4 vs. 2, P=0.001, respectively). The average total hospital charge (inpatient and outpatient) was $102,774 in the early diagnosis group and $243,411 in the delayed group (P=0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Delayed diagnosis of pediatric septic hip correlated with longer length of hospital stay, duration of follow-up, and more long-term complications. These factors contributed to higher total hospital costs and therefore decreased healthcare value.

Hip surgery and radiology reporting for children with cerebral palsy prior to initiation of a hip surveillance program.

PURPOSE: Hip displacement impacts quality of life for many children with cerebral palsy (CP). While early detection can help avoid dislocation and late-stage surgery, formalized surveillance programs are not ubiquitous. This study aimed to examine: 1) surgical practices around pediatric hip displacement for children with CP in a region without formalized hip surveillance; and 2) utility of MP compared to traditional radiology reporting for quantifying displacement. METHODS: A retrospective chart review examined hip displacement surgeries performed on children with CP between 2007-2016. Surgeries were classified as preventative, reconstructive, or salvage. Pre- and post-operative migration percentage (MP) was calculated for available radiographs using a mobile application and compared using Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test. MPs were also compared with descriptions in the corresponding radiology reports using directed and conventional content analyses. RESULTS: Data from 67 children (115 surgical hips) were included. Primary surgery types included preventative (63.5% hips), reconstructive (36.5%), or salvage (0%). For the 92 hips with both radiology reports and radiographs available, reports contained a range of descriptors that inconsistently reflected the retrospectively-calculated MPs. CONCLUSION: Current radiology reporting practices do not appear to effectively describe hip displacement for children with CP. Therefore, standardized reporting of MP is recommended.

The Biplanar Effect of the Medial Cuneiform Osteotomy.

Background. The "foot-CORA" (center of rotation of angulation) method confirms the medial cuneiform as the site of deformity in most forefoot/midfoot deformities and is therefore the ideal location to correct those deformities. It has been consistently observed intraoperatively by the senior author that there is a secondary, unintentional deformity created in the transverse plane when dorsiflexion and plantar flexion osteotomies of the medial cuneiform are performed to correct pronation and supination forefoot deformities, respectively. These effects may not be desirable. This biplanar effect of medial cuneiform osteotomies has been observed but not studied. The purpose of this study was to perform the 4 commonly used medial cuneiform osteotomy techniques on cadaveric feet to demonstrate their biplanar effects. Methods. Four formaldehyde preserved cadaveric feet were used to perform 4 techniques of medial cuneiform osteotomy: dorsiflexion plantar-based opening wedge, plantar flexion dorsal-based opening wedge, dorsiflexion dorsal-based closing wedge, and plantar flexion plantar-based closing wedge. Photographs and fluoroscopy were used to assess the angular changes in the sagittal and transverse planes. Angular measurements were made using OsiriX software on fluoroscopic images. Results. The medial cuneiform opening wedge osteotomies produced midfoot abduction in addition to the desired dorsiflexion and plantar flexion. The medial cuneiform closing wedge osteotomies produced midfoot adduction in addition to the desired dorsiflexion and plantar flexion. Conclusion. We confirm that intentional sagittal uniplanar osteotomies of the medial cuneiform create obligate biplanar effects. This is likely a result of tethering by ligaments and the joint capsules on the lateral border of the medial cuneiform. The obligate transverse plane effect can be used to one's advantage or result in an undesired effect if not considered during surgical planning and execution. We propose a simple treatment algorithm for selecting the appropriate medial cuneiform osteotomy for forefoot/midfoot deformities. Levels of Evidence: Level V.