Operative management of supracondylar humeral fractures in children: Comparison of five fixation methods.

BACKGROUND: The best method for stabilising supracondylar humeral fractures (SHFs) in children remains unclear. The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of five different fixation methods for SHFs in children. HYPOTHESIS: Differences in intra-operative and short-term post-operative parameters can be demonstrated across different fixation methods for SHFs in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical files of paediatric patients managed at our centre between 2006 and 2016 for SHF with major displacement (type 3 or 4 in the Lagrange-Rigault classification). Clinical and radiological parameters collected post-operatively and at last follow-up included Baumann's angle, anteversion of the distal humeral epiphysis, and operative time. Over the 11-year study period, 251 patients were included; mean age was 6.4 years and mean follow-up 4.7 months. The five fixation methods used were elastic stable intra-medullary nailing (ESIN, n=16), two pins in an X configuration (n=33), two lateral pins and one medial pin (n=144), two lateral pins (n=33), and three lateral pins (n=25). A minimally invasive 2-cm approach was used to insert the medial pins. Immediate instability of the fixation was considered in patients with an at least 15° deficit in Baumann's angle or anteversion, or with rotational malalignment, on the radiographs taken on day 1. Outcomes were analysed in each of the five internal fixation groups. RESULTS: Immediate instability showed no significant differences across the five groups. Operative time was significantly shorter with two lateral pins (33min, P=0.046). Time to hardware removal was longer in the ESIN group (54 days, P=0.03). Use of a medial pin was associated with a lower risk of secondary displacement (2.0% vs. 8.6%, P=0.04) but did not affect the risk of nerve injury (4% vs. 3%, P=0.86). DISCUSSION: This is one of the largest retrospective cohort studies of outcomes according to the fixation technique used to treat SHFs in children. Adding a medial pin through a minimally invasive approach is associated with a longer operative time but limits the risk of secondary displacement without increasing the frequency of iatrogenic nerve injury and improves fracture site stability. Use of a medial pin therefore deserves to be considered in paediatric SHFs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective cohort study.

Planovalgus foot deformity in cerebral palsy corrected by botulinum toxin injection in the peroneus longus: Clinical and radiological evaluations in young children.

BACKGROUND: In children with cerebral palsy (CP), overactivity of the peroneus longus (PL) muscle is a major contributor to pes planovalgus. This retrospective study assessed whether abobotulinumtoxinA injections into a PL showing premature activity on electromyography (EMG) clinically improved foot morphology in children with CP. METHODS: Study participants were <6 years old, had a diagnosis of CP, good functional abilities (Gross Motor Function Classification System level 1 or 2), equinovalgus (initial contact with the hallux or head of the first metatarsal) and overactive PL on EMG. The fore-, mid- and hindfoot were evaluated clinically and radiologically before and after injection of abobotulinumtoxinA (6-7 U/kg) into the PL. Radiological data were compared with reference values for children without pes planovalgus. RESULTS: In total, 16 children (8 males; 10 hemiplegia, 6 diplegia; mean age: 3.2±1.5 years) received treatment. Mean pre-and post-treatment angles in clinical assessment of dorsiflexion of the talocrural articulation did not differ with both knees flexed (24.4±7.5 vs. 22.2±8.0 degrees; P=0.19) or extended (17.2±8.0 vs. 16.6±6.8 degrees; P=0.36). Radiographic data pre-treatment versus reference data revealed forefoot pronation (metatarsal stacking angle 2.1±8.3 vs. 8.0±2.9 degrees; P=0.002), midfoot planus (lateral talo-first metatarsal 28.5±15.0 vs. 13.0±7.5 degrees; P<0.001; talocalcaneal angle 54.6±8.6 vs. 49.0±6.9 degrees; P=0.004) and significantly decreased calcaneus dorsiflexion, without hindfoot equinus (calcaneal pitch angle 7.9±6.0 vs. 17.0±6.0 degrees; P<0.001). After treatment, the metatarsal stacking angle did not differ from reference values (P=0.15). As compared with before treatment, treatment improved mean angles for metatarsal stacking (2.1±8.3 vs. 7.1±3.9 degrees, respectively, P=0.002), lateral talo-first metatarsal and talocalcaneal (both P<0.001), with no change in the hindfoot. CONCLUSION: PL may be an early target for abobotulinumtoxinA treatment in pes planovalgus associated with premature PL activity in children with CP.

Proximal migration of fibular malleolus during tibial lengthening despite syndesmotic screw fixation: a series of 22 cases.

INTRODUCTION: During tibial lengthening procedures, it is recommended to prevent fibular malleolus proximal migration using a distal tibiofibular syndesmotic screw, which is removed at 6 months. We have observed proximal migrations of the fibular malleolus despite placement of this syndesmotic screw. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to demonstrate this migration and to study the influence of two factors that may favor its occurrence: positioning of the syndesmotic screw and union of the fibula at the time of removal. HYPOTHESIS: An unhealed fibula at the time the distal tibiofibular syndesmotic screw is removed and its tricortical position promote the proximal migration of the fibular malleolus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, single-center, analytical study that included 22 lengthening procedures in 18 patients from 5 to 17 years of age who had undergone tibial lengthening and presented a preoperative continuous fibula. The position of the fibular malleolus, union of the fibula, and the tri- or quadricortical position of the screw were assessed based on four successive x-rays. RESULTS: Tricortical positioning of the syndesmotic screw was significantly associated with proximal migration of the fibular malleolus during lengthening (P=0.0248<0.05). However, there was no significant relation between an unhealed fibula and proximal migration of the fibular malleolus when the screw was removed (P=0.164>0.05). DISCUSSION: Proximal migration of the fibular malleolus during lengthening is promoted by placing a non-quadricortical syndesmotic screw. Quadricortical positioning of the screw should be recommended. Migration of the fibular malleolus after ablation of the syndesmotic screw seems to be related to absence of fibular union but this series was too small to demonstrate this clearly. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV: Retrospective study.

Dynamic EMG of peroneus longus in hemiplegic children with equinovarus.

OBJECTIVE: In hemiplegic children the appearance of equinovarus is correlated with premature electromyography (EMG) activity of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) prior to initial contact. The goal was to analyze the onset of EMG activation in the GM and, more particularly, the peroneus longus (PL) in cases of equinovarus: is PL activity likewise premature? MATERIAL AND METHODS: As 15 hemiplegic children (age 5 years±1.5) with equinovarus walked, their PL and GM EMG activity was being recorded. The latter was normalized in terms of gait cycle percentage (0-100%) and detected through semi-automatic selection with activation threshold set at 20µV. A paired t-test compared activation onset of the PL versus the GM muscles. RESULTS: As regards the healthy limb, activity onset of the GM (+14.55%) and the PL (+19.2%) muscles occurred only during the ST. In cases of equinovarus, activation of the GM (-5.2%) and the PL (-6.1%) occurred during the SW and was premature. For each muscle, comparison between the healthy and the hemiplegic side was highly significant (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Premature PL and GM EMG activity preceding initial contact corresponds not to a disorder secondary to imbalance but rather, more probably, to motor command dysfunction. While the PL consequently contributes to equinus deformity, its possible role in varus genesis is less evident. EMG study needs to be completed by comparing PL and tibialis posterior strength while taking foot bone morphology into full account.

Outcome evaluation in pediatric orthopedics.

Outcome evaluation is an objective procedure to determine the impact and success of a therapeutic program, focusing on the patient's well being in daily life. It is important not to confuse the different concepts found in the health status classification and quality of life evaluation. Both are suitable for outcome evaluation and may be used according to the principles of evidence-based medicine. Outcome evaluation of a therapeutic program may be compared to a search in the literature and the level of evidence. The goal is to achieve direct benefits for the patient and society. Strategies to improve daily practice may be developed. Scientific societies can create database for outcome evaluation and develop standardized protocols for longitudinal outcome follow-up, as well as proposing this type of study to health authorities. Based on these results, a global view of the patient can be taken into consideration to influence medical, socioeconomic and health management patient care.

Sagittal spine posture assessment: feasibility of a protocol based on intersegmental moments.

Evaluation of spinal posture has recently benefited from the contribution of three-dimensional reconstruction technologies that have helped improve our understanding of this dynamic balance. The aim of this study was to present the preliminary results of a three-dimensional protocol to analyze postural balance. This analytical method is not limited by certain constraints of the radiological approach and evaluates postural balance using a new approach taking into account the net efforts of different intersegmental centers. These preliminary results show the technical feasibility of the protocol. Its future development and clinical use could provide a better understanding of postural balance disorders, and help evaluate the impact of surgical correction on spinal balance.

Influence of clinical and gait analysis experience on reliability of observational gait analysis (Edinburgh Gait Score Reliability).

OBJECTIVES: Treatment complexity of cerebral palsy (CP) patients imposes outcome evaluation studies, which may include objective technical analysis and more subjective functional evaluation. The Edinburgh Gait Score (EGS) was proposed as an additive or alternative when complex instrumented three-dimensional gait analysis is not available. Our purposes were to apply a translated EGS to standard video recordings of independent walking spastic diplegic CP patients, to evaluate its intraobserver and interobserver reliability with respect to gait analysis familiar and not familiar observers. METHODS: Ten standard video recordings acquired during routine clinical gait analysis were examined by eight observers gait analysis interpretation experienced or not, out of various specialities, two times with a two weeks interval. Kappa statistics and intraclass correlation coefficient were calculated. RESULTS: Better reliability was observed for foot and knee scores than in proximal segments with significant differences between stance and swing phase. Significantly better results in gait analysis trained observers underlines the importance to either be used to clinical gait analysis interpretation, or to benefit of video analysis training before observational scoring. CONCLUSION: Visual evaluation may be used for outcome studies to explore clinical changes in CP patients over time and may be associated to other validated evaluation tools.

Fatal lung metastasis secondary to index finger giant cell tumor in an 8-year-old child.

We report the case of a 7-year-old girl presenting with giant cell tumor (GCT) of the index finger, complicated by lung metastases. Index disarticulation, pulmonary metastasectomy and chemotherapy failed to produce a cure, and the child died at the age of 8 years after 1 year's evolution. The pulmonary metastases were discovered following hypoxia during initial biopsy. A review of the literature shows this observation to be original, in terms of the patient's age and of the location, onset and fatal outcome of metastasis. The hypoxic episode complicating biopsy raises the issue of early screening for lung metastases in GCT. Pulmonary dissemination of GCT is of severe prognosis.

[Hip subluxation and coxa valga secondary to an osteoïd osteoma]. / Subluxation de la hanche et coxa valga secondaires à un ostéome ostéoïde.

SUMMARY: We report on the case of a 2-year-old child with extra-articular osteoïd osteoma of the proximal femur leading to subluxation and coxa valga deformity of the hip joint at 10 year follow-up. The osteoïd osteoma reccured twice after surgical excision and percutaneous drilling. Patient's clinical history also reported a prolonged use of medications as treatment for these two recurrences. Second recurrence was combined with migration of the femoral head and retraction of the adductors: surgical treatment consisted in varus osteotomy to facilitate excision of the lesion, combined with a tenotomy of the hip adductors. Functional outcomes were satisfactory after 4-year follow-up. Reviews of the literature report two cases of hip subluxation secondary to intra-articular osteoïd osteoma. From our experience, it seems that hip subluxation in the present case could have been avoided with early surgical management.

[Melorheostosis and anterior cruciate ligament tear in a 15-year-old female]. / Mélorhéostose et entorse du ligament croisé antérieur chez une jeune fille de 15 ans.

We report the case of a 15-year-old girl who suffered an indirect knee trauma. The standard X-rays revealed a tract of ivory-like bone partially obstructing the medullary canal of the femur and the tibia. Magnetic resonance imaging produced a hypointense signal on the T1 and T2 sequences. The radiographic diagnosis was melorheostosis which was confirmed on the biopsy specimen which ruled out other diagnoses. The MRI also revealed a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament, treated conservatively. Clinical and radiological surveillance were proposed for the melorheostosis.

[Informative value of the popliteal angle in walking cerebral palsy children]. / Peut-on se fier à l'angle poplité chez l'enfant paralysé cérébral marchant?

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: In clinical practice, it is generally accepted that hamstring tightness results in incomplete knee extension when the hip is in flexion and in smaller conventional and modified popliteal angles. Similarly, a difference between the conventional popliteal angle and the modified popliteal angle (popliteal differential) would be associated with a permanent deficit in knee extension. The purpose of this study was to determine whether these two hypothesis correlate with clinical findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The series was composed of 35 walking cerebral palsy children, 16 girls and 19 boys, mean age 11+/-3.6 years with a pathological conventional popliteal angle. These children walked using the jump knee (n=24) or the crouch knee (n=11) pattern. Permanent hip flexion and the conventional and modified popliteal angles were noted. SPSS version 10.1.3 for Window was used to search for a correlation between the popliteal differential and the presence of permanent hip flexion using several values for the popliteal differential (5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 degrees ). Data were adjusted for age and gender. RESULTS: The statistical analyses demonstrated a significant relationship between the presence of permanent hip flexion and a popliteal differential strictly less than 10 degrees and between the absence of permanent hip flexion and a popliteal angle greater or equal to 10 degrees . These statistically significant results, which demonstrated the opposite of what was expected, were independent of age and gender. DISCUSSION: Our findings demonstrate that examination of the knee joint is indispensable but insufficient. The conventional popliteal angle is not a reliable indicator of hamstring tightness. The normal value of the modified popliteal angle has not been established so that it is impossible to determine what a pathological angle is. We do not know whether measurement of this angle is sufficient to establish indications for surgery. In the future, the development of muscle models coupled with gait analysis should enable more reliable prediction of outcome after surgery. At the present time, we recommend repeated physical examination using a standardized protocol, taking into consideration, several parameters including spasticity, selectivity and muscle force and to perform quantified gait analysis before scheduling hamstring lengthening surgery for walking cerebral palsy children.

[Complications of prophylactic pinning for unilateral upper femur epiphysis slipping: retrospective analysis of 62 operated cases]. / Complications du vissage controlatéral préventif en cas d'épiphysiolyse fémorale supérieure unilatérale : à propos d'une série rétrospective de 62 cas opérés.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The appropriate treatment for unilateral slipping of the upper epiphysis of the femur is controversial. Prophylactic surgical treatment raises the risk of bilateralization. The procedure is often unnecessary as the natural history of epiphyseal slipping is often favorable when the displacement is minimal. We analyzed the complications of systematic prophylactic treatment in order to determine the optimal attitude. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective series of 62 children who underwent surgery for unilateral slipping of the superior femoral epiphysis between 1996 and 2005. Prophylactic treatment of the healthy hip was instituted systematically. The complications were noted according to Paley. We searched for factors of risk of complications, studying the bone maturity indexes, the characteristic features of the healthy femur epiphysis and the surgical technique used. RESULTS: There were seven complications, six following prophylactic treatment and one after material removal. The rate of complications reached 11.3%. Five of the complications were minor: two local infections with favorable outcome and three patients who complained of pain in the hip at mobilization, which had totally resolved at one year. One moderate complication was noted: spiral fracture of the upper femur starting from the screw head and treated with plate fixation. The outcome was favorable. There was one severe complication: osteoarthritis of the hip joint with septicemia on day 3. The outcome was unfavorable with necrosis of the femoral head, resection and use of a spacer. A total hip arthroplasty was performed at one year. DISCUSSION: Complications were globally more frequent and more severe compared to series using prophylactic screwing. The major infection complication (osteoarthritis) observed in this series has not been reported elsewhere. There was probably a center effect since we recruited all of the most complex cases in our region. We were unable to identify any factor predictive of complications. There is apparently no clear choice between systematic prophylactic treatment and careful surveillance. Prophylactic treatment in selected patients might be the key to a successful preventive approach.

[Radiography of scoliosis: comparative dosimetry between conventional technique and digital fluorography]. / Radiographie des scolioses: dosimétrie comparée entre la technique conventionnelle et la fluorographie numérique.

OBJECTIVE: Compare the irradiation delivered in conventional radiography and digital radiography by image intensifier during a scoliosis workup. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our prospective randomized study included 105 patients, all of whom were identified according to sociodemographic parameters as well as criteria evaluating the quality of the full front spinal x-ray at PA incidence. The entry dose at the scapula and the exit dose in interorbital, thyroid, mammary, and hypogastric projection was measured by thermoluminescent dosimeters. RESULTS: The results of 71 girls and 28 boys, aged a mean 13.8 years with a mean weight of 47 kg were analyzed. At equal image quality, the entry dose was not significantly different between the two techniques; the mean exit dose reduction was 64% during digital acquisition. This reduction involved the interorbital (162%), mammary (43%), and thyroid (309%) regions. However, this system is more irradiating in the hypogastric region (34%). CONCLUSION: The dosimetric evaluation of the different imaging techniques used to explore the entirety of the spine should be part of radiologists' quality standard used to document their work and their choices.

[Testing range of motion in cerebral palsy]. / Bilan articulaire des membres inférieurs d'un enfant atteint d'une infirmité motrice cérébrale.

OBJECTIVES: To propose a standardized test of joint range of motion in paediatric patients with cerebral palsy, based on the opinion of a cerebral palsy specialist group (physicians, physiotherapists and surgeons) and literature review. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A Delphi process was adapted to elaborate a complete test of lower-limb-joint range of motion. During the preparation phase, a pilot committee selected a list of items compiled from literature search and personal experience. A first questionnaire was proposed to 16 experts, then six discussion meetings followed. From the results, the pilot committee prepared a second questionnaire for the experts and finalized the complete test of joint range of motion. RESULTS: The complete test includes 24 items related to goniometric measurements in supine and prone positions. Principal conditions necessary for an accurate exam are included. Further, a testing guide with visuals of the proposed exam techniques was developed. CONCLUSIONS: The standardized testing of lower-limb-joint range of motion will allow for better communication between clinicians and will facilitate the development of a database. Care should be taken in the interpretation of the joint range-of-motion test results and realized only after reliability analysis of the test, especially interobserver reliability. A further step would be to develop an outpatient booklet for cerebral palsy that shows growth and weight curves, joint range-of-motion curves and curves of the principal radiographic measurements during growth.

[Shoulder arthrodesis with vascularized fibular graft after tumor resection of the proximal humerus]. / Arthrodèse d'épaule avec fibula vascularisée après résection tumorale de l'extrémité supérieure de l'humérus.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Resection of malignant tumors of the proximal humerus often requires dissection of the rotator cuffs and the deltoid muscle. There is no consensus on the ideal method for shoulder reconstruction. We report the functional outcome in a homogeneous series of eight patients treated by arthrodesis using a vascularized free fibular flap. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eight patients were included in this study. All had an aggressive tumor of the upper humerus. Tumor resection was associated with a rotator cuff and deltoid muscle resection in all patients. All patients then underwent shoulder arthrodesis using a free vascularized fibular flap fixed with a plate. Clinical and radiological evaluation was available for six patients at mean 28 months. The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society function score was used to assess overall function of the upper limb. The cosmetic outcome and radiographic bone healing as well as hypertrophy of the fibular graft were noted. RESULTS: Active abduction and active flexion were 82 degrees on average. All patients could bring their hand to the mouth. Circumduction was possible but limited in amplitude. The mean function score was 26.5/30 with an excellent functional outcome in all patients. The cosmetic outcome was considered poor by all patients. Radiographically, bone healing was achieved at last follow-up in all patients but there was one case of failed fusion between the fibular graft and the scapula which required secondary iliac grafting. Mean fibular graft hypertrophy was 32.8% at last follow-up. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Two reconstruction methods have been described for patients who require tumor resection of the upper humerus: reconstruction with preservation of glenohumeral joint function and shoulder arthrodesis. Many techniques have been described for each method. It is however difficult to compare the different series reported in the literature because rotator cuff and deltoid muscle resection was not systematically performed and reconstruction methods varied between patients. An analysis of the literature shows that preservation of motion of the scapular glenoid joint can give good functional results when the rotator cuff and deltoid muscle can be preserved. If they cannot, results favor shoulder arthrodesis which provides the patient with very satisfactory upper limb function. Use of a vascularized fibular flap has provided very good arthrodesis results. The patient must however be informed of the probable poor final cosmetic result.

[Radiological index as a predictive factor of kyphosis in spina bifida]. / Critère radiologique prédictif de la cyphose dans la spina bifida.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The aim of this work was to validate the pertinence of a radiological index (P/A) used as a predictive factor for risk of kyphosis in children with spina bifida. P/A is defined as the ratio between P, the distance between the posterior vertebral wall and the remnant of the posterior arch, over A, the distance between the anterior wall and the posterior vertebral wall, measured on the lateral view of the spine in the most dysplastic vertebra before one year of age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The files of 163 children were reviewed. The value of the P/A ratio was measured on lateral views of the spine obtained before the age of one year. The bone level on the anteroposterior film was also noted. The presence or absence of kyphosis was determined from the lateral views obtained at ten years of age. Paired variable analysis was used to compare the mean differences in P/A at one year and at ten years in 31 patients with a bone level of L1 or higher. The exact Fisher test was used to determine the difference in the kyphosis distributions in patients with a bone level of L1 or higher between those with P/A < or = 1/2 and the others. In addition, the specificity, sensitivity, and positive predictive value of a positive test (bone level L1 or higher and P/A < or = 1/2) for development of kyphosis were calculated. Results There was no statistically significant difference in the P/A mean value before the age of one year and after ten years. The distribution of patients with kyphosis was different between patients with a bone level of L1 or higher and P/A < /2 and the other patients (p < 0.01). Considering having a bone level of L1 or higher and a P/A < or = 1/2 as a prognostic test, the specificity was 100%, the sensitivity 87.56%, and the positive predictive value 100%. Many patients with spina bifida will develop kyphosis in the course of life. This spinal deformation raises many specific problems for patient management. Use of a radiological index as presented here allows early detection of patients at risk and can also predict which patients will remain free of deformation. This allows a selection of patients who can benefit most from more regular surveillance of the spinal static and avoid unnecessary radiographic examinations in others.