RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Orthopedic surgery in children with cerebral palsy (CP) aims to improve function and prevent deformities. Each child's condition in CP is unique and many co-variables influence surgical decision-making including a patient's age and their functional level. Little is known about the frequency of different types of orthopedic surgery in children with CP who have varied functional levels, particularly in countries from Latin America. AIM: To assess the type of orthopedic surgical procedures in relation to age and gross motor function in children with CP. METHODS: This retrospective study included all children with CP (n = 245) treated with elective orthopedic surgery at a Uruguayan university hospital between October 2010 and May 2016 identified from a surgical database. Eighteen children (7%) were lost to follow-up due to missing medical charts. Demographics, gross motor function classification (GMFCS), and orthopedic surgeries were obtained from the medical records of 227 children. Chi-squared tests and analysis of variance were used to assess the frequency of surgery, accounting for GMFCS levels. Mean age for soft tissue vs bone surgery was compared with the independent samples t-test. RESULTS: A total of 711 surgical procedures were performed between 1998 and 2016. On average, children had 3.1 surgical procedures and the mean age at first surgery was 8.0 years. There were no significant differences in age at first surgery among GMFCS levels (P = 0.47). The most common procedures were lower leg soft tissue surgery (n = 189, 27%), hip tenotomy (n = 135, 19%), and hamstring tenotomy (n = 104, 14%). For children with GMFCS level I, the mean number of surgeries per child [1.8 (range 1-9)] differed significantly at P < 0.05 in children with GMFCS levels II [3.2 (1-12)], III [3.2 (1-8)], IV [3.3 (1-13)], and V [3.6 (1-11)]. Within II, III, IV, and V, there was no significant difference in mean number of surgeries per child when comparing across the groups. The proportion of soft tissue surgery vs bone surgery was higher in GMFCS levels I-III (80%-85%) compared to levels IV (68%) and V (55%) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The frequency of surgical procedures per child did not increase with higher GMFCS level after level I. However, the proportion of bone surgery was higher in GMFCS levels IV-V compared to I-III.
RESUMEN
Introducción: la luxación de cadera es una complicación severa en pacientes con parálisis cerebral (PC), sobre todo en pacientes incluidos en el sistema de clasificación de la función motora gruesa (GMFCS, por su sigla en inglés) III-V. Para su identificación son necesarias radiografías de pelvis. Objetivos: evaluar el seguimiento radiográfico en estos pacientes y la detección precoz de esta complicación en nuestro hospital. Material y método: se revisaron historias clínicas y radiografías de 17 pacientes GMFCS III-V, entre 2 y 8 años de edad al momento de la radiografía de pelvis índice, midiendo el porcentaje de migración (PM) de cadera de acuerdo al índice de Reimer, el ángulo cérvico-diafisiario y calculando el CPUP Score de cada cadera. Evaluamos el control radiográfico al año o posteriormente a esa fecha, y de no haber sido así, se citaría a los pacientes a control radiológico para detectar las caderas con riesgo migratorio elevado. Resultados: de los 17 pacientes evaluados, 3 (18%) tuvieron una nueva radiografía de pelvis al año; 6 (35%) pacientes la tuvieron posteriormente al año, y antes de la fecha de control designada, 7 (41%) pacientes nunca fueron controlados, citándose para nueva radiografía en 2018. Un paciente (6%) se perdió en el seguimiento. Un paciente presentó una cadera con riesgo alto (CPUP Score 50%-60%), el resto tuvo PM dentro de rangos normales. Conclusiones: pocos pacientes con PC GMFCS III-V tuvieron un seguimiento radiográfico anual. Los monitoreados posteriormente no mostraron progresión de esta condición. El resultado de este estudio y la literatura respaldan la introducción de un programa de vigilancia en nuestro hospital.
Introduction: hip luxation is a severe complication in patients with cerebral palsy (CP), especially in gross motor functional classification system (GMFCS) III-V patients. Pelvic x-rays are necessary to identify this condition. Objectives: to assess the x-ray follow-up in these patients and the early detection of this complication in our hospital. Method: the medical records and x-rays of 17 GMFCS III-V patients who were between 2 and 8 years old at the time of index pelvic x-ray were reviewed, measurement of the hip migration percentage according to Reimer´s index, the cervical-diaphyseal angle and calculation of the CPUP hip score for each hip. We assessed the follow-up x-ray a year later or later than that date, and in the even this had not happened, we would call the patients in for a control x-ray to identify the hips with an increase migration risk. Results: 3 (18%) out of 17 patients assessed underwent a new pelvic x-ray a year later. 6 patients (35%) underwent one later than one year after and prior to the control visit planned, 7 (41%) patients were never controlled and they were called for a new x-ray in 2018. One patient (6%) was lost during follow-up. One patient had an increased risk hip (CPUP Score 50-60%), the rest had normal migration percentages. Conclusions: few patients with PC GMFCS III-V underwent annual follow-up. Those monitored did not evidence progression of this condition. This study and the relevant literature back up the introduction of a surveillance program in our hospital.
Introdução: a luxação de quadril é uma complicação grave nos pacientes com paralisia cerebral (PC), principalmente nos pacientes "Gross motor funcional classificativo system (GMFCS) III-V". Para sua identificação é necessário realizar radiografias de pélvis. Objetivos: avaliar o seguimento radiográfico nesses pacientes e realizar a detecção precoce desta complicação no hospital. Material e método: foram estudados os prontuários e radiografias de 17 pacientes GMFCS III-V, com idades entre 2 e 8 anos no momento da radiografia de pélvis índice, medindo a porcentagem de migração (PM) de quadril de acordo com o índice de Reimer, o ângulo cervico-diafisiario e calculando o CPUP Score de cada quadril. Foi feito o controle radiográfico um ano ou mais depois da data da realização da radiografia; quando não foi possível os pacientes foram convocados para a realização de controle radiológico para detectar os quadris com risco migratório elevado. Resultados: dos 17 pacientes avaliados, 3 (18%) realizaram uma nova radiografia de pélvis um ano depois da primeira, 6 (35%) pacientes depois de um ano mas antes de ser convocados para controle, 7 (41%) pacientes nunca foram controlados, sendo convocados para uma nova radiografia em 2018. Um paciente (6%) foi perdido. Um paciente apresentou um quadril com risco alto (CPUP Score 50-60%), os demais tinham PM dentro de intervalos normais. Conclusões: poucos pacientes com PC GMFCS III-V tiveram um seguimento radiográfico anual. Os que foram monitorados posteriormente não mostraram progressão desta condição. O resultado deste estudo e a literatura respaldam a introdução de um programa de vigilância no nosso hospital.
