Consensus guidelines on the management of musculoskeletal infection affecting children in the UK.

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the consensus best practice approach for the investigation and management of children (aged 0 to 15 years) in the UK with musculoskeletal infection (including septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, pyomyositis, tenosynovitis, fasciitis, and discitis). This consensus can then be used to ensure consistent, safe care for children in UK hospitals and those elsewhere with similar healthcare systems. Methods: A Delphi approach was used to determine consensus in three core aspects of care: 1) assessment, investigation, and diagnosis; 2) treatment; and 3) service, pathways, and networks. A steering group of paediatric orthopaedic surgeons created statements which were then evaluated through a two-round Delphi survey sent to all members of the British Society for Children's Orthopaedic Surgery (BSCOS). Statements were only included ('consensus in') in the final agreed consensus if at least 75% of respondents scored the statement as critical for inclusion. Statements were discarded ('consensus out') if at least 75% of respondents scored them as not important for inclusion. Reporting these results followed the Appraisal Guidelines for Research and Evaluation. Results: A total of 133 children's orthopaedic surgeons completed the first survey, and 109 the second. Out of 43 proposed statements included in the initial Delphi, 32 reached 'consensus in', 0 'consensus out', and 11 'no consensus'. These 11 statements were then reworded, amalgamated, or deleted before the second Delphi round of eight statements. All eight were accepted as 'consensus in', resulting in a total of 40 approved statements. Conclusion: In the many aspects of medicine where relevant evidence is not available for clinicians to base their practice, a Delphi consensus can provide a strong body of opinion that acts as a benchmark for good quality clinical care. We would recommend clinicians managing children with musculoskeletal infection follow the guidance in the consensus statements in this article, to ensure care in all medical settings is consistent and safe.

A prediction model for treatment decisions in distal radial physeal injuries: A multicenter retrospective study.

Background: There are no clearly defined guidelines for the management of distal radial physeal injuries. We aimed to identify the risk factors for patients with distal radial physeal trauma for the risk of deformity, physeal closure, and revision procedure and develop a predictive model. Methods: The retrospective study included patients less than 16 years old with displaced distal radial physeal injuries treated between 2011 and 2018 across five centers in the United Kingdom. Deformity was defined as a volar angulation of >11°, dorsal angulation of >15°, a radial inclination of <15° or >23°, or positive ulnar variance. Presence of a bony bar spanning the physis was considered physeal closure. Results: This study comprised of 479 patients. In that, 32 (6.6%) patients had a second procedure. Also, 49 (10.2%) patients had closure of physis, and 28 (6%) patients had deformity at the end of follow-up. The occurrence of deformity had a strong correlation with age (p = 0.04) and immobilization duration (p = 0.003). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that age >12.5 years (p = 0.006) and sagittal angulation of >21.7° (p = 0.002) had a higher odd of deformity. Immobilization for <4.5 weeks (p = 0.01) had a higher revision rate. The nomograms showed good calibration, with a sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 75%. Interpretation: The nomograms provide accurate, pragmatic multivariate predictive models. Anatomical reduction is recommended in patients >12.5 years of age with >22° of dorsal angulation with cast immobilization for no less than 4.5 weeks. Any revision procedure should be performed within 11 days from the date of injury to reduce the risk of physeal damage.

Hexapod Circular Frame Fixation for Tibial Non-union: A Systematic Review of Clinical and Radiological Outcomes.

Introduction: Tibial non-unions present with complex deformities, bone loss, infection, leg length discrepancy (LLD), and other features which influence function. Circular frame-based treatment is popular with the hexapod system used increasingly. This systematic review aims to determine the clinical and radiological outcomes of hexapod fixation when used for tibial non-unions. Materials and methods: The review was performed in accordance with preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search strategy was applied to MEDLINE and Embase databases on 15 December 2021. Studies reporting either clinical or radiological outcomes following hexapod fixation on tibial non-unions were included. Primary outcomes were radiological union and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Secondary outcomes included LLD, tibial alignment deformity (TAD), return to pre-injury activity and post-operative complications. Results: After the abstract and full-text screening, 9 studies were included; there were 283 hexapod frame fixations for tibial non-unions. Infection (46.6%) and stiff hypertrophic non-union (39.2%) accounted for most non-unions treated. The average age and mean follow-up were 42.2 years and 33.1 months, respectively. The average time to union was 8.7 months with a union rate of 84.8%. A total of 90.3% of patients had TAD below 5° in all planes, with an LLD ≤1.5 cm of the contralateral leg in 90.5%. Bony and functional results were at least good in over 90% of patients when using the Association for the Study of the Method of Ilizarov (ASAMI) criteria. A total of 84% of patients returned to pre-injury activities. There were complications as follows: a total of 34% developed pin-site infection, almost 9% experienced half-pin breakage and 14% developed an equinus ankle contracture. Conclusion: Hexapod frames for the treatment of tibial non-unions produce favourable functional outcomes. Complication rates are present and need to be discussed when this modality of treatment is proposed. Further comparative studies will allow for this option to be evaluated against that of the traditional Ilizarov frame and other methods of non-union surgery. How to cite this article: Boksh K, Kanthasamy S, Divall P, et al. Hexapod Circular Frame Fixation for Tibial Non-union: A Systematic Review of Clinical and Radiological Outcomes. Strategies Trauma Limb Reconstr 2022;17(3):172-183.

A systematic review of displaced paediatric distal radius fracture management: Plaster cast versus Kirschner wiring.

Displaced distal radius fractures involving the metaphysis are common childhood injuries requiring intervention. Patients frequently undergo operative treatment for these injuries. The aim of our study was to systematically review the literature comparing manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA) and Kirschner wire fixation(K wire). PRISMA guidelines were followed throughout. Medline and Cochrane databases were searched for comparative randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies. Quality assessment was undertaken using the Jadad score, Cochrane assessment of bias tool and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Data extraction was performed with customised forms. 2 RCTs and 4 cohort studies were included. There was significant variation in their methodologies, which included their inclusion criteria and threshold for remanipiulation. Re-operation rates for MUA varied from 14% to 91%. There were no recorded re-operations following K-wiring. There was a 2.2% infection rate and 4.5% rate of wire migration. There were no adverse long-term sequelae reported. All studies showed a higher re-operation rate with MUA alone. Further studies are required to identify which fracture subtypes are most susceptible to re-displacement. Current evidence suggests the use of a k-wire to stabIlise these fractures following manipulation.

Reslip of a previously fixed slipped upper femoral epiphysis with an associated vitamin d deficiency.

Slipped upper femoral epiphysis (SUFE) is a relatively common adolescent hip disorder that represents a biomechanical instability of the proximal femoral growth plate. A link between vitamin D deficiency and SUFE has emerged in recent years; however, we present a unique case of a 10-year-old girl who presented with a reslip of a previously fixed SUFE with an associated vitamin D deficiency.

WITHDRAWN: Interventions for treating wrist fractures in children.

BACKGROUND: Approximately a third of all fractures in children occur at the wrist, usually from falling onto an outstretched hand. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate removable splintage versus plaster casts (requiring removal by a specialist) for undisplaced compression (buckle) fractures; cast length and position; and the role of surgical fixation for displaced wrist fractures in children. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group Specialised Register (October 2007), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library 2007, Issue 4), MEDLINE (from 1966), EMBASE (from 1988), CINAHL (from 1982) and reference lists of articles. Date of last search October 2007. SELECTION CRITERIA: Any randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials comparing types and position of casts and the use of surgical fixation for distal radius fractures in children. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors performed trial selection. All three authors independently assessed methodological quality and extracted data. MAIN RESULTS: The 10 included trials, involving 827 children, were of variable quality.Four trials compared removable splintage versus the traditional below-elbow cast in children with buckle fractures. There was no short-term deformity recorded in all four trials and, in one trial, no refracture at six months. The Futura splint was cheaper to use; a removable plaster splint was less restrictive to wear enabling more children to bathe and participate in other activities, and the option preferred by children and parents; the soft bandage was more comfortable, convenient and less painful to wear; home-removable plaster casts removed by parents did not result in significant differences in outcome but were strongly favoured by parents.Two trials found below-elbow versus above-elbow casts did not increase redisplacement of reduced fractures or cast-related complications, were less restrictive during use and avoided elbow stiffness.One trial evaluating the effect of arm position in above-elbow casts found no effect on deformity.Three trials found that percutaneous wiring significantly reduced redisplacement and remanipulation but one of these found no advantage in function at three months. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Limited evidence supports the use of removable splintage for buckle fractures and challenges the traditional use of above-elbow casts after reduction of displaced fractures. Although percutaneous wire fixation prevents redisplacement, the effects on longer term outcomes including function are not established.Further research is warranted on the optimum approach, including splintage, for buckle fractures; and on the use of below-elbow casts and indications for surgery for displaced wrist fractures in children.

Surgical interventions for diaphyseal fractures of the radius and ulna in children.

BACKGROUND: Diaphyseal forearm fractures in children are a common injury usually resulting from a fall. The treatment options include non-surgical intervention (manipulation and application of cast) and surgical options such as internal fixation with intramedullary nails or with plate and screws. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects (benefits and harms) of a) surgical versus non-surgical interventions, and b) different surgical interventions for the fixation of diaphyseal fractures of the forearm bones in children. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group Specialised Register (March 2011), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library, 2011 Issue 1), MEDLINE (1948 to February week 4 2011), EMBASE (1980 to 2011 week 09), trial registers and reference lists of articles. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials that compared surgical with non-surgical intervention, or different types of surgical intervention for the fixation of diaphyseal forearm fractures in children. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: All review authors independently examined the search results to identify trials for inclusion. MAIN RESULTS: After screening of 163 citations, we identified 15 potentially eligible studies of which 14 were excluded and one is an ongoing trial. There were thus no studies suitable for inclusion in this review. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is a lack of evidence from randomised controlled trials to inform on when surgery is required and what type of surgery is best for treating children with fractures of the shafts of the radius, ulna or both bones.

Telesurveillance of circular frame pin sites: one year's experience at a specialist unit.

Circular frame treatment for limb reconstruction involves repeated follow-up visits, and a substantial number of these appointments are for pin site review only. We have encouraged our frame patients to take photographs of their pin sites when they carry out their weekly dressing changes. The photographs are taken with mobile phones or digital cameras by the patients themselves, and the images sent to us by email. We reply within 24 hours, with either reassurance or appropriate instructions as indicated. In the past 12 months, five patients have had their pin sites reviewed remotely using this method, and have expressed a high level of satisfaction. These early results are encouraging.

Interventions for treating wrist fractures in children

Article from The Cochrane Library in which the use of removable splintage and plaster casts are compared and evaluated.