The outcome of paediatric LCP hip plate use in children with and without neuromuscular disease.

BACKGROUND: The relatively new paediatric LCP hip plate (Synthes GmBH Eimattstrasse 3 CH-4436 Oberdorff) is used in children, both with and without neuromuscular disease, for fixation of proximal femoral osteotomy for a variety of indications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the notes and radiographs of all those children who have had paediatric LCP device for the fixation of proximal femoral osteotomy and proximal femur fractures in our institution (Royal Manchester Children's Hospital), between October 2007 and July 2010, for their clinical progress, mobilization status, radiological healing and any complications. RESULTS: Forty-three paediatric LCP hip plates were used in 40 patients (27 males and 13 females) for the fixation of 40 proximal femoral osteotomies and three proximal femur fractures. This included 13 children with underlying neuromuscular pathology and 27 children without neuromuscular disease. All osteotomies and fractures radiologically healed within 6 months [majority (n = 40) within 3 months]. There was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.45) in the neck shaft angle between the immediately post-operative and final X-rays after completion of bone healing. There were no implant-related complications both in patients with and without neuromuscular disease. No metalwork loosening was observed and no plate revisions were required. Three post-operative fractures occurred in patients with neuromuscular pathology treated with post-operative plaster immobilisation. CONCLUSION: The paediatric LCP hip plate provides a stable and reliable fixation of the proximal femoral osteotomy performed for a variety of paediatric orthopaedic conditions.

A comparison of methods of post-operative analgesia in children undergoing limb reconstruction with circular frames.

This retrospective study compared post-operative epidural analgesia (E), continuous peripheral nerve blocks (CPNB) and morphine infusion (M) in 68 children undergoing limb reconstruction with circular frames. The data collected included episodes of severe pain, post-operative duration of analgesia, requirement for top-up analgesia, number of osteotomies, side effects and complications. There was a significant difference between the number of episodes of severe pain in patients receiving a morphine infusion and those receiving epidurals or CPNB (M vs E, p < 0.0001; M vs CPNB, p = 0.018). The CPNB group was associated with the lowest incidence of episodes of severe pain and top-up analgesia. Epidural analgesia was associated with significantly more nausea and vomiting than morphine infusion (p = 0.053) and CPNB (p = 0.023). It also had a significantly higher incidence of motor blockade than CPNB (p < 0.01). We found that the most effective method of post-operative analgesia for children undergoing lower limb reconstruction was sciatic nerve catheterisation and continuous infusion.

Outcome of limb lengthening in fibular hemimelia and a functional foot.

BACKGROUND: The decision to recommend either reconstructive or ablative surgery to the parents of children with fibular hemimelia is difficult and debatable in the orthopaedic literature. METHODS: This is a retrospective study reporting our experience of the treatment of eight children (eight limbs) with fibular hemimelia with limb lengthening using Ilizarov or Taylor spatial frames. All of these children had type 1 or 2a fibular hemimelia (Achterman and Kalamchi). We used the number of rays present in the foot as a guide to decide on the treatment option. Children with more than three rays at the time of presentation were considered for limb reconstruction using Taylor spatial or Ilizarov frames. RESULTS: All patients were ambulatory and mobile with acceptable leg lengths and limb alignment at the time of last follow-up. All of them were satisfied with the outcome. Knee stiffness was a significant problem in the majority of the patients following lengthening. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that limb reconstruction in children with less severe forms of fibular hemimelia is a good option.

The deformity index as a predictor of final radiological outcome in Perthes' disease.

The deformity index is a new radiological measurement of the degree of deformity of the femoral head in unilateral Perthes' disease. Its values represent a continuous outcome measure of deformity incorporating changes in femoral epiphyseal height and width compared with the unaffected side. The sphericity of the femoral head in 30 radiographs (ten normal and 20 from patients with Perthes' disease) were rated blindly as normal, mild, moderate or severe by three observers. Further blinded measurements of the deformity index were made on two further occasions with intervals of one month. There was good agreement between the deformity index score and the subjective grading of deformity. Intra- and interobserver agreement for the deformity index was high. The intraobserver intraclass correlation coefficient for each observer was 0.98, 0.99 and 0.97, respectively, while the interobserver intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.98 for the first and 0.97 for the second set of calculations. We also reviewed retrospectively 96 radiographs of children with Perthes' disease, who were part of a multicentre trial which followed them to skeletal maturity. We found that the deformity index at two years correlated well with the Stulberg grading at skeletal maturity. A deformity index value above 0.3 was associated with the development of an aspherical femoral head. Using a deformity index value of 0.3 to divide groups for risk gives a sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 81% for predicting a Stulberg grade of III or IV. We conclude that the deformity index at two years is a valid and reliable radiological outcome measure in unilateral Perthes' disease.

Training opportunities in the management of paediatric fractures: a district general hospital perspective.

INTRODUCTION: Increasing subspecialisation, the introduction of reforms to surgical training, centralisation of hospitals and the reduction of working hours brought about by the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) has direct implications on the training of surgeons in the UK. The aim of this study was to determine the range and number of procedures performed for paediatric orthopaedic fractures, degree of supervision and possible implications for training. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of procedures for paediatric orthopaedic fractures performed in a district general hospital in a year was conducted. RESULTS: A total of 210 paediatric fracture procedures were performed, including 99 distal radius/ulna procedures, 28 shaft radius/ulna, 25 supracondylar procedures, 15 hand fracture procedures, 14 tibial shaft procedures. Middle grade/registrars and senior house officers performed 188 (89.5%) of all procedures. Consultant supervision was documented in 29 (13.8%) of all procedures performed. The number and type of common, as well as unusual, injuries was documented. The educational value of a training post may only be confirmed by reliable data which would provide an indication of operative opportunities and degree of supervision available to a trainee. CONCLUSIONS: This study provided a model upon which all operative training opportunities in the orthopaedic department is documented. It is suggested that such data should form the basis of the establishment of training posts within a region. To maintain the high standard of orthopaedic training in the UK, the maintenance of such posts, number of trainees and seniority of trainees appointed to any hospital within a training region should be on the basis of data such as reported in this study.

Operative treatment for hip subluxation in spinal muscular atrophy.

Subluxation of the hip is common in patients with intermediate spinal muscular atrophy. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the influence of surgery on pain and function, as well as the natural history of subluxed hips which were treated conservatively. Thirty patients were assessed clinically and radiologically. Of the nine who underwent surgery only one reported satisfaction and four had recurrent subluxation. Of the 21 patients who had no surgery, 18 had subluxation at the latest follow-up, but only one reported pain in the hip. We conclude that surgery for subluxation of the hip in these patients is not justified.

The removal of forearm plates in children.

Routine removal of forearm plates in children remains controversial. The aim of the study was to assess if risks of complications associated with removal of forearm plates in children warrant routine removal of these plates. A total of 43 children (mean age 10.6 years old at time of fracture fixation) who had forearm plates removed after fracture fixation in our unit over a 10-year period were reviewed. There were three cases of re-fractures (two in the same child), all of which occurred following an episode of trauma and the use of Dynamic Compression Plates (DCP). One case of superficial infection was successfully treated with oral antibiotics. Low rates of complications from routine removal of metal work after forearm plating in children may be achieved.

Casting versus surgical fixation for grade IIIA open tibial diaphysial fractures in children: effect on the rate of infection and the need for secondary surgical procedures to promote bone union.

We evaluated 39 grade IIIA open tibial fractures presenting in children younger than 13 years of age, to determine if the mode of fracture stabilization (casting vs. surgical fixation) was related to the rate of infection or the need for secondary surgical procedures to promote bone union. All fractures had wound debridement in the operating room. Thirty patients had manipulation and casting, and nine surgical internal or external fixation. There were two cases of infection in the cast-treated group and two in the surgical fixation group (P=0.17). None of the fractures required a secondary surgical procedure to promote bone union. Three of the fractures treated by manipulation and casting displaced; two required re-manipulation and casting and one was converted to external fixation. In two cases the applied external fixator had to be re-aligned. Our results suggest that manipulation and casting is a reliable treatment for open tibial fractures in children.

Functional treatment of acute metatarsal fractures: a prospective randomised comparison of management in a cast versus elasticated support bandage.

A randomised controlled trial was performed in 50 patients with acute isolated minimally displaced lesser metatarsal fractures in order to compare plaster immobilisation with elasticated support bandage treatment. Patients treated with elasticated support bandage had significantly higher AOFAS mid-foot scores at 3-months follow-up and complained of less pain throughout the treatment period. There was no difference between the two groups in time to independent mobility, mid-foot circumference, analgesic requirements and radiological union at 3 months. As plaster casts are associated with serious complications, which were encountered in these studies, we conclude that minimally displaced metatarsal fractures are better treated without a cast.

Early versus delayed surgical treatment of open tibial fractures: effect on the rates of infection and need of secondary surgical procedures to promote bone union.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether there was any significant difference in the rates of infection and of secondary surgical procedures to promote bone union, between early(6 h or less after arrival to hospital) and delayed(more than 6 h) surgical treatment of open tibial fractures. Three hundred and eighty-three open tibial fractures were evaluated. 184 fractures had early and 199 had delayed surgical treatment. The rates of infection and secondary surgical procedures to promote bone union of the two groups were compared with univariate and multivariate statistical methods. There was no statistically significant difference between early and delayed treatment groups with respect to overall infection (53/184 versus 51/199 infection rates, P = 0.96), deep infection (8/184 versus 8/199 infection rates, P = 1.0), and rates of secondary surgical procedures to promote bone union (24/184 versus 20/198, P = 0.77). We were unable to demonstrate any significant difference in infection rates or need of secondary procedures to promote bone union, between early and delayed surgical treatment of open tibial fractures.

Effect of a bisphosphonate, disodium pamidronate, on the quasi-static flexural properties of Palacos R acrylic bone cement.

Aseptic loosening is a major complication of joint replacements and is thought to be associated with a heavy macrophage infiltrate in response to wear particles. Bisphosphonates are compounds known to inhibit osteoclastic activity and are used to reduce osteolysis in Paget's disease, osteoporosis, and metastatic bone disease. Oral bisphosphonates have also been used to decrease osteolysis and therefore prevent aseptic loosening of joint replacements. It has been suggested that bisphosphonates mixed in bone cement can reduce bone resorption in joint replacement surgery. This would be an excellent therapeutic option to prevent or control osteolysis. The present aim was to study the mechanical properties of a commercially available acrylic bone cement, Palacos R, mixed with the bisphosphonate pamidronate. The liquid monomer of Palacos R was mixed with liquid pamidronate. Two groups of bone-cement strips were produced, one with added pamidronate and one without. The flexural properties of the cement strips were examined. A significant reduction in both the bending modulus and bending strength of the specimens with added pamidronate was found. In conclusion, the use of liquid pamidronate mixed with the acrylic bone cement Palacos R in order to reduce osteolysis is not recommended because of its effect on the mechanical properties of Palacos R.

The use of knee splints after total knee replacements.

The aim of this randomised prospective study was to establish whether the use of knee splints following total knee replacement is necessary. The study included 81 patients undergoing total knee replacement who were randomised into a 'splint' and a 'no splint' group post-operatively. The following parameters were recorded: The range of movement pre-operatively, 5 days post-operatively and 6 weeks post-operatively; the length of time to straight leg raise; the blood drained from the wound; and the amount of post-operative analgesia required. We found that patients in the 'no splint' group achieved significantly greater flexion at 5 days and 6 weeks post-operatively but drained significantly more blood from the wound. Transfusion requirements were similar in the two groups. There was no other significant difference in the parameters measured between the two groups. In conclusion we found no evidence to advocate the use of knee splints following total knee arthroplasty.

Radiological evaluation of surgical treatment in Perthes' disease.

We compared the late radiographic results of femoral head coverage in two unselected groups of patients with Perthes' disease, one treated conservatively and one with surgical containment. Forty-eight hips were treated surgically and 28 hips were managed conservatively. The preoperative radiographs were classified using both the Salter and Herring classifications. We found no significant difference in femoral head coverage between the groups. However, there was a trend towards a better femoral head coverage following surgical containment of Salter type B and Herring type II and III hips. The authors conclude that surgical containment may offer a better prognosis for patients with the more severely affected hips.

The effect of selective ultrasound screening on late presenting DDH.

We examined the impact of selective ultrasound screening on late presenting Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) in the Salford area. In the years 1991-1995, babies with suspected clinical hip instability and a number of babies with known risk factors for DDH were referred to a designated Baby Hip clinic for sonographic hip examination. The decision for treatment was based solely on ultrasound findings. We found that nineteen babies reported as having a clinically normal hip by a Senior Registrar in Orthopaedics had sonographically abnormal hips and were treated successfully with an abduction splint. The incidence of late presenting DDH was not reduced when compared with two previous cohorts born at the same centre. None of the children that presented with a late DDH was referred for a sonographic examination after birth. A more widespread ultrasound screening programme including all babies with risk factors for DDH is advised in order to reduce late presentations.