Management of patients with magnetically controlled growth rods amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: At the time of writing, we are all coping with the global COVID-19 pandemic. Amongst other things, this has had a significant impact on postponing virtually all routine clinic visits and elective surgeries. Concurrently, the Magnetic Expansion Control (MAGEC) rod has been issued with a number of field safety notices and UK regulator medical device alerts. METHODS: This document serves to provide an overview of the current situation regarding the use of MAGEC rods, primarily in the UK, and the impact that the pandemic has had on the management of patients with these rods. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The care of each patient must of course be determined on an individual basis; however, the experience of the authors is that a short delay in scheduled distractions and clinic visits will not adversely impact patient treatment. The authors caution against a gap in distractions of longer than 6 months and emphasise the importance of continued remote patient monitoring to identify those who may need to be seen more urgently.

Knee joint distraction in regular care for treatment of knee osteoarthritis: A comparison with clinical trial data.

OBJECTIVES: Knee joint distraction (KJD) has been evaluated as a joint-preserving treatment to postpone total knee arthroplasty in knee osteoarthritis patients in three clinical trials. Since 2014 the treatment is used in regular care in some hospitals, which might lead to a deviation from the original indication and decreased treatment outcome. In this study, baseline characteristics, complications and clinical benefit are compared between patients treated in regular care and in clinical trials. METHODS: In our hospital, 84 patients were treated in regular care for 6 weeks with KJD. Surgical details, complications, and range of motion were assessed from patient hospital charts. Patient-reported outcome measures were evaluated in regular care before and one year after treatment. Trial patients (n = 62) were treated and followed as described in literature. RESULTS: Patient characteristics were not significantly different between groups, except for distraction duration (regular care 45.3±4.3; clinical trials 48.1±8.1 days; p = 0.019). Pin tract infections were the most occurring complication (70% regular care; 66% clinical trials), but there was no significant difference in treatment complications between groups (p>0.1). The range of motion was recovered within a year after treatment for both groups. WOMAC questionnaires showed statistically and clinically significant improvement for both groups (both p<0.001 and >15 points in all subscales) and no significant differences between groups (all differences p>0.05). After one year, 70% of patients were responders (regular care 61%, trial 75%; p = 0.120). Neither regular care compared to clinical trial, nor any other characteristic could predict clinical response. CONCLUSIONS: KJD as joint-preserving treatment in clinical practice, to postpone arthroplasty for end-stage knee osteoarthritis patient below the age of 65, results in an outcome similar to that thus far demonstrated in clinical trials. Longer follow-up in regular care is needed to test whether also long-term results remain beneficial and comparable to trial data.

Simultaneous lateral column shortening along with differential distraction by Joshi's external stabilization system for rigid neglected clubfoot correction.

Correction of rigid clubfoot in an older child by gradual differential distraction using the Ilizarov's device or Joshi's external stabilization system (JESS) is a time-consuming procedure. We simultaneously combined the lateral column shortening by cuboid wedge resection along with the differential distraction by application of JESS fixator for the treatment of severe, rigid, neglected, or relapsed congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) foot deformity in 30 feet in 18 children with mean age of 5.3 years and mean follow-up of 27.6 months. The mean pretreatment Pirani score was 5.3 which improved to mean Pirani score after treatment of 1.4. Excellent results were obtained in 22 (71.33%) feet, good results in four (13.33%) feet, and poor results in four (13.33%) feet. The average period for distraction in our series was 6.3 weeks, and total average period of fixator in place was 11.2 weeks. To conclude, lateral column shortening with JESS application simultaneously gives early good to excellent short-term results, and the combination of techniques permits rapid correction of deformity, and thus reducing the time for which the fixator is in place and hence has better acceptance by the patient.

[Symphyseal bone distraction (part 2): which protocol in 2018? A systematic literature review]. / Distraction osseuse symphysaire (volet 2) : quel protocole en 2018 ? Une revue systématique.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this systematic literature review is to propose a clinical protocol in 2018 by comparing therapeutic efficacy and undesirable effects of the technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Searches were made on Pubmed/Medline and Cochrane for randomized clinical trials and case series involving mandibular symphyseal distraction over the past 20 years with a patient sample greater than or equal to 10. RESULTS: Of the 92 articles, 25 met the inclusion criteria. A controlled trial was selected, but no randomized trial. The other studies were all case series, 16 retrospective and 8 prospective. Dental crowding over 7 mm, with or without compensation, is an indication for mid-symphyseal distraction. Pre-surgical orthodontic treatment ensures root divergence between the mandibular incisors. Tooth-borne devices are recommended in first intention. Surgical intervention (ambulatory) under local anesthesia and intravenous sedation is considered. The latency period before activation of the jack is 6 days. Activations are performed by the orthodontist and subsequently by the patient at a rate of 1 mm per day, with four activations daily. Orthodontic movements are resumed two weeks after activations are discontinued. The distractor is removed within two to three months after installation. CONCLUSION: Although the main features of the mid-symphyseal distraction protocol were drawn up essentially in the light of expert opinion, they still need to be refined by controlled trials.

[Possibilities and limits of orthodontico-surgical treatments in case of macrodontia]. / Possibilités et limites du traitement de la dysharmonie dents-arcades par chirurgie maxillo-faciale.

INTRODUCTION: Tooth-arch discrepancy is a disproportion between dental volume and bone base. Extraction therapy can be a solution in case of excessive tooth volume and insufficient basal bone length. Techniques including bone distraction popularized by Ilizarov in the fifties allow the increase of the basal arch length in the maxilla as well as in the mandible. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We will describe the procedure of this dental arch length augmentation since the reflection about the therapeutic plan until the sufficient arch length is obtained and describe the indications of this orthodontic and surgical treatment in case of dental crowding, buccal and labial inclination and functional problems. DISCUSSION: Distraction is an interesting technique to be considered for the management of macrodontia that allows to get enough basal bone lenght to reach the therapeutic goal.

Avance maxilar en pacientes fisurados labio palatinos con distractor intraoral / Maxillary advancement in cleft palate patients with intraoral distraction

Introducción. Los pacientes fisurados labio palatinos presentan con frecuencia hipoplasia maxilar. La osteogénesis por distracción (DO) de maxilar superior es una técnica alternativa para pacientes con hipoplasia maxilar severa. Se han evaluado los cambios producidos en tejidos duros y blandos y su estabilidad en el tiempo. Material y métodos. Se ha realizado DO de maxilar a 6 pacientes (5 mujeres y un hombre) fisurados labio palatinos, entre 16-25 años, con un distractor interno. Hemos evaluado mediante trazados cefalométricos en radiografías y fotografías los cambios esqueléticos y en tejidos blandos. El tiempo de seguimiento fue entre 2-8 años. Resultados. En 5 pacientes el punto A avanza entre 3-10 mm mejorando significativamente las relaciones maxilo-mandibulares. En un paciente fracasa la DO intraoral y se termina el caso con RED; en un paciente se evidencia poco avance y rotación maxilar. La recidiva observada entre 6-9 meses post DO es entre el 10 y el 15% tanto esquelética como en tejidos blandos. Conclusiones. La DO intraoral es una técnica alternativa exitosa para avance del maxilar en pacientes fisurados labio palatinos que necesiten un avance inferior a 10 mm. Produce mejoras en el perfil esquelético y blando. Los dispositivos internos no producen impacto psicológico. La contención más larga en el tiempo. La recidiva es difícil de definir y calcular (AU)

Introduction. Patients with cleft lip and palate usually present with maxillary hypoplasia. Upper jaw intraoral distraction osteogenesis (DO) is an alternative technique for patients with severe maxillary hypoplasia. An evaluation was made of the changes produced in hard and soft tissues and their stability over time. Material and methods. Six patients (5 female and 1 male) between 16 and 25 years old with cleft lip and palate underwent maxillary DO with an internal distractor. An evaluation was made of the skeletal and soft tissues changes using cephalometric studies with radiographs and photographs. Follow-up time was between 2 and 8 years. Results. There was Point A advancement between 3-10 mm in 5 patients, significantly improving maxillomandibular relationships. Intraoral DO failed in one patient, and the case was finished using rigid external distraction (RED). In another patient hardly any advancement and maxillary rotation was observed. The relapse observed between 6 and 9 months post DO was between 10-15% in both skeletal and soft tissues. Conclusions. Intraoral DO is a successful alternative technique in maxillary advancement in patients with cleft lip and palate who need an advancement less than 10 mm. It produces improvements in the skeletal and soft profile. Internal devices do not have any psychological impact and have longer consolidation phases. Relapse is difficult to determine and calculate (AU)

Distração osteogênica mediossagital da mandíbula: avaliação em modelos de estudo / Mandibular symphyseal distraction osteogenesis: dental casts evaluation

Introdução: a distração osteogênica mediossagital da mandíbula (DOMM) tem sido apresentada como tratamento para apinhamento inferior associado à atresia mandibular. Objetivo: avaliar, por meio de modelos de estudo, os efeitos da DOMM na arcada inferior de pacientes que utilizam aparelhos dentossuportados....Métodos: a amostra consistiu de 14 pacientes com idades variando de 13 a 19 anos, ao início do tratamento. Modelos de estudos foram obtidos de cada paciente ao início do tratamento (T1), três meses após a DOMM (T2) e no momento da remoção dos aparelhos fixos (T3). Os dados foram submetidos à Análise de Variância e teste complementar de Duncun. Resultados: todas as dimensões transversais aumentaram com a DOMM, o comprimento da arcada não sofreu alteração estatisticamente significativa, o perímetro da arcada aumentou e o índice de irregularidade diminuiu consideravelmente, refletindo a correção das cúspides do que as cervicais, indicando uma possível inclinação causada pelo uso de aparelho dontossuportado. Todas as medidas mostraram algum grau de recidiva, que variou de 2,8% a 8,84%. Conclusões: os achados dessa pesquisa permitem concluir que a DOMM é uma alternativa eficaz para o tratamento do apinhamento associado à deficiência transversal da mandíbula.

Escoliosis de aparición precoz. ¿Qué opciones tengo? / Early onset scoliosis. What are the options?

El pronóstico de los ni˜nos con escoliosis de aparición precoz progresiva ha mejorado considerablemente gracias a los recientes avances en las técnicas quirúrgicas y no quirúrgicas, y al reconocimiento de la trascendencia de preservar la cavidad torácica. La mejora de técnicas ya existentes y el desarrollo de otras nuevas han modificado sustancialmente el tratamiento de esta entidad. Los yesos derrotatorios pueden indicarse en ni˜nos con curvas < 60◦ y progresión constatada, a los que no se ha realizado tratamiento quirúrgico previo. Tanto los tallos de crecimiento únicos como dobles son eficaces, aunque los últimos parecen ofrecer un mejor resultado. Los sistemas híbridos se plantean como mejor opción en ni˜nos que requieren un anclaje proximal con un perfil bajo. El vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR®) puede ser útil en pacientes que presentan escoliosis congénita con fusiones costales y síndrome de insuficiencia torácica asociado. Los ni˜nos no tributarios de elongaciones repetidas por sus comorbilidades pueden ser candidatos a una técnica de Shilla o trolley de Luque. La modulación del crecimiento utilizando grapas de memoria o tirantes resulta prometedora en curvas menores, aunque se requieren más trabajos para definir su indicación precisa (AU)

The prognosis of children with progressive early onset scoliosis has improved considerably due to recent advances in surgical and non-surgical techniques and the understanding of the importance of preserving the thoracic space. Improvements in existing techniques and development of new methods have considerably improved the management of this condition. Derotational casting can be considered in children with documented progression of a < 60◦ curve without previous surgical treatment. Both single and dual growing rods are effective, but the latter seem to offer better results. Hybrid constructs may be a better option in children who require a low-profile proximal anchor. The vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR®) appears to be beneficial for patients with congenital scoliosis and fused ribs, and thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome. Children with medical comorbidities who may not tolerate repeated lengthenings should be considered for Shilla or Luque Trolley technique. Growth modulation using shape memory alloy staples or other tethers seem promising for mild curves, although more research is required to define their precise indications (AU)

Troubleshooting distraction osteogenesis for craniosynostosis.

PURPOSE: We previously reported that distraction osteogenesis is less invasive and gives greater skull advancement compared to conventional cranioplasty [Akai et al: Pediatr Neurosurg 2006;42:288-292]. In this study, we analyzed the distraction osteogenesis process and tried to identify and solve various technical problems. PATIENTS AND RESULTS: We operated on 22 patients, 5 syndromic and 17 nonsyndromic. During treatment, we encountered several problems: (i) dural laceration during craniotomy (2 cases), solution: repair by suturing with fascia; (ii) skull fracture at sphenofrontal or coronal sutures (2 cases), solution: completed distraction; (iii) device dislocation during distraction (1 case), solution: the device was secured to the skull with stainless wire; (iv) wound issues around shaft and device (3 cases), solution: treated with antibiotic ointment. DISCUSSION: (1) Extra caution is needed to avoid dural damage at frontal bottom burr holes. (2) Completion of craniotomy should be confirmed by checking if the bone flap moves in sync with brain pulsation. The craniotomy line should be placed forward of coronal sutures. (3) For patients younger than 2 years, employ clamp-type devices. (4) Shafts should be cut short enough to prevent their tips from exerting pressure or puncturing the scalp from beneath. CONCLUSIONS: The distraction osteogenesis technique has complications that may not occur in conventional one-stage cranioplasty. In this study, neither age at operation nor distraction distance were significant causes of complications during distraction osteogenesis.

The trans-sutural distraction osteogenesis for 22 cases of craniosynostosis: a new, easy, safe, and efficient method in craniosynostosis surgery.

BACKGROUND: Distraction osteogenesis for the treatment of craniosynostosis is becoming more widely used as it is simple, there are less transfusions, and a decreased incidence of complications, although a secondary procedure for the removal of the distractors is necessary. However, to date all previous procedures have still been complicated. The authors present a novel trans-sutural distraction osteogenesis method (TSuDO) for the treatment of all types of craniosynostosis. METHODS: The TSuDO consisted of simple suturectomy of the pathologic suture followed by direct distraction of the suturectomy site only. Types of TSuDO conducted were sagittal TSuDO in 6 patients, coronal TSuDO in 5 patients, unilateral coronal TSuDO in 8 patients, lambdoid TSuDO in 2 patients, and metopic TSuDO in 1 patient (total = 22). Mean age was 9.3 ± 12.7 months. RESULTS: The mean operation time was 143.6 ± 50.2 min, and mean total transfusion volume of blood components was 131.1 ± 78.3 ml. Immediate correction of the abnormal head contour after distraction was observed in all patients, and no complications were encountered except for 1 patient whose distractor malfunctioned and 2 who showed prolonged discharges from the pin sites (controlled by antibiotics). CONCLUSION: TSuDO is a simple, effective, and safe method for the treatment of all types of craniosynostosis, and is especially effective for the correction of unilateral coronal craniosynostosis.

Distracción osteogénica segmentaria de maxilar superior con distractores intraorales / Segmentary osteogenic distraction of maxillary with intraoral distractors

La retrusión mediofacial, con oclusión invertida clase III de Angle, en hipoplasias maxilares secundarias es frecuente en adolescentes con fisuras labiopalatinas. Deformidades similares se ven en las disostosis craneofacilaes operadas en la infancia...Se presenta un nuevo modelo de DOG con osteotomías segmentarias y distractores intraorales fijos a los dientes (SOD), de fácil uso y retiro ambulatorio...Se describen las técnicas de SOD y los resultados obtenidos con tres años de experiencia en 15 pacientes con hipoplasias maxilares

Distracción osteogénica segmentaria de maxilar superior con distractores intraorales / Segmentary osteogenic distraction of maxillary with intraoral distractors

La retrusión mediofacial, con oclusión invertida clase III de Angle, en hipoplasias maxilares secundarias es frecuente en adolescentes con fisuras labiopalatinas. Deformidades similares se ven en las disostosis craneofacilaes operadas en la infancia...Se presenta un nuevo modelo de DOG con osteotomías segmentarias y distractores intraorales fijos a los dientes (SOD), de fácil uso y retiro ambulatorio...Se describen las técnicas de SOD y los resultados obtenidos con tres años de experiencia en 15 pacientes con hipoplasias maxilares