TREATMENT OF OSTEOGENESIS IMPERFECTA USING THE FASSIER-DUVAL TELESCOPIC ROD.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the treatment of patients with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) operated on with a telescopic Fassier-Duval (FD) rod in a querterenario hospital from 2010 to 2020. Methods: We analyzed indication for surgical treatment, causes of reoperation, complications and the effectiveness of telescoping rod. Results: The results were compared with the literature and with the same parameters from a previous study which a different telescopic rod developed by the same authors. This was a retrospective study based on the analysis of digital and radiographic clinical records. Fifteen patients with 21 FD rods were evaluated, most were used on the femur (18 rods or 85.7%), eight patients were female (53.3%), with a mean age of 10.47 (3.92 to 16.44) years, most of whom had type III Sillence (46.7%), with a mean follow-up of 5.22 (1.43 to 7.02) years. Seven rods (33.3%) had complications. The main indication was for fracture (57.1%). Regarding the ability to telescope, we observed that 15 rods (71.4%) followed the child's growth. Conclusion: We had good results using FD rods, similar to the data found in the literature and the data obtained with our rod. Level of Evidence III,Retrospective comparative study .

Objetivos: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o tratamento de pacientes com Osteogênese Imperfeita (OI) operados com a haste telescopada de Fassier-Duval (FD) num hospital quaternário no período de 2010 a 2020. Métodos: Analisamos a indicação cirúrgica do tratamento, as causas de revisão, suas complicações e a eficácia na telescopagem da haste. Resultados: Os resultados foram comparados com a literatura e com os mesmos parâmetros de um artigo anterior no qual foi utilizada uma haste telescopada desenvolvida pelo nosso grupo. O estudo foi retrospectivo baseado na análise dos prontuários clínicos digitais e radiográficos dos pacientes. Quinze pacientes com 21 hastes de FD foram avaliados, sendo a maioria no fêmur (85,7%), oito pacientes eram do sexo feminino (53,3%), com média de 10,47 (3,92 a 16,44) anos, a maioria do tipo III de Sillence (46,7%), com tempo de seguimento médio de 5,22 (1,43 a 7,02) anos. Deste total, sete hastes (33,3%) apresentaram complicações. A principal indicação cirúrgica foram fraturas (57,1%). Em relação à telescopagem, observamos que 15 hastes (71,4%) acompanharam o crescimento da criança. Conclusão: No presente estudo verificamos bons resultados com as hastes de FD, à semelhança dos dados encontrados na literatura e dos dados encontrados com a haste do nosso serviço. Nível de Evidência III; Estudo retrospectivo comparativo .

Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip - Part 1.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a condition characterized by changes in joint formation within the last months of intrauterine life or the first months after birth. Developmental dysplasia of the hip presentation ranges from femoroacetabular instability to several stages of dysplasia up to complete dislocation. Early diagnosis is essential for successful treatment. Clinical screening, including appropriate maneuvers, is critical in newborns and subsequent examinations during the growth of the child. Infants with suspected DDH must undergo an ultrasound screening, especially those with a breech presentation at delivery or a family history of the condition. A hip ultrasound within the first months, followed by pelvic radiograph at 4 or 6 months, determines the diagnosis and helps follow-up. Treatment consists of concentric reduction and hip maintenance and stabilization with joint remodeling. The initial choices are flexion/abduction orthoses; older children may require a spica cast after closed reduction, with or without tenotomy. An open reduction also can be indicated. After 18 months, the choices include pelvic osteotomies with capsuloplasty and, eventually, acetabular and femoral osteotomies. The follow-up of treated children must continue throughout their growth due to the potential risk of late dysplasia.

Percutaneous hemiepiphysiodesis using transphyseal screws for adolescent tibia vara.

Hemiepiphysiodesis around the knee is becoming the mainstay procedure in adolescents for a wide range of aetiological deformities, when considering adolescent tibia vara (ATV), the published series have variable results. The purpose of this study was to review our experience with the percutaneous transphyseal screw (PETS) in these patients followed until bone maturity. We analysed the charts from 13 patients (20 knees) that underwent lateral tibial hemiepiphysiodesis using PETS. The radiographs were accessed before surgery, at implant removal, when occurred, and at the final follow-up. The clinical evaluation noted if there were complaints regarding pain or range of motion, and the radiographic assessment included: the femorotibial angle, the mechanical axis zone, the anatomic lateral distal femoral angle, and medial mechanical proximal tibial angle. There was one overcorrection, and after the screw removal (14 knees), rebound was observed in two knees modifying the result from excellent to good in all three knees. No bone bars and no implant breakage were observed. At the last appointment, all patients had normal knee range of motion, and two patients had unilateral alignment complaints, one of whom referred to occasional pain. Overall, the surgery was excellent in 12 knees (60%), good in six knees (30%), and poor in two knees (10%). This technique is indicated to be well tolerated and effective for treating ATV. When a complete correction cannot be obtained, in our opinion, it is advantageous to at least stabilise the deformity and postpone osteotomies until after skeletal maturity. Level of Evidence: Level IV - Case Series, Therapeutic Study.

Trapezoidal bony correction of the femoral neck in the treatment of severe acute-on-chronic slipped capital femoral epiphysis.

PURPOSE: To present the first technical description of a modified surgical technique for trapezoidal bony correction of the femoral neck in the treatment of slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), performed entirely by arthroscopy. METHODS: From December 2005 to January 2008, 5 patients with severe SCFE underwent trapezoidal femoral neck bone correction through arthroscopy. Their mean age at the time of surgery was 13.2 years. The time for postoperative follow-up ranged from a minimum of 12 months to a maximum of 39 months (mean, 26 months). The study analyzed data regarding the type of slip, degree of correction obtained, clinical and functional outcomes, and complications. RESULTS: Analysis with the modified Harris Hip Score criteria showed a mean of 17.2 points preoperatively and 86.6 points at the last assessment. The mean epiphyseal deviation ranged from 82° at the initial presentation to 14° postoperatively. There were no intraoperative complications, and there was 1 case of avascular necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic treatment of SCFE resulted in correction of the angles of epiphyseal slip (from a mean epiphyseal-diaphyseal angle of 82° before surgery to 14° after surgery), with no immediate complications and 1 case of a late complication (avascular necrosis) in this 5-patient series. Clinical improvement was shown by a mean 69.4-point increase in the modified Harris Hip Score. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF DEVELOPMENTAL DYSPLASIA OF THE HIP IN MALES.

Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) is one of the most common orthopedic hip diseases of the pediatric population. There is a predominance in females and patients with known risk factors. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the characteristics of DDH in a reference center and compare them with the literature. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional observational study based on the review of medical records and radiographs from which epidemiological data such as laterality, age at diagnosis, acetabular index, radiographic classification and others were collected. RESULTS: A total of 297 medical records were found between May 1974 and June 2009. Of those, 147 patients (216 affected hips) were eligible for the survey. Most of the patients came from the state of São Paulo (91.1%), were born in autumn/winter (66.7%), reported as Caucasians (76.9%), with bilateral involvement (46.9%) and mean age at diagnosis of 22.8 months. CONCLUSION: The most frequent type of DDH was high dislocation (28.7%), and the acetabular index progressively increased with the age. The International Hip Dysplasia Institute classification was found to be more reproducible than Tönnis classification. Delayed diagnosis was associated with the absence of risk factors and with bilaterality. Level of Evidence III, Retrospective comparative study.

A displasia do desenvolvimento do quadril (DDQ) é uma das alterações ortopédicas mais frequentes na população pediátrica. Há predominância no sexo feminino e em pacientes com fatores de risco conhecidos. OBJETIVO: Avaliar as características da DDQ no sexo masculino de um grande centro de referência e cotejá-las com a literatura. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de estudo observacional transversal baseado na revisão de prontuários e radiografias de onde foram coletados dados epidemiológicos tais como lateralidade, idade no diagnóstico, índice acetabular, classificação radiográfica e outros. RESULTADOS: Foram encontrados 297 prontuários no período de maio de 1974 a junho de 2009. Destes, 147 pacientes (216 quadris afetados) foram elegíveis para a pesquisa. A maioria dos pacientes era procedente do estado de São Paulo (91,1%), nascidos no outono/inverno (66,7%), autodeclarados caucasianos (76,9%), com acometimento bilateral (46,9%) e idade média no diagnóstico de 22,8 meses. CONCLUSÃO: O tipo de DDQ mais encontrado foi a luxação alta (28,7%); o índice acetabular apresentou-se progressivamente aumentado quanto maior a idade do paciente. A classificação do International Hip Dysplasia Institute mostrou-se mais reprodutível que a Classificação de Tönnis. O atraso no diagnóstico foi associado à ausência de fatores de risco e à bilateralidade. Nível de Evidência III, Estudo retrospectivo comparativo.

Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip - Part 1 / Displasia do desenvolvimento do quadril - Parte 1

Abstract Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a condition characterized by changes in joint formation within the last months of intrauterine life or the first months after birth. Developmental dysplasia of the hip presentation ranges from femoroacetabular instability to several stages of dysplasia up to complete dislocation. Early diagnosis is essential for successful treatment. Clinical screening, including appropriate maneuvers, is critical in newborns and subsequent examinations during the growth of the child. Infants with suspected DDH must undergo an ultrasound screening, especially those with a breech presentation at delivery or a family history of the condition. A hip ultrasound within the first months, followed by pelvic radiograph at 4 or 6 months, determines the diagnosis and helps follow-up. Treatment consists of concentric reduction and hip maintenance and stabilization with joint remodeling. The initial choices are flexion/abduction orthoses; older children may require a spica cast after closed reduction, with or without tenotomy. An open reduction also can be indicated. After 18 months, the choices include pelvic osteotomies with capsuloplasty and, eventually, acetabular and femoral osteotomies. The follow-up of treated children must continue throughout their growth due to the potential risk of late dysplasia.

Resumo O termo displasia do desenvolvimento quadril (DDQ) refere-se à condição na qual a articulação sofre alterações na sua formação durante os últimos meses da vida intrauterina ou nos primeiros meses após o nascimento. No espectro de apresentação, varia desde a instabilidade femuroacetabular, passando por estádios de displasia até a completa luxação. O diagnóstico precoce é fundamental para o sucesso do tratamento. A triagem através do exame clínico incluindo manobras apropriadas é imprescindível nos recém-nascidos e nas avaliações subsequentes durante o crescimento da criança. O rastreamento ultrassonográfico é indicado nos bebês sob suspeita clínica e muito mais recomendável naqueles que tiveram apresentação pélvica para o parto ou que tenham antecedentes familiares. A ultrassonografia do quadril nos primeiros meses seguida da radiografia da bacia após o 4° ou 6° mês de vida são os exames que determinam o diagnóstico e auxiliam o seguimento. O tratamento está baseado na obtenção de uma redução concêntrica e na manutenção e estabilização do quadril, propiciando a remodelação articular. Inicialmente, as órteses de flexão/abdução são a escolha; em crianças maiores pode ser necessário o uso de gesso após redução incruenta com ou sem tenotomia; redução aberta pode ser indicada e após os 18 meses as osteotomias pélvicas associadas a capsuloplastia e eventuais osteotomias acetabular e femoral. Crianças tratadas devem ser acompanhadas durante todo o seu crescimento pelo eventual risco de displasias tardias.

Treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta using the fassier-duval telescopic rod / Tratamento da osteogênese imperfeita com a haste telescópica fassier-duval

ABSTRACT Objectives: This study aimed to assess the treatment of patients with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) operated on with a telescopic Fassier-Duval (FD) rod in a querterenario hospital from 2010 to 2020. Methods: We analyzed indication for surgical treatment, causes of reoperation, complications and the effectiveness of telescoping rod. Results: The results were compared with the literature and with the same parameters from a previous study which a different telescopic rod developed by the same authors. This was a retrospective study based on the analysis of digital and radiographic clinical records. Fifteen patients with 21 FD rods were evaluated, most were used on the femur (18 rods or 85.7%), eight patients were female (53.3%), with a mean age of 10.47 (3.92 to 16.44) years, most of whom had type III Sillence (46.7%), with a mean follow-up of 5.22 (1.43 to 7.02) years. Seven rods (33.3%) had complications. The main indication was for fracture (57.1%). Regarding the ability to telescope, we observed that 15 rods (71.4%) followed the child's growth. Conclusion: We had good results using FD rods, similar to the data found in the literature and the data obtained with our rod. Level of Evidence III,Retrospective comparative study .

RESUMO Objetivos: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o tratamento de pacientes com Osteogênese Imperfeita (OI) operados com a haste telescopada de Fassier-Duval (FD) num hospital quaternário no período de 2010 a 2020. Métodos: Analisamos a indicação cirúrgica do tratamento, as causas de revisão, suas complicações e a eficácia na telescopagem da haste. Resultados: Os resultados foram comparados com a literatura e com os mesmos parâmetros de um artigo anterior no qual foi utilizada uma haste telescopada desenvolvida pelo nosso grupo. O estudo foi retrospectivo baseado na análise dos prontuários clínicos digitais e radiográficos dos pacientes. Quinze pacientes com 21 hastes de FD foram avaliados, sendo a maioria no fêmur (85,7%), oito pacientes eram do sexo feminino (53,3%), com média de 10,47 (3,92 a 16,44) anos, a maioria do tipo III de Sillence (46,7%), com tempo de seguimento médio de 5,22 (1,43 a 7,02) anos. Deste total, sete hastes (33,3%) apresentaram complicações. A principal indicação cirúrgica foram fraturas (57,1%). Em relação à telescopagem, observamos que 15 hastes (71,4%) acompanharam o crescimento da criança. Conclusão: No presente estudo verificamos bons resultados com as hastes de FD, à semelhança dos dados encontrados na literatura e dos dados encontrados com a haste do nosso serviço. Nível de Evidência III; Estudo retrospectivo comparativo .

Hemarthrosis subtalar, a rare diagnosis.

Type B hemophilia usually affects patients with a family history of this disease and has a typical clinical picture. However, in the present case it appeared in a patient outside the typical age with no family history of hematologic malignancies and with an unusual clinical picture.

A hemofilia do tipo B afeta normalmente pacientes com história familiar positiva para a doença e se apresenta com quadro clínico típico. No presente caso, no entanto, o diagnóstico se deu em um paciente fora da idade típica, sem histórico familiar de doenças hematológicas e quadro clínico diferente do habitual.

Medial hip arthroscopy portals: a novel approach for hip pathologies. Is it feasible?

PURPOSE: To report 3 patients operated on using medial hip arthroscopic portals, describe the surgical technique and clinical outcomes. METHODS: Three medial portals were made, the first one at the posterior edge of the adductor longus muscle (posterior medial portal), the second one at the anterior (anterior medial portal) and the third at the posterior border of the adductor longus, 5 cm distal to the inguinal crease (distal posterior medial portal). The first case was an 8-year-old boy with a lytic lesion at the posteromedial region of the femoral neck suggestive of sub-acute osteomyelitis. The second patient was a 21-year-old male with a posteromedial femoral neck nidus. The third patient was a 42-year-old male with a posteromedial femoral neck cystic lesion. CONCLUSIONS: The described portals allowed successful access to posteromedial femoral neck. There were no neurovascular lesions, infection, femoral head osteonecrosis, skin retraction or functional limitation related to the portals.

PELVIC INJURY IN CHILDHOOD: WHAT IS ITS CURRENT IMPORTANCE?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the importance of pelvic fractures in childhood by analyzing epidemiological characteristics and associated injuries. METHODS: This is a retrospective study performed between 2002 and 2012 at two trauma referral centers in São Paulo. We identified 25 patients aged 16 years old or younger with pelvic fracture. RESULTS: The main mechanism of trauma was traffic accident (80%), followed by fall from height (16%). At hospital admission, 92% had traumatic brain injury and 40% had hemodynamic instability. Besides pelvic fractures, 56% of the children had other associated injuries (genitourinary, abdominal, vascular, chest and neurological), and 79% of them required operative treatment. According to the Torode and Zieg classification, the majority of cases were types III and IV. Seventy-two percent of all pelvic fractures were treated by surgery; 52% involved external fixation and 20% involved open reduction and internal fixation. CONCLUSIONS: The pelvic fractures in childhood can be considered a marker for injury severity, because the associated injuries usually are severe, needing operative treatment and leading to a high mortality rate (12%). Level of Evidence IV, Case Series.

Calcinosis universalis: a rare diagnosis.

Calcinosis universalis is characterized by the deposit of calcium salts in skin, subcutaneous tissue, tendons and muscles. Most cases become apparent during the first decade of life. Clinical aspects may vary from arthralgia to movement limitation, with calcification of soft tissues. Differential diagnosis should exclude fibrodysplasia ossificans progressive, progressive osseous heterodysplasia, myositis ossificans and dermatopolymyositis. There is no specific treatment, but the use of calcium chelates (EDTA), biphosphonates (disodium etidronate) and steroids are mentioned. This paper presents a review of the literature and adds a new case of calcinosis universalis and its evolution in 28 months, describing laboratory and radiograph findings and suggesting the differential diagnosis among processes of soft tissue calcification.

[Clinical, radiographic and laboratory evaluation of patients with osteogenesis imperfecta]. / Avaliação clínica, radiográfica e laboratorial de pacientes com osteogênese imperfeita.

BACKGROUND: Osteogenesis imperfecta is a genetic disorder characterized by defects in type I collagen. The main symptom is bone fragility and susceptibility to fractures. Other clinical findings are dentinogenesis imperfecta, blue sclera, early deafness and joint laxity. The purpose of this paper is to establish a practical relationship of the clinical differences between the Sillence's groups. METHODS: 22 patients were classified according to Sillence et al criteria and submitted to laboratory tests including blood calcium level and bone densitometry. RESULTS: All clinical and laboratory differences were discussed in the text. CONCLUSIONS: Differences such as results that were found in walking ability, height and bone densitometry were significant and may help to classify patients and to establish prognosis.

The epidemiology of developmental dysplasia of the hip in males / Epidemiologia da displasia do desenvolvimento do quadril no sexo masculino

ABSTRACT Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) is one of the most common orthopedic hip diseases of the pediatric population. There is a predominance in females and patients with known risk factors. Objective: To evaluate the characteristics of DDH in a reference center and compare them with the literature. Methods: This is a cross-sectional observational study based on the review of medical records and radiographs from which epidemiological data such as laterality, age at diagnosis, acetabular index, radiographic classification and others were collected. Results: A total of 297 medical records were found between May 1974 and June 2009. Of those, 147 patients (216 affected hips) were eligible for the survey. Most of the patients came from the state of São Paulo (91.1%), were born in autumn/winter (66.7%), reported as Caucasians (76.9%), with bilateral involvement (46.9%) and mean age at diagnosis of 22.8 months. Conclusion: The most frequent type of DDH was high dislocation (28.7%), and the acetabular index progressively increased with the age. The International Hip Dysplasia Institute classification was found to be more reproducible than Tönnis classification. Delayed diagnosis was associated with the absence of risk factors and with bilaterality. Level of Evidence III, Retrospective comparative study.

RESUMO A displasia do desenvolvimento do quadril (DDQ) é uma das alterações ortopédicas mais frequentes na população pediátrica. Há predominância no sexo feminino e em pacientes com fatores de risco conhecidos. Objetivo: Avaliar as características da DDQ no sexo masculino de um grande centro de referência e cotejá-las com a literatura. Métodos: Trata-se de estudo observacional transversal baseado na revisão de prontuários e radiografias de onde foram coletados dados epidemiológicos tais como lateralidade, idade no diagnóstico, índice acetabular, classificação radiográfica e outros. Resultados: Foram encontrados 297 prontuários no período de maio de 1974 a junho de 2009. Destes, 147 pacientes (216 quadris afetados) foram elegíveis para a pesquisa. A maioria dos pacientes era procedente do estado de São Paulo (91,1%), nascidos no outono/inverno (66,7%), autodeclarados caucasianos (76,9%), com acometimento bilateral (46,9%) e idade média no diagnóstico de 22,8 meses. Conclusão: O tipo de DDQ mais encontrado foi a luxação alta (28,7%); o índice acetabular apresentou-se progressivamente aumentado quanto maior a idade do paciente. A classificação do International Hip Dysplasia Institute mostrou-se mais reprodutível que a Classificação de Tönnis. O atraso no diagnóstico foi associado à ausência de fatores de risco e à bilateralidade. Nível de Evidência III, Estudo retrospectivo comparativo.

Roentgenographic Evaluation of the Spine in Patients With Osteogenesis Imperfecta.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a hereditary connective tissue disorder that leads to bone weakness and deformities, especially in the spine, which can lead to poor outcomes.The aim of this study was to find patterns and risk factors in spinal deformities in patients with OI.In a retrospective study, 70 patients with OI were selected. Radiographs of the spine were evaluated. We observed the presence or absence of the following changes: biconcave vertebrae, chest and vertebral deformities, unilateral rib, and thoracolumbar kyphosis. The greater curve was considered the primary one, and the secondary curve considered compensatory.In the study sample, we observed that the patients' ages ranged between 7 and 50 years, with a mean equal to 13 years, and 76% had scoliosis. In 68% of cases the main curve in the thoracic region was observed with the convexity to the right.The following was found in patients with OI: scoliosis, biconcave vertebrae, vertebral and chest deformity, unilateral rib, and thoracolumbar kyphosis. The thoracolumbar kyphosis is highly associated with thoracic hypokyphosis in patients with OI.

Accidents due to falls from roof slabs.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE Falls from the roof slabs of houses are accidents of high potential severity that occur in large Brazilian cities and often affect children and adolescents. The aims of this study were to characterize the factors that predispose towards this type of fall involving children and adolescents, quantify the severity of associated lesions and suggest preventive measures. DESIGN AND SETTING Descriptive observational prospective longitudinal study in two hospitals in the metropolitan region of São Paulo. METHODS Data were collected from 29 cases of falls from roof slabs involving children and adolescents between October 2008 and October 2009. RESULTS Cases involving males were more prevalent, accounting for 84%. The predominant age group was schoolchildren (7 to 12 years old; 44%). Leisure activities were most frequently being practiced on the roof slab at the time of the fall (86%), and flying a kite was the most prevalent game (37.9%). In 72% of the cases, the children were unaccompanied by an adult responsible for them. Severe conditions such as multiple trauma and traumatic brain injuries resulted from 79% of the accidents. CONCLUSION Falls from roof slabs are accidents of high potential severity, and preventive measures aimed towards informing parents and guardians about the dangers and risk factors associated with this type of accident are needed, along with physical protective measures, such as low walls around the slab and gates with locks to restrict free access to these places.

Chronic slipped capital femoral epiphysis: a radiographic evaluation of the Southwick osteotomy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiographic correction and the complications in Southwick osteotomy for slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) on the basis of radiographic evaluation. We retrospectively analyzed the charts of 37 patients with chronic, unilateral, moderate, or severe SCFE, who underwent the procedure, verifying Southwick angles, articulotrochanteric distance, and the articular narrowing on preoperative, postoperative periods, and in the last follow-up evaluation, using the contralateral, healthy hip, for comparison. Southwick's angle changed from 117.8 to 147.3° on average (front) and from 56.9 to 19.1° (Lauenstein view). Articulotrochanteric distance changed from 11.3 to 24.1 mm (normal distance 22.1 mm). Joint space changed from 4.3 mm preoperatively to 3.84 mm. Chondrolysis was diagnosed in five cases before and eight cases after surgery. There was no case of avascular necrosis. Southwick osteotomy effectively corrected SCFE deformity. There was a tendency toward excessive valgism.

Flexible intramedullary nails with traction versus plaster cast for treating femoral shaft fractures in children: comparative retrospective study.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE Femoral fractures are common in children between 2 and 12 years of age, and 75% of the lesions affect the femoral shaft. Traction followed by a plaster cast is universally accepted as conservative treatment. However, in some situations, a surgical approach is recommended. The objective here was to compare treatments for femoral shaft fractures using intramedullary nails (titanium elastic nails, TEN) versus traction and plaster casts in children. The hypothesis was that TEN might provide better treatment, with good clinical results in comparison with plaster casts. DESIGN AND SETTING This retrospective comparative study was conducted in a public university hospital. METHODS Sixty children with femoral fractures were evaluated; 30 of them underwent surgical treatment with TEN and 30 were treated conservatively using plaster casts. The patients' ages ranged from 5 to 13 years (mean of 9 years). RESULTS The mean duration of hospitalization was nine days for the surgical group and 20 days for the conservative group. The incidence of overgrowth in the patients treated with TEN was 60.0% and, for those treated conservatively, 13.3%. Partial weight-bearing was allowed after 3.5 weeks in the surgical group and after 9.6 weeks in the conservative group. New hospitalization was required for 90.0% in the surgical group and 16.7% in the conservative group. Patients treated with plaster casts presented higher incidence of complications, such as loss of reduction. CONCLUSIONS The surgical method presented better results for children.

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis: reduction as a risk factor for avascular necrosis.

Complication rates after the treatment of slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) were retrospectively evaluated to identify possible risk factors. Twenty-six patients with SCFE underwent reduction and fixation with a single screw or multiple wires. The prevalence of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the hip or chondrolysis was 14.8 and 3.6%, respectively. The degree of SCFE (P=0.050) and reduction before the seventh day after the slip (P=0.028) were associated with AVN. The risk factors for AVN were found to be a higher grade of SCFE correction and reduction between the second and the seventh day after SCFE.

CONGENITAL PSEUDARTHROSIS OF THE CLAVICLE.

Congenital pseudarthrosis of the clavicle (PCC) is a rare affection, that can be diagnosed at birth and represent a disturbance of union of the ossification centers. It's more common in girls and in the right side. This study objectives to proceed a revision about the subject, that was searched in online database of LILACS and MEDLINE. We found 56 articles till present data. Besides be a bit infrequent, the PCC must not be missed or even forgotten, especially as differential diagnosis with acute fracture of the clavicle at birth by trauma in the childbirth. The diagnostic is relatively easy and the treatment can be just observation or even surgical.

Radiographic evaluation in epiphysiolysis: possible predictors of bilaterality?

OBJECTIVE: To identify anatomical changes and skeletal maturity through radiographic analysis, allowing more accuracy for indication of surgical management of non-slipped hips in patients with epiphysiolisys. METHOD: A retrospective study of the radiographs of 61 patients followed until the end of skeletal growth, assigned to two groups: 37 patients with unilateral epiphysiolysis, and 24 patients with contralateral epiphysiolysis diagnosed during follow-up. The skeletal maturity was evaluated using pelvis radiographs (Oxford method) and compared between the groups for patients of the same gender. In addition, the Southwick angle (in anteroposterior and in Lauenstein view), physeal sloping angle and physeal posterior sloping angle were compared as well. RESULTS: Skeletal maturity showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups for both genders. It was observed that the lateral view of the Southwick angle is mathematically equal to the physeal posterior sloping angle, and were the only ones to show relevant differences between the groups. CONCLUSION: The Oxford method and the Southwick angle in Lauenstein view can be utilized as parameters to help the physician to better indicate the prophylactic surgical treatment of the contralateral hip, in patients with slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). Level of Evidence III, Diagnostic Study.