Spinal Anesthesia is Superior to General Anesthesia for Percutaneous Achilles Tenotomy in Infants.

BACKGROUND: Concern about the effects of inhaled, halogenated anesthetics on neurodevelopment of infants has renewed interest in regional anesthesia as an alternative to general anesthesia (GA). Infants undergoing percutaneous Achilles tenotomy (PAT) are well suited for spinal anesthesia (SP). METHODS: Thirty infants (mean age: 2.3 mo) undergoing PAT with SP were compared with 15 infants (mean age: 2.0 mo) undergoing PAT with GA. Data collected included perioperative times, heart rate and blood pressure, and the administration of opioids. RESULTS: Ten of 15 GA (67%) patients received perioperative opioids as opposed to 1 of 30 SP patients (3.3%) (P<0.0001). The time from the start of anesthesia to the start of surgery was shorter in the SP group (8.5 vs. 14 min, P<0.0009). The time from the start of anesthesia to first oral intake was shorter in the SP group (12 vs. 31 min, P<0.0033). The time of first phase recovery (phase 1 post anesthesia care unit) was shorter in the SP group (15.5 vs. 34 min, P<0.0026). Surgery time was not significantly different between the groups (SP: 15.5 min, GA: 15 min, P=0.81). CONCLUSION: Infants undergoing PAT with SP received less opioid, did not require an airway device, did not receive potent inhaled, halogenated hydrocarbon anesthetics, and exhibited faster and qualitatively better postoperative recovery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-case control study.

Ultrasound diagnosis of medial clavicular epiphysis avulsion fracture in a neonate.

Clavicle fractures are the most common bony injury that occurs during the delivery process. We present a case of medial clavicular physeal fracture mimicking sternoclavicular dislocation diagnosed by ultrasound (US) in a neonate. The infant presented to our clinic at 12 days old with improving left upper extremity pseudoparalysis and outside radiographs interpreted as left sternoclavicular dislocation. US demonstrated a displaced physeal fracture rather than a dislocation. The radiologist should be aware of this potential distinction. Our case shows the usefulness of US in obtaining the definitive diagnosis without the need for radiation or sedation, demonstrates a unique use of this modality, and illustrates that US should be considered for clarification in future cases of suspected sternoclavicular injury in the neonate.

The demographics of talipes equinovarus in Indiana, with a particular emphasis on comparisons between clubfoot types.

Talipes equinovarus (TEV) can be an isolated idiopathic deformity or associated with various syndromes. The purpose of our study was to examine the demographics of TEV in Indiana. All TEV patients from 2010 to 2019 from our institution were reviewed, recording standard demographic variables. The socioeconomic level of the family was determined using the 2018 Area Deprivation Index (ADI). There were 568 patients; 456 had idiopathic TEV and 112 syndromic. Within the idiopathic group, 69.1% were male, 92.1% were typical and 7.9% were atypical. Medical issues during the pregnancy occurred in 19.5%, maternal smoking in 2.9%, hypertension in 3.9% and diabetes in 5.3%. The most common syndromic patients were myelomeningocele (29%) and arthrogryposis (17%). Patients with syndromic TEV had more bilateral involvement (68.2% vs. 45.2%) and other associated congenital deformities (67.0% vs. 11.4%). TEV was less common in Hispanics and Asians but more common in Whites and Blacks ( P = 0.003). Complex TEVs were less frequent in White (6.9%) and Black (5.0%) and more common in Hispanic (30%) children ( P = 0.0002). The ADI demonstrated no difference in prevalence across socioeconomic levels. There were no differences by state ADI levels for TEV type (syndromic/idiopathic), sex, maternal smoking or illicit drug use, or typical/complex TEV. This study is the first to describe the demographics of TEV in Indiana, demographic differences between typical and complex types of clubfeet, and TEV patients using the ADI. TEV did not show any difference in prevalence by socioeconomic level.

Association of Socioeconomic Status With Relapse After Ponseti Method Treatment of Idiopathic Clubfeet.

Background: The Ponseti method is today's standard treatment of idiopathic talipes equinovarus (ITEV). Compliance with foot abduction bracing (FABO) and socioeconomic factors have been shown to impact treatment outcome. We wished to further study socioeconomic factors using the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), a more comprehensive way to evaluate socioeconomic status, which has not been done before. Methods: All TEV patients from 2010 through 2019 treated with the Ponseti method were reviewed. Standard demographic variables, as well as the number of casts to complete initial correction, FABO compliance, and occurrence of relapse were tabulated. Socioeconomic level was quantified with the 2018 ADI. Results: There were 168 children; 151 had typical and 17 complex TEV. Average follow-up was 4.3 ± 1.8 years; relapse occurred in 46%. There were no significant differences in the percentage of relapse by sex, race, or ADI. FABO noncompliance was present in 46%. Relapse increased with increasing time of follow-up and FABO noncompliance (76% vs 21%, P < 10-6). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that only FABO compliance and length of follow-up were associated with relapse. The OR of relapse for FABO noncompliance was 17.9 (7.6, 42.4, P < 10-6) and for follow-up >4 years the OR was 4.97 (2.1, 11.70, P = .0003). Conclusion: The outcome of the Ponseti method for TEV treatment is dependent on local circumstances. In our state, socioeconomic status, as determined by the ADI, was not associated with the occurrence of relapse. Thus, each center needs to assess its results, and analyze its own reasons for relapse. There were no other demographic variables associated with relapse except FABO compliance and length of follow-up. Parents should be strongly advised that FABO compliance and follow-up appears paramount to achieving the best results, and that complex TEV are at greater risk for relapse. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.

Advanced containment methods for Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease: results of triple pelvic osteotomy.

BACKGROUND: Although surgical containment has become a mainstay for the treatment of Legg-Calvé-Perthes (LCP) disease; traditional operations (varus osteotomy of femur, Salter osteotomy) have certain limitations, sometimes resulting in a prolonged limp or inadequate containment. This paper presents the surgical method and results of triple pelvic osteotomy for containment treatment of LCP disease. METHODS: This retrospective review of 39 children (40 hips; age 5 to 13 y) with LCP disease treated with triple pelvic osteotomy (1995 to 2005) included preoperative lateral pillar assessment and other measurements. Final follow-up films (minimum 3 y, range 3 to 9 y) were assessed using the modified Stulberg classification. Clinical follow-up evaluation assessed limp, limb-length inequality, range of motion, and activity level. RESULTS: Twenty-one (53%) hips were graded as lateral pillar B and 19 (48%) were lateral pillar C. Four patients required further treatment before the final follow-up. At final follow-up, 42% had a good outcome (Stulberg I/II), 47% had a fair outcome (Stulberg III), and 11% had a poor outcome. Thus, 89% of patients had satisfactory (good or fair) results. There was a significant difference in outcome based on the preoperative lateral pillar, with B hips more likely to have a good outcome (65%) compared with lateral pillar C hips (12.5%) (P=0.002). There were no lateral pillar B patients with a poor outcome. Seventeen percent of the lateral pillar C patients more than or equal to age 8 had a poor outcome compared with 50% being more than age 8 with a poor outcome. Four patients (3 lateral pillar C, 1 lateral pillar B) required further surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Triple pelvic osteotomy resulted in maintenance of head shape in lateral pillar B patients of all ages and in younger lateral pillar C patients. Lateral pillar C patients over age 8 were more difficult to treat, however, we still advise containment for these cases because methods are now available to deal with containment failure. Triple pelvic osteotomy is an effective treatment method for LCP patients with lateral pillar B disease and younger patients with lateral pillar C disease. This method provides effective containment, which allows prolonged remodeling while avoiding the limitations of femoral varus osteotomy (limp, short limb) and Salter osteotomy (incomplete containment). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Gartland type III supracondylar humerus fractures: outcome and complications as related to operative timing and pin configuration.

PURPOSE: Supracondylar fractures of the humerus are the most common fracture of the elbow in children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate, in terms of outcomes and complications, Gartland type III pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures treated at a pediatric level-one trauma center over a 7-year period, specifically addressing the impact of time to surgery on the incidence of complications and conversion to open reduction. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 297 pediatric patients that sustained a closed Gartland type III supracondylar humerus fracture treated between December 2004 and December 2011. The time to the operating room was calculated from the medical records for each patient. The outcome measures evaluated were operative time, conversion to open procedure, and perioperative and postoperative complications. RESULTS: In our study, there were 30 complications in 25 children (8.4%). Conversion to open reduction occurred in 28 children (9.4%). The time from the emergency department to the operating room was not significantly correlated with increased complications, increased operative time, or conversion to open reduction (p > 0.05). Crossed pinning resulted in an increased risk of overall complications [odds ratio (OR) = 2.6] and iatrogenic nerve injuries (OR = 9.3). Complications also occurred more commonly in boys (OR = 3.3) and in older patients (p = 0.0069) CONCLUSIONS: We found no significant correlation between the time to surgery and complications, operative time, or need for open reduction. These findings support the trend of treating Gartland type III supracondylar humerus fractures in a less urgent manner. In addition, our study supports the concept that cross pinning leads to more complications than lateral pinning, including an 8-fold increase in iatrogenic nerve injury.