The aim of this retrospective multicentre study was to report the continued occurrence of compartment syndrome secondary to paediatric supracondylar humeral fractures in the period 1995 to 2005. The inclusion criteria were children with a closed, low-energy supracondylar fracture with no associated fractures or vascular compromise, who subsequently developed compartment syndrome. There were 11 patients (seven girls and four boys) identified from eight hospitals in three countries. Ten patients with severe elbow swelling documented at presentation had a mean delay before surgery of 22 hours (6 to 64). One patient without severe swelling documented at presentation suffered arterial entrapment following reduction, with a subsequent compartment syndrome requiring fasciotomy 25 hours after the index procedure. This series is noteworthy, as all patients had low-energy injuries and presented with an intact radial pulse. Significant swelling at presentation and delay in fracture reduction may be important warning signs for the development of a compartment syndrome in children with supracondylar fractures of the humerus

To evaluate effectiveness and safety of acute ulnar lengthening osteotomy in Madelung's deformity associated with Hereditary Multiple Exostoses (HME). Seventeen ulnas in 13 patients had acute ulnar lengthening for HME associated forearm deformity. Defined radiographic parameters were compared pre- and post-operatively using student's t-test; ulnar variance, carpal slip, radial bowing, radial articular angle. All complications were noted. Mean follow-up was 27 months (range 1.5 – 72months). An increase in ulna length by a mean of 15.4mm (range 4.5 – 29.3mm) was achieved acutely, corresponding to an increase of 9.3% of total ulnar length. Negative ulnar variance was improved from a pre-operative mean of 12.4mm (range 6.1–16.5mm) to a post-operative mean of 4.6mm (range 0–11.25mm) (p=<0.00001). Carpal slip was significantly improved by a mean of 2.2mm (p=0.02). No significant change in radial bowing (p=0.98) or radial articular angle (p=0.74) was observed. Inter-rater reliability was excellent (r=0.96, Pearson Correlation). Three patients required second procedures for recurrence of deformity at 18 months – 6 years following their primary operation. There were no incidences of compartment syndrome, neurovascular injury nor infection. One ulna fractured intra-operatively requiring a longer plate. One patient had a non union which united on revision surgery. Significant radiographic improvements in forearm and wrist alignment were seen with acute ulnar lengthening. The procedure is safe, with no compartment syndrome nor neurovascular injury and low complications rate. Recurrence rates in the skeletally immature patients are comparable to that reported with gradual lengthening. Acute ulnar lengthening for forearm deformity associated with HME has been demonstrated to be a safe, reproducible and effective surgical procedure

In five children, six forearms with a fixed pronation deformity secondary to congenital radioulnar synostosis were treated by a derotation osteotomy of the distal radius and the midshaft of the ulna. There were three boys and two girls with a mean age of 4.9 years (3.5 to 8.25) who were followed up for a mean of 29 months (18 to 43). The position of the forearm was improved from a mean pronation deformity of 68° (40° to 80°) to a pre-planned position of 10° of supination in all cases. Bony union was achieved by 6.3 weeks with no loss of correction. There was one major complication involving a distal radial osteotomy which required exploration for a possible compartment syndrome

We present the results of 90 consecutive children with displaced fractures of the forearm treated by elastic stable intramedullary nailing with a mean follow-up of 6.6 months (2.0 to 17.6). Eight (9%) had open fractures and 77 (86%) had sustained a fracture of both bones. The operations were performed by orthopaedic trainees in 78 patients (86%). All fractures healed at a mean of 2.9 months (1.1 to 8.7). There was one case of delayed union of an ulnar fracture. An excellent or good functional outcome was achieved in 76 patients (84%). There was no statistical difference detected when the grade of operating surgeon, age of the patient and the diaphyseal level of the fracture were correlated with the outcome. A limited open reduction was required in 40 fractures (44%). Complications included seven cases of problematic wounds, two transient palsies of the superficial radial nerve and one case each of malunion and a post-operative compartment syndrome. At final follow-up, all children were pain-free and without limitation of sport and play activities. Our findings indicate that the functional outcome following paediatric fractures of the forearm treated by elastic stable intramedullary nailing is good, without the need for anatomical restoration of the radial bow

The study describes a technique of tibial autograft to augment posterior instrumented spinal fusion in a population of paediatric patients with severe idiopathic, neuromuscular or syndromic scoliosis who are at a higher risk of postoperative pseudarthrosis and reports patient outcomes in terms of union rate, donor site morbidity and cost. Patients were identified from a review of waiting list and operating room records between 2007–2014. Surgery was performed by the senior author. Information on patient demographics, underlying diagnosis, age at surgery, revision surgery and length of follow-up was obtained from clinic notes. Parents of children were followed up with a structured telephone questionnaire regarding ambulatory status, post-operative pain, infection, further surgery and general satisfaction. Four hundred and nine patients underwent posterior instrumented spinal fusion, during the study period. Forty-two patients’ fusions were augmented with tibial graft, 40 of whom participated in the study. There were no cases of donor site infection, compartment syndrome, tibial fracture or perioperative mortality. In 85% of cases leg pain had resolved within 6 weeks, and 100% within 6 months of surgery. There were 6 cases of revision spinal surgery, 3 for infection, 2 for sacroiliac screw removal and 1 for sacroiliac screw revision. There were no clinical cases of spinal pseudarthrosis in this series. All parents were satisfied by the clinical outcome of both the tibial and spinal surgeries. Spinal fusion utilising tibial autograft is advocated as a simple, safe and cost-effective method of providing significant structural autograft to support fusion for a population of patients with high risk of junctional pseudarthrosis. With the exception of transient post-operative pain, the procedure was without any serious donor site morbidity. The outcomes of this study were as expected and in keeping with previous reports

We treated 22 children with a supracondylar fracture of the humerus and an ipsilateral fracture of the forearm by closed reduction and percutaneous fixation. There were four Gartland type-II and 18 Gartland type-III supracondylar fractures of the humerus. There were fractures of both bones of the forearm in 16 and of the radius in six. Both the supracondylar and the distal forearm fractures were treated by closed reduction and percutaneous fixation. The mean follow-up time was 38.6 months. At the latest follow-up there were 21 excellent or good results and one fair result. There were no cases of delayed union, nonunion or malunion. Five nerve injuries were diagnosed on admission and all recovered spontaneously within eight weeks. No patient developed a compartment syndrome

Aim. Vascular compromise following supracondylar fractures is frequently described. Near Infra-red Spectrometry (NIRS) is a technique through which real-time data can be gathered non-invasively on the oxygenation status of tissues. The drive now is to gain knowledge on how NIRS data can be interpreted and to validate its use in the clinical setting. Methods. This ethically approved prospective study looks at volar forearm compartment oxygen saturation (StO2) in 20 patients with supracondylar fractures requiring operative intervention. Both the injured limb and the contra-lateral, uninjured limb were monitored. 20 patients from a cohort of 29 had full data sets and are thus presented. Results. 12 patients were neurovascularly intact. Eight patients showed some neurovascular compromise. There was no difference (P=0.3475) between the StO2 of the injured and non-injured arms of the neurovascularly intact patients. Of the eight arms with an altered neurovascular status, four were pink and pulseless. We encountered no compartment syndromes in this series. Comparing the StO2 from the neurovascularly altered limbs (mean 66.84% range 45.43–89.53% SD 15.90) and the neurovascularly intact limbs (mean 81.62% range 64.21–98.89% SD 9.523) there was a significant difference (P=0.039). There was quick return to normal values after operation in those that were operated upon to release neurovascular compression. An improvement of 13.44% ± 8.769. Conclusion. NIRS data is shown to be valid in this model. Further studies are needed to delineate the normal values for StO2 and further investigate the indications for intervention. NIRS measurements of muscle tissue oxygenation can identify patients with clinical neurovascular compromise, and can identify the return of adequate perfusion following operative correction of supracondylar fractures. NIRS based tissue oxygenation monitoring may be a useful adjunct to clinical assessment, particularly in paediatric patients and those with altered consciousness

We report the results of a retrospective review of patients that underwent distal tibial deformity correction with transphyseal or supramalleolar osteotomy with or without tibial lengthening. The aims of the procedures performed were to obtain equal leg length, restore the alignment of the ankle joint and tibio—fibular relationship. Supramalleolar osteotomy enables deformity correction, can be combined with lengthening and is appropriate where the tibio—fibular relationship is normal. When the tibio—fibular relationship is abnormal, as is often the case with bone dysplasias, differential tibio—fibular lengthening can be performed. If physeal arrest has occurred, for example after sepsis, deformity correction can be achieved with a transphyseal osteotomy allowing correction and ensuring epiphysiodesis. When the fibular length is excessive, transphyseal osteotomy can be combined with a fibular shortening. Our review encompassed 12 patients over a period of 10 years with 5 having deformity after previous meningococcal septicaemia, 4 with fibular hemimelia, 2 with a history of previous trauma and 1 with deformity occurring after a compartment syndrome as a consequence of snake bite. Seven transphyseal osteotomies were performed in 5 patients (2 bilateral), 4 with deformity secondary to meningococcal septicaemia and 1 with deformity secondary to previous trauma. After 1 transphyseal osteotomy there was recurrent distal tibial deformity (14%) which occurred within 1 year requiring a later supramalleolar dome osteotomy. Of the other 6 transphyseal osteotomies all healed with no residual leg—length inequality or deformity. Seven patients underwent supramalleolar osteotomies with all healing and recurrent deformity occurring in 1 patient (14%). Future lengthening is required in 2 patients and 1 patient will undergo a subtalar joint arthrodesis for a painful valgus hindfoot. Distal tibial deformity correction is challenging but our results show that providing the stated principles are adhered to, successful management with an acceptable recurrent deformity rate is possible

Statement of purpose of study: To determine how effective Flexible Intramedullary Nails are in treating tibial and femoral fractures in adolescents. Summary of Methods used: Retrospective review of consecutive adolescent patients treated over a seven year period with Flexible Intramedullary Nails for tibial and femoral fractures. Statement of Conclusion: We conclude that the higher than expected rates of malunion and delayed union suggest that other treatments should be considered when treating adolescents with unstable tibial or femoral fractures. Introduction Flexible intramedullary nails (FIN) are increasingly used in the management of paediatric tibial and femoral fractures. Recently, concerns have been raised regarding the use of FIN in older children. The aim of this study was to determine how effective FIN's are in treating tibial and femoral fractures in adolescents. Methods Hospital records were used to identify all patients aged 11 years or older under going FIN for tibial and femoral fractures between 2003 and 2009. Radiographs and case notes were reviewed to identify complications. Results 35 consecutive adolescent patients underwent FIN for tibial (n=21) and femoral fractures (n=15) with a mean age of 12.9 years. 2 femoral and 9 tibial fractures were open. Eight patients sustained multiple injuries. Mean radiographic follow up was 29 weeks. 60% (n=9) and 38% (n=9) of femoral and tibial fractures respectively malunited. Fracture severity was associated with increased malunion for both tibial and femoral fractures (P=0.046 and P=0.044 respectively). There were no cases of non-union. 2 femoral fractures took longer than 20 weeks to unite and 7 tibial fractures took longer than 16 weeks to unite. One patient developed post operative compartment syndrome, one patient developed deep infection and two patients were treated with post operative traction for loss of fracture position. Discussion Previous publications from multiple centres, including ours, have demonstrated excellent results of FIN for tibial and femoral fractures in the general paediatric population. However, concerns have recently been raised about the use of FIN in older, heavier children and with unstable fracture patterns. This is the first published series of adolescent patients undergoing FIN. We conclude that the higher than expected rates of malunion and delayed union suggest that other treatments should be considered when treating adolescents with unstable tibial or femoral fractures

We have reviewed, retrospectively, all children with a lower limb deformity who underwent an acute correction and lengthening with a monolateral fixator between 1987 and 1996. The patients were all under the age of 19 years and had a minimum follow-up of eight months after removal of the fixator. A total of 41 children had 57 corrections and lengthening. Their mean age was 11.3 years (3.2 to 18.7) and there were 23 girls and 18 boys. The mean maximum correction in any one plane was 23° (7 to 45). In 41 bony segments (either femur or tibia) a uniplanar correction was made while various combinations were carried out in 16. The site of the osteotomy was predominantly diaphyseal, at a mean of 47% (17% to 73%) of the total bone length and the mean length gained was 6.4 cm (1.0 to 17.0). Univariate analysis identified a moderately strong relationship between the bone healing index (BHI), length gained, maximum correction and grade-II to grade-III complications. For logistic regression analysis the patients were binary coded into two groups; those with a good outcome (BHI ≤ 45 days/cm) and those with a poor outcome (BHI > 45 days/cm). Various factors which may influence the outcome were then analysed by calculating odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. This analysis suggested a dose response between increasing angular correction and poor BHI which only reached statistical significance for corrections of larger magnitude. Longer lengthenings were associated with a better BHI while age and the actual bone lengthened had little effect. Those patients with a maximum angulatory correction of less than 30° in any one plane had an acceptable consolidation time with few major complications. The technique is suitable for femoral deformity and shortening, but should be used with care in the tibia since the risk of a compartment syndrome or neurapraxia is much greater

Aims

Open tibial fractures are limb-threatening injuries. While limb loss is rare in children, deep infection and nonunion rates of up to 15% and 8% are reported, respectively. We manage these injuries in a similar manner to those in adults, with a combined orthoplastic approach, often involving the use of vascularised free flaps. We report the orthopaedic and plastic surgical outcomes of a consecutive series of patients over a five-year period, which includes the largest cohort of free flaps for trauma in children to date.

Aims

The aim of this study was to report the clinical, functional and radiological outcomes of children and adolescents with tibial fractures treated using the Ilizarov method.

Compartment pressures have not previously been studied in healthy children. We compared the pressures in the four lower leg compartments of healthy children with those of healthy adults.

We included patients aged between two months and six years, and measured the pressures in 80 compartments of 20 healthy children using simple needle manometry. Measurements were repeated in a control group of 20 healthy adults.

The mean compartment pressure in the lower leg in children was significantly higher than in adults (p < 0.001). On average, pressures in the four compartments varied between 13.3 mmHg and 16.6 mmHg in the children and between 5.2 mmHg and 9.7 mmHg in the adults. The latter is in accordance with those recorded in the literature. The mean arterial pressure did not relate to age or to pressure in the compartment.

The findings of this study that the normal compartment pressure of the lower leg in healthy children is significantly higher than that in adults may be of considerable significance in clinical decision-making in children of this age.

A retrospective study was performed in 100 children aged between two and 16 years, with a dorsally angulated stable fracture of the distal radius or forearm, who were treated with manipulation in the emergency department (ED) using intranasal diamorphine and 50% oxygen and nitrous oxide. Pre- and post-manipulation radiographs, the final radiographs and the clinical notes were reviewed. A successful reduction was achieved in 90 fractures (90%) and only three children (3%) required remanipulation and Kirschner wire fixation or internal fixation.

The use of Entonox and intranasal diamorphine is safe and effective for the closed reduction of a stable paediatric fracture of the distal radius and forearm in the ED.

By facilitating discharge on the same day, there is a substantial cost benefit to families and the NHS and we recommend this method.

Take home message: Simple easily reducible fractures of the distal radius and forearm in children can be successfully and safely treated in the ED using this approach, thus avoiding theatre admission and costly hospital stay.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;97-B:131–6.

The use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) for the treatment of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia has been investigated in only one previous study, with promising results. The aim of this study was to determine whether rhBMP-2 might improve the outcome of this disorder. We reviewed the medical records of five patients with a mean age of 7.4 years (2.3 to 21) with congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia who had been treated with rhBMP-2 and intramedullary rodding. Ilizarov external fixation was also used in four of these patients. Radiological union of the pseudarthrosis was evident in all of them at a mean of 3.5 months (3.2 to 4) post-operatively. The Ilizarov device was removed after a mean of 4.2 months (3.0 to 5.3). These results indicate that treatment of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia using rhBMP-2 in combination with intramedullary stabilisation and Ilizarov external fixation may improve the initial rate of union and reduce the time to union.

Further studies with more patients and longer follow-up are necessary to determine whether this surgial procedure may significantly enhance the outcome of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia, considering the refracture rate (two of five patients) in this small case series.

Type BI rotationplasty is currently indicated for children with tumours of the proximal femur whereas type BIIIa rotationplasty is reserved for those in which the entire femur has to be removed. Our aim was to compare these two types of rotationplasty and determine whether the knee should be preserved in children with tumours of the proximal femur. We compared the post-operative complications, oncological outcome, range of movement, Enneking score and radiographs of six children, who had undergone type BI rotationplasty with those of 12 who had undergone type BIIIa rotationplasty.

Patients with type BI rotationplasty had a mean Enneking score of 21.6 compared with 24.4 in those with type BIIIa rotationplasty, and worse mean results in all of the parameters investigated. We conclude that type BI rotationplasty has a worse functional outcome and more complications than type BIIIa rotationplasty in children under the age of ten years.

The management of children’s fractures has evolved as a result of better health education, changes in lifestyle, improved implant technology and the changing expectations of society. This review focuses on the changes seen in paediatric fractures, including epidemiology, the increasing problems of obesity, the mechanisms of injury, non-accidental injuries and litigation. We also examine the changes in the management of fractures at three specific sites: the supracondylar humerus, femoral shaft and forearm. There has been an increasing trend towards surgical stabilisation of these fractures. The reasons for this are multifactorial, including societal expectations of a perfect result and reduced hospital stay. Reduced hospital stay is beneficial to the social, educational and psychological needs of the child and beneficial to society as a whole, due to reduced costs.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015; 97-B:442–8.

Flexible intramedullary nailing is gaining popularity as an effective method of treating long-bone fractures in children.

We retrospectively reviewed the records and radiographs of 56 unstable fractures of the tibia in 54 children treated between March 1997 and May 2005. All were followed up for at least two months after the removal of the nails.

Of the 56 tibial fractures, 13 were open. There were no nonunions. The mean time to clinical and radiological union was ten weeks. Complications included residual angulation of the tibia, leg-length discrepancy, deep infection and failures of fixation. All achieved an excellent functional outcome.

We conclude that flexible intramedullary fixation is an easy and effective method of management of both open and closed unstable fractures of the tibia in children.

A small proportion of children with Gartland type III supracondylar humeral fracture (SCHF) experience troubling limited or delayed recovery after operative treatment. We hypothesised that the fracture level relative to the isthmus of the humerus would affect the outcome.

We retrospectively reviewed 230 children who underwent closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP) for their Gartland type III SCHFs between March 2003 and December 2012. There were 144 boys and 86 girls, with the mean age of six years (1.1 to 15.2). The clinico-radiological characteristics and surgical outcomes (recovery of the elbow range of movement, post-operative angulation, and the final Flynn grade) were recorded. Multivariate analysis was employed to identify prognostic factors that influenced outcome, including fracture level. Multivariate analysis revealed that a fracture below the humeral isthmus was significantly associated with poor prognosis in terms of the range of elbow movement (p < 0.001), angulation (p = 0.001) and Flynn grade (p = 0.003). Age over ten years was also a poor prognostic factor for recovery of the range of elbow movement (p = 0.027).

This is the first study demonstrating a subclassification system of Gartland III fractures with prognostic significance. This will guide surgeons in peri-operative planning and counselling as well as directing future research aimed at improving outcomes.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:134–40.

We examined differences in the rate of open reduction, operating time, length of hospital stay and outcome between two groups of children with displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus who underwent surgery either within 12 hours of the injury or later.

There were 77 children with type-3 supracondylar fractures. Of these, in 43 the fracture was reduced and pinned within 12 hours and in 34 more than 12 hours after injury. Both groups were similar in regard to gender, age and length of follow-up. Bivariate and logistical regression analysis showed no statistical difference between the groups. The number of peri-operative complications was low and did not affect the outcome regardless of the timing of treatment.

Our study confirmed that the treatment of uncomplicated displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus can be early or delayed. In these circumstances operations at night can be avoided.