Level IV-therapeutic.

Level II therapeutic study-prospective comparative study.

Purpose: Distal femoral growth arrest can result in progressive deformities and functional disability. The treatment is challenging given the significant growth potential of the distal femoral physis. This study addresses the short-term outcomes after distal femoral physeal bar resection combined with guided growth for the treatment of angular limb deformity. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients treated with distal femoral physeal bar resection, fat graft interposition, and growth modulation with a tension-band plate. Data recorded included patient demographics, growth arrest cause, physeal bar size, time-to-surgery, details of the operative procedure, and complications. The mechanical axis zones, tibiofemoral angle, and the anatomic lateral distal femoral angle were assessed on 51-inch anteroposterior standing radiographs. Results: Five patients (3 male individuals) with valgus (n=4) and varus deformities (n=1) due to physeal arrests of the distal femur were analyzed. The cause of the physeal arrest was trauma (n=3) and infection (n=2). The average age at the time of surgery was 6.6 years (range: 2 to 11 y). Average size of the physeal bar was 413.4 mm2, which represented 16.8% of the total distal femoral physis (range: 12% to 26%). Four of the 5 patients had a total correction of the deformity in 14.3 months (range: 9 to 22 mo). One patient required correction by osteotomy and external fixation. Postoperatively, 1 patient presented no improvement, and 4 had restoration of the longitudinal bone growth and alignment. Two patients had rebound valgus: one is being observed and another has undergone a repeat guided growth procedure. Conclusions: Distal femoral physeal bar resection combined with tension-band hemiepiphysiodesis provides a viable option for the correction of angular deformities associated with physeal arrest. Longer follow-up is required to evaluate future growth of the distal femoral physis after this combined procedure. Level of Evidence: Level IV—therapeutic study.

Introducción: El diagnóstico del dedo en martillo tendinoso puede pasar desapercibido inicialmente en niños y adolescentes, esto limita las posibilidades del tratamiento conservador. El objetivo fue evaluar los resultados del tratamiento quirúrgico con la técnica de tenodermodesis en lesiones de presentación tardía. Materiales y Métodos: Se evaluó retrospectivamente a 9 pacientes (8 niños) con una edad promedio de 8.6 ± 6 años (rango 1-15). Los días promedio de evolución de la lesión eran 27±11.4 (rango 15-45). El mecanismo de lesión fue una herida cortante (4 casos) y un traumatismo indirecto (5 casos). El tratamiento consistió en tenodermodesis e inmovilización transitoria con clavija transarticular. El seguimiento promedio fue de 61 ± 34.7 meses (rango 12-106). Se evaluaron la movilidad activa y pasiva de la articulación interfalángica distal, la presencia de dolor o deformidad, la limitación de actividades de la vida diaria y la necesidad de tratamientos adicionales. Se clasificaron los resultados con los criterios de evaluación de Crawford. Resultados: En 8 pacientes, el resultado fue excelente y, en uno, regular según Crawford. Un paciente poco colaborador requirió una segunda intervención por re-rotura. En dos casos, hubo una complicación (granuloma) y requirió resección. Ningún paciente refirió dolor al final del seguimiento, ni limitaciones para las actividades de la vida diaria. Ocho presentaron extensión activa completa y uno, una deformidad residual de 20°. Conclusión: La tenodermodesis permite la reconstrucción anatómica del mecanismo extensor en niños y adolescentes. Los resultados clínicos de este estudio son alentadores en lesiones no diagnosticadas en forma temprana.Nivel de Evidencia: IV

Background: Medial epicondyle fractures represent up to 20% of elbow fractures in children and adolescents. There is a growing body of literature to support surgical fixation for displaced fractures. However, controversy regarding imaging modality for displacement measurement and surgical indications remain controversial. The purpose of this survey was to gauge Latin American surgeons’ practices and preferences for the evaluation and treatment of medial epicondyle fractures. Methods: A web-based survey containing 19 questions was distributed to active members of SLAOTI (Sociedad Latinoamericana de Ortopedia y Traumatología Infantil) in November 2018. The survey elicited information regarding surgeon demographics, evaluation methods, the factors involved in the decision to perform surgery, and their experience in cases of symptomatic nonunion. Categorical variables were summarized using frequencies and proportions. Analysis of associations between surgeon demographics and treatment preferences were carried out. Results: A total of 193 out of 354 completed questionnaires were returned (54% response rate). In total, 74% of the participants (142/193) favored radiographs for the evaluation of the fracture displacement, and 25.4% (49/193) added a computed tomography scan for a more detailed evaluation. The majority of respondents (48.2%) would consider a 5 mm displacement as the cutoff for surgical treatment, 21.8% 2 mm, 20.7% 10 mm, and 9.3% 15 mm. There were no differences between the experience of the participants, academic versus private setting, or training regarding surgical/nonsurgical management. Conclusions: There are significant differences in opinions between SLAOTI members as to the optimal management of medial epicondyle fractures. Implications of disagreement in evaluation and treatment support the need for multicenter prospective studies to develop evidence-based guidelines for the management of this fracture. Level of evidence: Level V—expert opinion. Cross-sectional electronic survey.