Preliminary results of two novel devices for epiphysiodesis in the reduction of excessive predicted final height in tall stature

Abstract

Background: In the treatment of tall stature, the reduction of excessive predicted final height can either be achieved by hormonal treatment or surgically by temporary (tED) or permanent (pED) epiphysiodesis. The present study evaluates the preliminary results of two novel devices for tED and pED around the knee to reduce the predicted final height. Materials and methods:A retrospective analysis was performed to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcome after bilateral epiphysiodesis for the treatment of tall stature. A cohort of 34 patients (16 girls, 18 boys) who underwent either tED or pED between 2015 and 2020 were eligible for analysis based on the electronic patient records and picture archiving and communication system of our orthopaedic teaching hospital. tED was conducted in 11 patients (32%) through bilateral implantation of four RigidTacks ™ (Merete, Berlin, Germany) around the knee. Twenty-three patients (68%) received pED, performed with an EpiStop ™ trephine (Eberle, Wurmberg, Germany). The mean overall follow-up time was 2.9 years. Results:The mean age at surgery was 12.3 years in girls and 13.2 years in boys. Patients had a mean body height of 175.2 cm in girls and 184.7 cm in boys at surgery. The mean predicted final height was 191.4 cm in girls and 210.4 cm in boys. At the last follow-up, 26 patients (76.5%) had achieved skeletal maturity. The mean height of skeletally mature patients was 187.2 cm in girls and 198.5 cm in boys. A mean reduction of the predicted final height of 5.9 cm in girls and 8.7 cm in boys was achieved, corresponding to a reduction in remaining growth of 46% in girls and 38% in boys. Secondary frontal plane deformities of the knee were detected in 5/11 patients (45.5%) in the tED group and 1/23 treatments (4.3%) in the pED group.Conclusions: tED and pED have both proven to be efficient at achieving growth inhibition to reduce excessive predicted height. However, tED has been associated with an increased risk of secondary angular deformities of the knee. Furthermore, the risk of implant-related complications and the necessity of a subsequent surgical intervention

Radiographic reference values of the central knee anatomy in 8–16-year-old children

“…Several other studies have assessed the relationship between the femoral notch-intercondylar distance and stability of the anterior cruciate ligament [26,27,[30][31][32]. Iriuchishima et al observed a higher incidence of ante- physiodesis around the knee for correction of LLD or hemi-epiphysiodesis of the distal femur or proximal tibia for correction of angular deformities [5,9,[22][23][24][25].…”

What’s new in pediatric lower limb reconstruction?

“…Definitive epiphysiodesis seems to be combined with a lesser risk for secondary angular deformity. 4 Treatment of LLD with either tension band plating (TBP) or transphyseal screws has been further investigated. TBP may have a greater risk of complications in temporary epiphysiodesis in comparison with the use of transphyseal screws.…”