Risk of Neurovascular Injury during Screw Fixation of Tibial Tubercle Fractures in Pediatric and Adolescent Patients / Risco de lesão neurovascular durante a fixação com parafuso de fraturas da tuberosidade da tíbia em pacientes pediátricos e adolescentes

Abstract Objective To review knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for the analysis of the location of neurovascular structures (NVSs), and to define the risk of bicortical fixation. Methods Distances between the posterior cortex and the popliteal NVSs were measured on the MRI scans of 45 adolescents (50 knees) at 3 levels (C1: center of the proximal tibial epiphysis; C2: 10 mm distal to the physis; and C3: 20 mm distal to the physis). The NVSs located between 5 mm and 10 mm from the incision were considered in a zone of moderate risk for damage, while those less than 5 mm from the incision were considered in a zone of high risk for damage, and those more than 10 mm from the incision were considered to be in a zone of low risk for damage. The independent Student t-test was used for the comparison of the NVS distance 0with gender, skeletal maturity, and the tibial tubercle-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance. Values of p < 0.05 were regarded as statistically significant. Results The path of the C1 screw posed an increased risk of damage to the popliteal artery and vein compared with other screw paths (p < 0.001). The popliteal artery has a high risk of damage at the level of C1 (4.2 ± 2.2mm), and a moderate risk at C2 (9.6 ± 2.4mm), and the popliteal vein has a moderate risk at C1 (6.0 ± 2.7 mm), and a low risk at C2 and C3 (10.8 ± 3.1mm, and 12.05 ± 3.1mm respectively). The C3 position presented the lowest risk of damage to these structures (p < 0.001). The distance between the posterior tibial cortex and the posterior tibial nerve was < 15 mm at the 3 levels analyzed (C1: 11.0 ± 3.7 mm; C2:13.1 ± 3.8 mm; and C3:13 ± 3.9 mm). Conclusions The present study clarifies that the popliteal vessels are at risk of injury during tibial tubercle screw fixation, particularly when drilling the proximal tibial epiphysis. Monocortical drilling and screw fixation are recommended for the surgical treatment of tibial tubercle fractures. Level of Evidence III Diagnostic study.

Resumo Objetivo Revisar estudos de ressonância magnética (RM) do joelho para análise da localização das estruturas neurovasculares (ENVs) e definição do risco de fixação bicortical. Métodos As distâncias entre o córtex posterior e as ENVs poplíteas foram medidas nas RMs de 45 adolescentes (50 joelhos) em 3 níveis (C1: centro da epífise proximal da tíbia; C2:10 mm distalmente à fise e C3: 20 mm distalmente à fise). Considerou-se que as ENVs entre 5mme10mmda incisão estavam na zona de risco moderado de lesão, as ENVs a menos de 5 mm da incisão, na zona de alto risco de lesão, e as ENVs a mais de 10 mm da incisão, na zona de baixo risco de lesão. O teste t de Student independente foi usado para comparar a distância até as ENVs com o gênero, a maturidade esquelética e a distância entre a tuberosidade tibial e a garganta (fundo) da tróclea (TT-GT). Valores de p < 0,05 foram considerados estatisticamente significativos. Resultados A trajetória do parafuso em C1 apresentou maior risco de lesão à artéria e à veia poplítea em comparação com outras trajetórias (p < 0,001). A artéria poplítea apresenta risco de lesão alto em C1 (4,2 ± 2,2 mm) e moderado em C2 (9,6 ± 2,4 mm), e a veia poplítea tem risco moderado em C1 (6,0±2,7 mm) e baixo em C2 e C3 (10,8±3,1 mm e 12,05±3,1mm, respectivamente). A posição C3 apresentou o menor risco de lesão dessas estruturas (p < 0,001). A distância entre o córtex tibial posterior e o nervo tibial posterior foi inferior a 15 mm nos 3 níveis analisados (C1: 11,0±3,7mm; C2: 13,1±3,8 mm; e C3: 13±3,9mm). Conclusões Este estudo esclarece que os vasos poplíteos correm risco de lesão durante a fixação do parafuso na tuberosidade tibial, principalmente durante a perfuração da epífise proximal da tíbia. A perfuração monocortical e a fixação com parafusos são recomendadas para o tratamento cirúrgico das fraturas da tuberosidade tibial. Nível de Evidência III Estudo diagnóstico.

Recomendaciones para el seguimiento de niños con asimetría en la longitud de los miembros inferiores: consenso de expertos / Recommendations for the follow-up of children with leg length discrepancy: expert consensus

La asimetría de la longitud de los miembros inferiores es una afección en la cual la longitud de una pierna difiere de la contralateral, motivo de consulta frecuente en el consultorio del pediatra y del ortopedista infantil. El objetivo de nuestro trabajo fue desarrollar recomendaciones de seguimiento, planificación prequirúrgica y tratamiento de niños con asimetría de la longitud de los miembros inferiores mediante el consenso de expertos. Material y métodos. Se utilizó el método Delphi. Un grupo coordinador seleccionó el panel de expertos, diseñó y analizó cada una de las rondas de consulta. Los cuestionarios semiestructurados fueron enviados por correo electrónico en forma personalizada. Se estableció como criterio de consenso un acuerdo entre los expertos > 80 %. En cada una de las rondas, se reformularon los aspectos no consensuados y se agregaron nuevos sugeridos en la ronda anterior. Se consideró como medida de estabilidad para concluir la consulta cuando más del 70 % de los expertos no modificó su opinión en rondas sucesivas. Resultados. Participaron del consenso 8 expertos en ortopedia y 6 en diagnóstico por imágenes. Luego de 3 rondas de consulta, se logró el consenso en 39 recomendaciones referentes a seguimiento, planificación prequirúrgica y tratamiento. Fueron reagrupadas en 32 recomendaciones finales. Conclusiones. Estas son las primeras recomendaciones para el seguimiento de niños con asimetría de la longitud de los miembros inferiores mediante el consenso de expertos.

Leg length discrepancy is when the length of one leg is different from the other, and is a common reason for consultation at the pediatrician's and pediatric orthopedist's office. The objective of this study was to develop recommendations for the follow-up, pre-surgical planning, and treatment of children with leg length discrepancy based on expert consensus. Material and methods. The Delphi method was used. A coordinating group selected a panel of experts, designed and analyzed each of the rounds of consultations. Semistructured questionnaires were sent by personalized e-mail. Agreement among experts ≥ 80 % was established as the criterion for consensus. At each round of consultation, non-consensual aspects were reformulated and new aspects suggested in the previous round were included. A measure of stability to conclude the consultation was determined when more than 70 % of experts sustained their opinion in successive rounds. Results. Eight experts in orthopedics and six experts in imaging studies participated. After three rounds of consultations, consensus was reached in terms of 39 recommendations for follow-up, pre-surgical planning, and treatment. These were reorganized into 32 final recommendations. Conclusions. These are the first recommendations for the follow-up of children with leg length discrepancy agreed by expert consensus.

Tratamiento del pie bot idiopático luego de la edad de la marcha: revisión sistemática de la bibliografía / Treatment of the idiopathic clubfoot after the walking age: a systematic bibliographic review

Introducción: La eficacia obtenida con el método de Ponseti en pacientes recién nacidos ha llevado a extender las indicaciones a pacientes de mayor edad. Llevamos a cabo una revisión sistemática de la bibliografía para: 1) definir el grado de comprobación científica con respecto al tratamiento del pie bot con el método de Ponseti en niños >1 año, 2) determinar el número de yesos y procedimientos asociados, 3) determinar el porcentaje de corrección y 4) identificar la tasa de complicaciones. Materiales y Métodos: Utilizando las bases de datos informáticas disponibles en Ovid, PubMed, LILACS y Cochrane Library, se recogieron todos los trabajos sobre pacientes >1 año, con tratamiento de pie bot idiopático mediante el método de Ponseti, publicados hasta el 1 de mayo de 2014. Se revisaron aquellos que cumplieran con criterios de inclusión y exclusión prestablecidos. Resultados: La muestra analizada incluyó 11 estudios con 492 pacientes. La edad promedio al iniciar el tratamiento fue de 3.8 años (rango 1-18). El seguimiento promedio fue de 31 meses. Se realizaron un número promedio de 8 yesos (rango 4-12). Se consiguió un pie plantígrado en el 75% de los casos. La tasa de complicaciones fue del 4,3%. Conclusiones: La evidencia actual en niños >1 año tratados con el método de Ponseti es de nivel IV. Si bien el uso de esta técnica requiere de un mayor número de yesos y procedimientos asociados que en el recién nacido, permite corregir la deformidad, de forma segura, en un alto porcentaje de los casos. Nivel de Evidencia: IV

Introduction: Ponseti´s method efficacy in newborns has led to widen the indications in older patients. A systematic review of the literature was performed to: 1) define the degree of scientific evidence on Ponseti´s method in children over one-year-old with clubfoot; 2) assess the number of casts and associated procedures required to accomplish full correction; 3) determine the percentage of full corrected patients; and 4) identify the rate of recurrence and complications related to this method. Methods: We retrieved from Ovid, PubMed, LILACS and Cochrane Library articles referred to Ponseti´s method in children over one-year-old published until May 1st 2014. Papers that met predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria were reviewed. Results: Eleven papers met the inclusion criteria. The sample consisted in 492 patients. Average age at the beginning of treatment was 3.8 years (range 1-18). Average follow-up was 31 months. A mean of 8 (range 4-12) casts was required to accomplish full correction. Plantigrade feet were achieved in 75%. Complication rate was 4.3%. Conclusions: Current evidence regarding Ponseti’s method for patients over one-year-old is primarily Level IV. Even though this technique requires higher number of casts and associated procedures, deformity correction is safely achieved in most patients. Level of Evidence: IV

Anatomía del ligamento patelofemoral medial / Medial patellofemoral ligament anatomy

El objetivo de este trabajo es mostrar el resultado de la disección realizada en un espécimen cadavérico fresco, de las estructuras anatómicas que conforman el sistema de estabilización medial de la rótula, poniendo especial énfasis en la descripción de Ligamento Patelofemoral Medial (LPFM), sus áreas de inserción femoral y rotuliana y la implicancia que esto tiene en el entendimiento de las nuevas técnicas quirúrgicas para el tratamiento de la inestabilidad patelofemoral.