Results after treatment of congenital radioulnar synostosis: a systematic review and pooled data analysis.

Congenital radioulnar synostosis (CRUS) is one of the most common congenital disorders affecting the elbow and forearm, with the forearm being fixed in a range of positions usually varying from neutral rotation to severe pronation. The aim of this study, apart from a systematic review of all surgical procedures described for CRUS, is to derive any correlation between various influencing factors, outcomes and complications. This review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses format by an electronic literature search of Ovid, MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library databases. Grading was according to the Newcastle-Ottawa scale and the Modified Coleman Methodology Score. Demographic data, surgical procedures, outcomes and complications were analyzed. Outcome data were pooled to establish means and ranges across all studies. Spearman correlations were performed. A total of 23 articles, showing a poor overall study quality (all Level of Evidence IV), met the inclusion criteria. A total of 374 forearms with a mean age of 6.7 years (2.0-18.8) were analyzed. Derotational surgeries were more commonly performed (91%) than motion-preserving surgeries (9%). The mean deformity improved from 64.8° pronation (-75° to 110°) to a mean of 2.8° pronation (-50° to 80°). In total, 17.9% of patients presented with complications. A significant correlation was noted between age and major complications, proximal osteotomies and complications, and postoperative loss of reduction and double level osteotomies as the primary treatment modality. Most of the complications occurred above the threshold of 65-70° of correction and in children 7 years and above. Surgery is essential to improve the quality of life of children with CRUS. However, each type of surgery is associated with complications, along with the respective hardware being used in rotation osteotomies. Caution is, nevertheless, warranted in interpreting these results in view of the inherent limitations of the included studies.

Complications during the treatment of missed Monteggia fractures with unilateral external fixation: a report on 20 patients in a 10-year period in a tertiary referral center.

The treatment of a missed Monteggia (MM) fracture dislocation is still controversial. We describe our initial experience with ulnar osteotomy and progressive correction with unilateral external fixator in MM. We retrospectively evaluated 20 children undergoing ulnar osteotomy and progressive distraction angulation by unilateral external fixator to treat MM. Nine patients had closed reduction, whereas 11 patients had simultaneous open reduction, repair, or reconstruction of the annular ligament and K-wire stabilization of the radiocapitellar joint. Patients were followed for an average of 3 (1-11) years. Three children developed aseptic nonunion and one child had delayed union. A distal level of the osteotomy significantly increased the rate of nonunion or delayed union. At the final follow-up, eight children had complete reduction of the radial head, six children had partial reduction, whereas in six cases, the radial head remained dislocated. The angulation and the level of the osteotomy significantly influenced the relocation, whereas the open reduction had no significant effect on the final position of the radial head. At the final follow-up, the Kim's score averaged 93.25. The flexion-extension arc significantly improved postoperatively, and it was positively correlated with the angulation. The ulnar osteotomy and progressive traction-angulation by unilateral external fixator can achieve satisfactory results in MM, if a meticulous surgical technique is applied; care must be taken regarding the level of osteotomy and the progressive traction-angulation.

Long-term Results of Combined Epiphysiodesis and Imhauser Intertrochanteric Osteotomy in SCFE: A Retrospective Study on 53 Hips.

BACKGROUND: The management of moderate and severe slipped capital femoral epiphysis is still an issue. The main concern is represented by the choice of an intra-articular or an extra-articular osteotomy to correct the deformity. Theoretically, the intra-articular osteotomy allows the best correction, but it is technically demanding and involves a higher risk of avascular necrosis (AVN); conversely, an extra-articular intertrochanteric osteotomy (ITO) is easier and involves a lower risk of early complications, but may lead to femoroacetabular impingement, resulting in early osteoarthritis and the need for total hip replacement (THR).The aim of this study was to analyze the long-term survivorship free from THR after combined epiphysiodesis and Imhauser ITO. METHODS: From 1975 to 2000, 45 patients (53 hips) underwent a combined epiphysiodesis and Imhauser ITO. There were 27 male and 18 female patients with an average age of 12.8±1.9 years. All cases showed a posterior sloping angle >40 degrees (mean, 69±16 degrees). The cumulative survivorship was determined according to Kaplan and Meier, with the end point defined as conversion to THR. RESULTS: A total of 6 patients (6 hips; 11%) had a follow-up <2 years. Among them, no postoperative complications occurred. For the remaining 39 patients (47 hips, 89%), the mean follow-up was 21±11 years. Four early postoperative complications were reported (2 AVN, 2 chondrolysis). The cumulative 39 years' survivorship free from THR was 68.5% (95% confidence interval, 42.4%-84.7%). The age at surgery (hazard ratio=1.849 per year older, P=0.017) and the postoperative onset of AVN or chondrolysis (hazard ratio=10.146, P=0.010) affected the long-term prognosis significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The combined epiphysiodesis and Imhauser ITO is a valid surgical option in moderate to severe slipped capital femoral epiphysis, preserving the natural hip for at least 39 years in the majority of the patients. Care must be taken to avoid AVN or chondrolysis. The age at surgery affects the prognosis negatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-a retrospective study.

Outcomes after surgical treatment of missed Monteggia fractures in children.

BACKGROUND: Chronic dislocation of the radial head treatment in Monteggia fracture dislocation is still controversial. We present a large series of patients treated in our Institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The outcome of 22 children treated surgically between 1988 and 2011 for post-traumatic chronic radial head dislocation is reported. There were 12 girls and 10 boys with a mean age at surgery of 7.2 years (4.1-13.6). The mean interval between injury and treatment was 15.7 months (1-128). Nine patients underwent open reduction with removal of interposed tissue and repair (7) or Bell-Tawse reconstruction (2) of the annular ligament. Ten patients underwent osteotomy, gradual lengthening and angulation of the ulna by external fixation. Two patients underwent angular osteotomy of the proximal ulna with open wedge, open reduction in the radial head and reconstruction of the annular ligament. One patient admitted to the hospital 10 years after injury underwent radial head excision at 13.7 years of age. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 5.5 years (1-24.3), the radial head stayed reduced in 15 patients and subluxated in 5. In one case, redislocation occurred. All patients but five were pain-free. The elbow performance score (Kim score) was excellent in 14 cases, good in four and fair in four, with a mean score of 91, corresponding to a good result. Complications included a transient posterior interosseus nerve palsy (1), and one non-union of the ulna. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Chronic Monteggia lesions must be treated. The clinical outcomes are usually better than the congruency of the radiocapitellar joint.