Twelve to Twenty-year Follow-up of Dega Acetabuloplasty in Patients With Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip: Is it as Effective as Expected?

BACKGROUND: Although Dega acetabuloplasty is widely used for the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip, there is a paucity of data on long-term outcomes. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the rate of residual acetabular dysplasia after Dega acetabuloplasty. METHODS: Patients of a previously reported consecutive series of 35 patients (43 hips) operated by a single surgeon were recontacted for long-term follow-up. Of these, 25 patients (32 hips) consented, with a follow-up rate of 71% (74% of hips). The mean age at the time of surgery was 35 (18 to 65) months. The presence of residual dysplasia was noted according to the lateral center-edge angle of Wiberg, femoral head extrusion index, and Tönnis angle. The latest radiographic outcome was evaluated according to the Severin classification and patients were clinically evaluated according to the modified McKay criteria. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration of 16.5 (12 to 20) years yielded an average age of 19.2 (14 to 23) years at the time of analysis. According to lateral center-edge angle, femoral head extrusion index, and Tönnis angle, 5 (15.6%) hips were dysplastic and 2 (6.3%) hips were reoperated for resubluxation. Thus, a total of 7 hips (21.9%) were considered to have residual dysplasia. With the exception of 2 hips that underwent further osteotomies, no other hips were re-subluxated or redislocated. Overcoverage was noted in 6 (18.7%) hips. There were 26 Severin group I and II (81.3%), 4 Severin group III (12.5%), and 2 Severin group IV (6.2%) hips. According to modified McKay criteria, 20 (62.5%) hips were excellent, 7 (21.9%) hips were good, and 5 (15.6%) were fair. Severin classification and modified McKay criteria were correlated with dysplasia ( P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Seventy-eight percent of the hips treated by Dega acetabuloplasty for developmental dysplasia of the hip did not have acetabular dysplasia at a mean follow-up of 16 years. Even in well-treated asymptomatic hips, patients should be followed regularly, especially for residual dysplasia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Risk Factors for Surgical Site Infections Following Fasciotomy in Patients With Acute Compartment Syndrome: A Study on the February 2023 Kahramanmaras Earthquake.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical site infections (SSIs) developing after fasciotomy are difficult to treat, costly, and an important source of mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to determine the risk factors affecting the development of SSI in patients who underwent fasciotomy with the diagnosis of acute compartment syndrome (ACS) within 72 hours after two consecutive earthquakes of 7.7 and 7.6 magnitude that occurred in Kahramanmaras on February 6, 2023. METHOD: A total of 116 patients were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups: those who developed SSI and those who did not. In this study, variables such as basic demographic characteristics, time of fasciotomy, center performing fasciotomy, type of wound closure, affected extremity, concomitant renal failure, hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy, blood creatine kinase (CK) level were examined. RESULTS: Of 116 patients, 58 (50%) had SSI. It was statistically observed that patients who underwent treatment with vacuum-assisted closure (VAC), those who underwent primary closure with the shoelace method, those who went into renal failure, and those whose fasciotomy was performed in an earthquake zone had a higher incidence of SSI (p<0.001). Blood CK level above 17.839 seemed to be a risk factor according to receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis (P<0.01). Age (p=0.193), gender (p=0.125), fasciotomy time (p=0.843), lower extremity (p=0.234), upper extremity (p=0.806), and HBO treatment (p=0.56) were not associated with SSI. Infection was found to be a significant risk factor for amputation (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The use of VAC as a wound closure technique for SSI after fasciotomy in patients who developed ACS due to the earthquake, the presence of renal failure in the patients, and performing fasciotomy in the earthquake zone were independent risk factors. A blood CK level above 17.839 was also determined as a risk factor, but the confidence interval was found to be low.

Examination of Upper Extremity Length Discrepancy in Patients with Obstetric Brachial Plexus Paralysis.

Since the natural course of obstetric brachial plexus palsy is variable, several problems are encountered. One important question, in considering patients with OBPP under observation in outpatient clinical settings, is whether children will have length discrepancies in their arms. The aim of this study was to determine differences in the length of the affected extremity, in comparison to the opposite upper extremity. As such, 45 patients, aged 6 months to 18 years, with unilateral brachial plexus palsy developed due to obstetric reasons, were included in the study. Affected and healthy side humerus, ulna, radius, 2nd metacarpal and 5th metacarpal lengths were evaluated according to gender, age, side, Narakas classification, primary and secondary surgery. Statistically significant differences were found in the change rates of affected/healthy humerus, radius, 2nd metacarpal and 5th metacarpal lengths according to age (93%, 95%, 92%, 90% and 90%, respectively). Affected/healthy change rates of ulna, radius, 2nd metacarpal and 5th metacarpal lengths were found to differ statistically (p < 0.05) according to the Narakas classification variable (94%, 92%, 95%, 94% and 94%, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences in the ratios of affected/healthy change in the lengths of the humerus, ulna, radius and 5th metacarpal compared to the primary surgery (p > 0.05). The ratios of affected/healthy change in ulna, radius and 5th metacarpal lengths were found to differ statistically (p < 0.05) according to secondary surgeries (93%, 91%, 91% and 92%, respectively). Joint and bone deformities and bone shortening were observed after changes that occurred in the postnatal and growing periods due to obstetric brachial plexus palsy. Every increase in function to be gained in the upper extremity musculature was also potentially able to reduce problems, such as shortness.

Graduation Protocol After Growing-Rod Treatment: Removal of Implants without New Instrumentation Is Not a Realistic Approach.

BACKGROUND: The growing rod remains an effective option in the treatment of early-onset scoliosis, and has previously been likened to an internal brace. While details of growing-rod treatment have been largely agreed on, the appropriate end point remains a matter of controversy. A decision was made in 2004, at the beginning of growing-rod treatment at our institution, to remove longitudinal instrumentation when the period of lengthening concluded and, similar to discontinuing a brace, leave the spine free. METHODS: From 2004, patients managed with a growing rod who were ≤10 years old at the time of the index surgery and had no previous surgery were enrolled in the prospective treatment pathway. For this report, the inclusion criteria were complete records and radiographs; regular lengthenings; no complications defined as SV (severity grade) IIA, IIB, III, or IV; and a minimum follow-up of 2 years after reaching the age of 14 years. At the age of 14 years, the patients were reevaluated and 1 of 3 treatments was undertaken. In Group 1, which included patients with adequate correction and no requirement for extension of fusion, the growing rods were removed. In Group 2, which included patients with inadequate correction and/or interval changes, the growing rods were removed and instrumented fusion was performed. In Group 3, which included patients with a Risser sign of 0 or who were otherwise immature, lengthening was continued. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age at the time of the index operation was 82.6 months. There were 10 patients in Group 1, 9 patients in Group 2, and 7 patients in Group 3. Of the 10 patients whose rods were removed without additional instrumentation, 9 had clinically important worsening of the deformity and required reimplantation with fusion. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the initial intention to remove the implants, allow the spine to regain motion, and observe patients when they turned 14, the results of this report reveal that only 10 of the initially included 26 patients met the criteria to do so. In 9 of these patients, the deformity worsened after removal, confirming that prolonged growing-rod treatment does not necessarily result in spontaneous, reliable fusion. Removal of spinal implants without new instrumentation is not a realistic graduation protocol following growing-rod treatment, and implants should be retained, or if extension is required, another procedure should be undertaken. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Safety of Magnetically Controlled Growing Rods in an In Vivo Animal Model.

STUDY DESIGN: Experimental animal study. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the interaction between magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGRs) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Growing rod treatment through serial operations results in adverse effects on the patient and high treatment costs. MCGRs can be lengthened noninvasively in an outpatient setting and with lower treatment costs. When MRI investigation is required, the interaction between MCGRs and MRI is an issue of concern in patients with MCGRs. This study investigated MRI compatibility of MCGRs in an in vivo setting. METHODS: The study was conducted on three sheep. A standard posterior approach was used. One polyaxial pedicle screw at the ends was placed. Two sheep were instrumented unilaterally and one bilaterally with MCGRs. Temperature change was measured using MR-compatible sensors. Thoracic and lumbar MRIs were obtained using a 0.3 T MRI unit. MRI waves were applied for 45 minutes and temperature changes were recorded every 3 minutes. The lengths of the MCGRs were measured and anteroposterior and lateral spine radiographs were obtained pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: No displacement in the positions of the MCGRs occurred. The lengths of the MCGRs did not change compared with the preoperative length. The ability of the MCGRs to elongate was not impaired after MRI scanning. There was a mean increase in the temperature of the MCGRs by 1.45°C (0.5-2.4°C). The MCGRs had a strong scattering effect on MRI of the related segments. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that lower magnet MRI is safe in an animal model with MCGRs, with no displacement of the rods and no changes in their length, no significant heating, and no adverse effects on the lengthening mechanism but with a significant scattering effect on visualization of the surrounding tissues. Further investigations are needed to clarify the exact distance where an MRI investigation of distant organs may be done without scattering. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A.