Comparison between innominate osteotomy and arthrodistraction as a primary treatment for Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease: a prospective controlled trial

The Ambiguity of Names and Landmarks in Radiographs of the Pediatric Pelvis: Variations and a Historical Perspective

For over a century, the plain radiograph has been used to measure and predict the development of pediatric hip conditions. Classic measurements, such as the acetabular index, the center-edge angle, and the migration percentage, have stood the test of time and remain the default tools for any pediatric orthopaedic surgeons. However, in contemporary research, the terminology regarding these measurements has become markedly inconsistent. A substantial number of synonyms, acronyms, and similar, but not identical, terms are used to label measurements. This is perhaps unsurprising, considering decades of use and numerous suggested modifications. The results of treatment cannot be reliably compared if the measured parameters are not identical, and scientific analysis of disease requires consistent terminology. In this review, we aim both to provide historical definitions and identification of radiographic landmarks commonly used in three parameters of interest on pediatric AP radiographs and to examine the variability of landmarks and definitions in contemporary research.

Operative Management of Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head in Skeletally Immature Patients: A Systematic Review

Purpose: Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is common in skeletally immature patients. The management of ONFH is controversial, with limited evidence and unpredictable results. This study systematically reviewed the current operative modalities and clinical outcomes of surgical management for ONFH in skeletally immature patients. Methods: The present study was conducted according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, and Web of Science databases were accessed in October 2021. All the published clinical studies reporting data concerning the surgical management of ONFH in skeletally immature patients were included. Results: This review included 122 patients (127 hips). 38.2% (46 of 122) were female. The mean age of the patients was 14.2 ± 2.3 years. The mean duration of the follow-up was 55.3 ± 19.6 months. The Harris Hip Score improved from 68.8 ± 11.9 at baseline to 90.5 ± 6.5 at last follow-up (p < 0.0001). Femoral head collapse and secondary hip degeneration were the most common complications. Conclusion: Several surgical techniques are available and effective for the management of ONFH in skeletally immature patients. This study evidenced high heterogeneity of the surgical procedures and eligibility criteria. Further high-quality investigations are required to establish proper indications and surgical modalities.

Surgical Treatments for Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease: Comprehensive Review

Background

Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) is a common public health problem that usually occurs between the ages of 4 and 8 years, but it can occur between the ages of 2 and 15 years. This condition occurs due to the interruption of blood supply to the femoral head. Up to now, different surgical and nonsurgical treatments, including femoral varus osteotomy, innominate osteotomy, pelvic osteotomies, triple osteotomy, Chiari osteotomy, and shelf acetabuloplasty, have been suggested for noncontainable LCPD hips.

Objective

The aim of this comprehensive review was to investigate the various surgical techniques used for LCPD.

Methods

An advanced electronic search of the English-language literature was performed from October 8 to 14, 2020. The electronic databases PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, Ovid, and Google scholar were searched using appropriate search terms. A manual search of references also was performed. After retrieving the studies, duplicates were removed, and the remining studies were screened based on the title, abstract, and full text. The quality of the selected articles was assessed, and the required data were extracted from eligible articles.

Results

A total of 22 studies were included in the review. Based on the results of the reviewed studies, there are three main factors that influence the treatment outcomes in patients with Perthes disease. These factors are onset age, femoral head involvement severity, and treatment method. The disease has a poor prognosis in children over 8 years old, but this group of patients can also benefit from advanced surgical methods. In patients aged less than 6 years, the disease has a generally good prognosis, but in those aged between 6 and 8 years, its prognosis is variable. Thus, the need for surgical intervention requires close observation of signs. Once any head signs are observed, dynamic arthrography is beneficial before choosing the treatment approach.

Conclusions

This review provides clinicians with a brief guideline for the treatment of patients with LCPD.

Role of Arthrodiastasis Using Hinged Monolateral External Fixator Without Soft Tissue Release in Advanced Stage of Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

Purpose

Presentation with the advanced stage of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (LCPD) carries a poor prognosis, regardless of the treatment that the patient receives. The aims of this study are to assess the clinical and radiological outcomes of arthrodiastasis in advanced cases of LCPD using a hinged monolateral external fixator without soft tissue release and to raise safety issues regarding its low rate of complications.

Patients and Methods

Six patients with LCPD who were classified as lateral pillar types B and C and were operated on in our department were included in this retrospective study. Data collected from medical files and X-ray measurements were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

A total of six male patients were included in this analysis. The mean age at onset of symptoms was 8.5 years (range 7-10 years). The mean follow-up period was 46 months (range 40-50 months). Five cases were Herring C and one case was Herring B at presentation. The average distraction time was 8 days (range 7-9) and the average duration of external fixator application was 3.1 months (range 2.5-3.5 months). The range of motion of the hip in flexion, abduction and internal rotation were improved postoperatively. Pain score and limping were also improved. At the final follow-up, the mean sphericity deviation score was 10.6. The mean epiphyseal index was improved from 19.3% to 23.8%. In addition, the mean cervical index improved from 99.7% to 89.7% at the last follow-up. Femoral fractures, pin loosening, mechanical failure of the fixator, chondrodiastasis, and hip subluxation were not seen in this group of patients.

Conclusion

Arthrodiastasis with a hinged monolateral external fixator without soft tissue release improved both the clinical and radiological outcomes in this group of patients.

Arthrodiastasis in the management of Perthes disease: a systematic review

This systematic review explores the relevant literature to assess the efficacy of the use of arthrodiastasis in the management of Perthes disease. Until this moment, arthrodiastasis is not well established for its use in Perthes disease as opposed to other containment procedures. Furthermore, there are no clear indications for its use in this disease. Twelve articles were matched to the inclusion criteria and all articles were reviewed and radiological and clinical data were collected and compiled. As regards the hip flexion range of motion, the average preoperative flexion range of motion was 55.32°, while the postoperative was 90°. The average preoperative hip abduction range of motion was 12.28° and postoperative was 35.28°. Mean preoperative hip internal rotation range of motion was 8.69° and postoperatively was 24.93°. Mean preoperative external rotation range of motion was 21.73°, while the postoperative range was 33.71°. Final Stulberg classification was ascertained showing most patients ending with stages two and three. Complications were also assessed with most of which being superficial pin tract infections. The use of arthrodiastasis is a valid treatment option for Perthes disease; however, more articles need to be produced showing comparative data of arthrodiastasis versus other containment procedures. Level of evidence - level 1: systematic review.

Short follow-up evaluation of proximal femoral varus osteotomy for treatment of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease

BACKGROUND

There are many methods of treating Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, including operative and nonoperative methods. Femoral varus osteotomy is one of the surgical methods used to treat this disease, and it involves changing the alignment of the proximal femur to improve containment of the femoral epiphysis in the acetabulum. The aims of this study were to evaluate the results of femoral varus osteotomy for the treatment of Perthes disease according to various classification and grading schemes, as well as to compare the results to those obtained using other methods of treatment reported in the literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-three patients with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease were treated using a proximal femoral varus osteotomy procedure. The mean age of the patients was 7.8 years (range: 6-11.5 years). The average follow-up was 36.2 months (range: 29-48 months).

RESULTS

The patients were classified and graded according to the Catterall and Herring classifications. The preoperative and postoperative mean epiphyseal extrusion indices were as follows: group III (B), 10.88 % and 7.22 %, P = 0.027; group III (BC), 15.81 and 8.93 %, P = 0.005; group IV (C), 72.64 and 39.44 %, P = 0.018. The preoperative and the postoperative mean Wiberg's CE angle were as follows: group III (B), 26.88° and 37.81°, P = 0.028; group III (BC), 24.4° and 32.2°, P = 0.005; group IV (C), 20.89° and 28.41°, P = 0.018. Changes in Iowa clinical hip scores were as follows: group III (B), 54.8 to 92.33, P = 0.027; group III (BC), 47.3 to 87.8, P = 0.005; group IV (C) 34.43 to 68.29, P = 0.017. In the last follow-up, the mean limb length discrepancy after plate removal was 0.9 cm (range: 0.0-2 cm) of shortening on the operated side. The author of the present study did not see any progressive change in this parameter during the follow-up period, especially after hardware removal and in the younger boys. All of the osteotomies united within 3 months without loss of fixation.

CONCLUSION

According to the results of the present study, proximal femoral varus osteotomy gives good results in children between the ages of 6 and 10 years without any femoral head deformity and flattening, especially with good containment in abduction.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Management and treatment of osteonecrosis in children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

There is no consensus regarding how to manage osteonecrosis in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients. Therefore, we performed a quality assessment of the literature with the result of a search strategy using the MESH terms osteonecrosis, children, childhood cancer, surgery, bisphosphonates, 6 hydroxymethyl-glutaryl CoA reductase inhibitors, anticoagulants and hyperbaric oxygen, and terms related to these MESH terms. A randomized controlled trial showed that osteonecrosis can be prevented by intermittent, instead of continuous, corticosteroid administration. The studies on interventions after onset of osteonecrosis were of low-quality evidence. Seven pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia studies described non-surgical interventions; bisphosphonates (n=5), hyperbaric oxygen therapy (n=1), or prostacyclin analogs (n=1). Safety and efficacy studies are lacking. Five studies focused on surgical interventions; none was of sufficient quality to draw definite conclusions. In conclusion, preventing osteonecrosis is feasible in a proportion of the pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients by discontinuous, instead of continuous, steroid scheduling. The questions as to how to treat childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients with osteonecrosis cannot be answered as good-quality studies are lacking.