Jaysson T. Brooks

What's New in the Management of Neuromuscular Scoliosis.

Background: Patients with neuromuscular scoliosis (NMS) can pose treatment challenges related to medical comorbidities and altered spinopelvic anatomy. We reviewed the recent literature regarding evaluation and management of NMS patients and explored areas where further research is needed. Methods: We searched the PubMed database for all papers related to the treatment of NMS published from January 1, 2011 through July 31, 2014, yielding 70 papers. Results: A total of 39 papers contributed compelling new findings. Steroid treatment has been most promising in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, leading to a significantly lower death rate, better pulmonary function, and longer independent ambulation. Growing rods in early-onset NMS were shown to result in significant improvements in major Cobb angles and pelvic obliquity, with low complication rates in patients with spinal muscular atrophy but high infection rates in those with cerebral palsy. Early reports of magnetic growing rods in NMS patients are favorable. Intraoperative neural monitoring is variable in this patient population; however, use of transcranial motor-evoked potentials in NMS patients seems to be safe. Blood loss is the highest in NMS patients when compared with all other diagnostic categories. However, tranexamic acid seems to significantly lower intraoperative blood loss. In a multicenter study, patients diagnosed with NMS had the highest surgical-site infection rate at 13.1%. Best-practice guidelines have been created regarding prevention of infection in NMS patients. Preoperative nutritional optimization and postoperative nutritional supplementation seem to help with lowering the infection rate in these patients. Conclusions: There have been major advances in the management of NMS patients, but many challenges remain. Further multicenter studies and randomized clinical trials are needed, particularly in the areas of infection prophylaxis, nutritional optimization, improvement in intraoperative neural monitoring, and prevention of proximal junctional kyphosis. Level of Evidence: Level 4—literature review.

Low Prevalence of Anterior and Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries in Patients With Achondroplasia.

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries and their subsequent reconstructions are common in the general population, but there has been no research regarding ACL or PCL injuries in patients with achondroplasia, the most common skeletal dysplasia. Our goals were to (1) evaluate the prevalence of ACL and PCL injuries in adolescents and adults with achondroplasia, (2) compare this prevalence with that reported for the general population, (3) determine how many patients with ACL or PCL injuries underwent ligament reconstruction as treatment, and (4) determine patient activity levels as they relate to the rate of ACL/PCL injuries and reconstructions. Methods: We reviewed medical records of 430 patients with achondroplasia seen in the senior author’s clinic from 2002 through 2014. Demographic data were reviewed, as well as any documentation of ACL or PCL injury or reconstruction. We called all 430 patients by telephone, and 148 agreed to participate in our survey, whereas 1 declined. We asked these patients about their history of ACL or PCL injury or reconstruction, as well as current and past physical activity levels. Results: No ACL or PCL injuries were found on chart review. One patient reached by telephone reported an ACL injury that did not require reconstruction. This yielded a theoretical prevalence of 3/430 (0.7%). Of the 148 patients surveyed, 43 (29%) reported low physical activity, 75 (51%) reported moderate physical activity, and 26 (17%) reported high physical activity. There was no significant difference in the rate of ACL injury when stratified by physical activity level (P=0.102). Conclusions: ACL and PCL injuries and reconstructions are extremely rare in patients with achondroplasia, which cannot be completely ascribed to a low level of physical activity. One possible explanation is that patients with achondroplasia, on an average, have a more anterior tibial slope compared with those without achondroplasia, which decreases the force generated within the ACL and may protect against ACL injury. Further research is needed to explore possible causes. Level of Evidence: Level IV—retrospective review.

Comparison of outcomes of hand-assisted laparoscopic to open donor nephrectomy for pediatric recipients.

The purpose of this study is to compare the outcome of pediatric recipients of kidneys procured using a hand‐assisted laparoscopic (HALDN group) to an open technique (ODN group). Twenty‐eight patients ≤18 yr old (HALDN group) were compared with 17 patients (ODN group). The serum creatinine for HALDN and ODN groups at discharge were 0.93 ± 0.48 and 0.94 ± 0.54 mg/dL (p = 0.917), respectively. The serum creatinine for HALDN and ODN groups at six and 12 months was 1.01 ± 0.44 and 1.11 ± 0.55, and 1.04 ± 0.52 and 1.14 ± 0.46 mg/dL (p = 0.516, p = 0.554), respectively. The eGFR for HALDN and ODN groups at discharge was 108.66 ± 37.23 and 106.1 ± 50.55 mL/min/1.73 m2 (p = 0.845), respectively. The eGFR for HALDN and ODN groups at six and 12 months was 97.77 ± 28.25 and 81.73 ± 27.46, and 94.56 ± 28.3 and 85.74 ± 30.1 mL/min/1.73 m2 (p = 0.085, p = 0.344), respectively. The patient and graft survival for both groups were 100% at 12 months post‐transplant. In conclusion, the short‐term outcome of recipients of kidneys procured via HALDN is comparable to that of kidneys procured via ODN in pediatric patients.

The Tibial Slope in Patients With Achondroplasia: Its Characterization and Possible Role in Genu Recurvatum Development.

Background: Genu recurvatum, a posterior resting position of the knee, is a common lower extremity deformity in patients with achondroplasia and has been thought to be secondary to ligamentous laxity. To the best of our knowledge, the role of the tibial slope has not been investigated, and no studies describe the tibial slope in patients with achondroplasia. Our goals were to characterize the tibial slope in children and adults with achondroplasia, explore its possible role in the development of genu recurvatum, and compare the tibial slope in patients with achondroplasia to that in the general population. Methods: We reviewed 252 lateral knee radiographs of 130 patients with achondroplasia seen at our clinic from November 2007 through September 2013. Patients were excluded if they had previous lower extremity surgery or radiographs with extreme rotation. We analyzed patient demographics and, on all radiographs, the tibial slope. We then compared the mean tibial slope to norms in the literature. Tibial slopes >90 degrees had an anterior tibial slope and received a positive prefix. Statistical analysis included intraclass and interclass reliability, Pearson correlation coefficient, and the Student t tests (significance, P<0.05). Results: The overall mean tibial slope for the 252 knees was +1.32±7 degrees, which was significantly more anterior than the normal slopes reported in the literature for adults (7.2 to 10.7 degrees, P=0.0001) and children (10 to 11 degrees, P=0.0001). The Pearson correlation coefficient for mean tibial slope and age showed negative correlations of −0.4011 and −0.4335 for left and right knees, respectively. This anterior tibial slope produces proximal and posterior vector force components, which may shift the knee posteriorly in weightbearing. Conclusions: The mean tibial slope is significantly more anterior in patients with achondroplasia than in the general population; however, this difference diminishes as patients’ age. An anterior tibial slope may predispose to a more posterior resting knee position, also known as genu recurvatum. Level of Evidence: Level IV—retrospective case series.

Nonoperative Treatment of a Completely Displaced Pediatric Type-I Open Fracture of the Proximal Part of the Humerus: A Case Report

Case:Most pediatric closed fractures of the proximal part of the humerus are treated nonoperatively. However, with open fractures of the proximal part of the humerus, nonoperative treatment typically is not indicated, and no such cases previously have been reported in the literature. We describe a 10-year-old boy with a completely displaced type-I open fracture of the proximal part of the humerus who was treated definitively in the emergency department with local irrigation and debridement, antibiotics, and the application of a hanging arm cast. One year later, he had complete radiographic union, no infectious sequelae, and no functional impairment of the shoulder. Conclusion:Nonoperative treatment of a pediatric type-I open fracture of the proximal part of the humerus can be successful.

Sacral alar iliac fixation for spine deformity

Introduction As the anatomy of the lumbosacral junction presents a unique challenge for the spine surgeon with regard to achieving a solid fusion, we describe the sacral alar iliac (SAI) technique, which can be used for the placement of pelvic anchors during posterior spinal arthrodesis. Indications & Contraindications Step 1 Patient Positioning Position the patient prone on a radiolucent table. Step 2 Surgical Approach In approaching the starting point, perform limited dissection of the soft tissue between the S1 and S2 dorsal foramina, while taking care to minimize unnecessary dissection and blood loss. Step 3 Channel Creation As the ideal screw pathway is one-third in the sacral ala and two-thirds in the ilium, start at the junction between the 1st and 2nd sacral segments, cross the sacroiliac joint, travel caudally toward the sciatic notch, cross between the inner and outer table of the ilium, and end close to the anterior inferior iliac spine cranial to the acetabular roof (Figs. 5-A and 5-B). Step 4 Screw Placement In most children and adults, use screws with an outer diameter ≥9 mm, which are recommended to prevent screw breakage. Step 5 Rod Placement Ensure that the SAI screws are in line with the remainder of the spinal anchors to allow for ease of rod insertion. Step 6 Wound Closure Perform carefully layered wound closure per routine at the end of the case, with special attention to meticulous hemostasis. Results In a review of the cases of 32 pediatric patients treated with SAI fixation, Sponseller et al.27 reported a mean pelvic obliquity correction of 70% and a mean major coronal Cobb angle correction of 67%. Pitfalls & Challenges

Implant-related fractures in children with proximal femoral osteotomy: Blade plate versus screw-side plate constructs

Background: Implant design may affect risk of fracture, especially in the proximal femur, which has been shown to have the highest risk of implant-related fracture (IRF). Blade plate (BPL) and screw-side plate (SSP) implants are used to stabilize proximal femoral osteotomies (PFOs). Our goal was to compare BPL and SSP constructs with regard to the rate, location, and timing of IRF in children undergoing PFOs. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed clinical and radiographic records from 1 pediatric orthopaedic practice from 1995 through 2010. We identified 734 children 18 years or younger who underwent PFO with a BPL (480 patients) or an SSP (254 patients). Manufacture and style of implants were consistent throughout this period. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of mean age, sex, race, or diagnosis. The 2 groups were compared with respect to the rate, location, and timing of IRF. The t, Z, &khgr;2, and Fisher exact tests were used to analyze the data (statistical significance, P<0.05 for all analyses). Results: The IRF rates were 2.9% and 1.6% in the BPL and SSP groups, respectively (P=0.27). The overall rate of IRF in all patients was 2.5%. Fractures distal to the implant occurred in 7 of 14 patients in the BPL group and 3 of 4 patients in the SSP group. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in location of fracture with respect to the implant (P=0.78). The mean times to fracture were 3.8±2.9 and 2.4±2.3 years (P=0.39) in the BPL and SSP groups, respectively. Conclusions: The risk of IRF in children after PFO is substantial. Despite differences in design, there was no significant difference between BPL and SSP implants with respect to IRF risk. Level of Evidence: Level III.