Peter G. Gabos

Bilateral slipped capital femoral epiphysis: predictive factors for contralateral slip.

The primary goal in treatment of slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is to prevent further slip by stabilizing the physis. Debate exists concerning prophylactic fixation of the uninvolved hip at presentation. Our goal was to determine predictive factors for a contralateral slip after presentation with a unilateral SCFE. Ninety patients with SCFE and complete radiographs were followed up until the bilateral closure of the proximal femoral physis. Chronological age at presentation, sex, and race were recorded. Open or closed triradiate cartilage was recorded, and a modified Oxford bone age assessment was performed. Twenty patients (22%) had bilateral SCFE at presentation, and 70 patients (78%) were unilateral. Of these 70 patients, 16 (23%) later developed a contralateral SCFE. Analysis revealed that chronological age was the only significant (P = 0.010) predictor for developing a contralateral slip. All girls younger than 10 years and all boys younger than 12 years who presented with unilateral SCFE developed a contralateral slip. Twenty-five percent of girls younger than 12 years and 37% of boys younger than 14 years developed a contralateral slip. No girl older than 13 years and no boy older than 14 years developed a contralateral slip in our series. Surgical complications were infrequent and isolated to the side of the initial SCFE. Chronological age is a predictor for a contralateral slip in patients presenting with a unilateral SCFE. The authors recommend that all girls younger than 10 years and all boys younger than 12 years presenting with unilateral SCFE should undergo strong consideration for prophylactic screw fixation on the contralateral side. In older age groups, prophylactic treatment may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Prosthetic interposition arthroplasty for the palliative treatment of end-stage spastic hip disease in nonambulatory patients with cerebral palsy.

We reviewed our experience in using a prosthetic arthroplasty for the treatment of painful degenerative arthritis in 11 nonambulatory patients (14 hips) with cerebral palsy. Age of the patients ranged from 11 to 20 years. Three patients had previously undergone a salvage procedure. Radiographic follow-up averaged 16 months (range, 4 months to 5 years). Ten of the hips remained located on the latest radiographs, and four of the hips dislocated within 4 months of the procedure. No patient exhibited migration or failure of the implants, although one patient exhibited periprosthetic osteolysis, which remained unchanged over a 4-year period. Clinical follow-up averaged 5 years (range, 2-6 years). Ten patients (13 hips) had complete relief of hip pain. Caretaker satisfaction was high for these patients, with all 10 caretakers stating that they would recommend the procedure. One patient continued to have persistent pain in the hip, and the caretaker stated that she would not recommend the procedure.

Knee reconstruction in syndromes with congenital absence of the anterior cruciate ligament.

The authors review their experience with four patients with congenital deficiency of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) who underwent surgical treatment of symptomatic knee instability at a mean age of 15.8 years (range 14-17 years). Associated syndromes included fibular hemimelia, congenital short femur, and an unspecified skeletal dysplasia. All patients had undergone multiple previous realignment and leg lengthening procedures and were skeletally mature at the time of the reconstruction. All four patients underwent ACL reconstruction, and one patient underwent concomitant posterolateral corner reconstruction. One patient required an osteochondral autograft transplant procedure in addition to ACL reconstruction. Hypertrophy of the meniscofemoral ligament of Humphrey was a consistent anatomic finding at surgery. The patients were followed for a mean of 38 months (range 26-58 months) after the reconstruction. The mean preoperative Lysholm II score was 38 (range 28-56); the score had improved to a mean of 81 (range 78-93) at the latest follow-up. The authors conclude that reconstructive surgery is a viable option for restoration of knee stability and function in appropriately selected patients with congenital ACL deficiency.

Difficult thoracic pedicle screw placement in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Study Design Retrospective radiographic and clinical consecutive case series. Objective The objective of this study was to identify patients treated with posterior spinal fusion and pedicle screw instrumentation for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) in whom it was not possible to place a planned pedicle screw, and describe the possible difficulties in screw placement. Summary of Background Data Despite the knowledge of anatomic characteristics of upper thoracic spine pedicles and considerable experience in thoracic pedicle screw placement, inserting pedicle screws in some patients with AIS may be difficult. Methods We reviewed 96 patients with AIS in whom the intent was to use an all-screw construct in 2004. Placement of the pedicle screws was usually by the freehand method, with intraoperative fluoroscopy used as needed. If a screw could not be safely placed after multiple attempts, a down-going supralaminar or transverse process hook was placed. Medical records were reviewed and radiographs were measured by one of the authors. Results We identified 17 cases (18%) in which a hook had been placed. All cases had a major thoracic curve (Lenke 1, 2, and 3) and the single hook had always been placed at the most cephalad level of the construct on the patients right side. The most common levels for hook placement were T3 and T4; these pedicles were noted to be sclerotic, narrow, and have a moderate amount of rotation on the preoperative posterior-anterior and side bending radiographs. Conclusions Care should be exercised during pedicle screw instrumentation in the apical region of the proximal thoracic curve, whether structural or nonstructural, especially in the concavity. The preoperative radiographs may give helpful clues to intraoperative challenges of pedicle screw insertion at the uppermost level of instrumentation. Hook fixation was satisfactory in this scenario.

Operative and clinical markers of deep wound infection after spine fusion in children with cerebral palsy.

Background Infection after spine fusion for neuromuscular scoliosis has been shown to range from 4.2% to 20.0% prevalence. Although there are studies, which have examined deep wound infection and spine fusion surgery as well as risk factors for deep wound infection, there are limited studies evaluating clinical and radiographic factors associated with this complication. We aimed to determine the clinical and operative factors associated with deep wound infection after spine fusion in pediatric patients with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods Medical records of 236 pediatric patients, aged between 5.6 and 21 years (mean=13.8±3.4), with CP who underwent spine fusion from 1995 to 2006 were reviewed. Of these, 22 patients had deep wound infection. To assess the differences in clinical, radiographic, and other predisposing factors, we used &khgr;2 statistic and Fisher exact, and to determine the predisposing factors of deep wound infection, we used binomial regression model. Results The period prevalence of deep wound infection was 9.3%. In the unadjusted model, body weight, residual postoperative Cobb angle, length of hospitalization, packed red blood cells, and skin breakdown were the factors significantly associated with deep wound infection (P<0.05). After controlling for confounding, skin breakdown due to the instrumentation and residual postoperative Cobb angle were the 2 most potent markers of deep wound infection. There was a significant 4% increased risk of deep wound infection for 1-degree increase in the residual Cobb angle from the noncase mean residual Cobb angle of 23.69 degrees (adjusted risk ratio=1.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.08). Likewise, compared with those without skin breakdown, those with skin breakdown were 12 times as likely to develop deep wound infection (risk ratio=12.92; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-172.00). Conclusions Residual postoperative Cobb angle and skin breakdown due to unit rod instrumentation were the 2 most significant predisposing factors to deep wound infection. Other factors included body weight, packed red blood cells, and length of hospitalization. As the overall prevalence of deep wound infection is relatively high in CP patients after spine fusion, and considering the cost of hospitalization and other related comorbidities, surgeons should recognize these predisposing parameters to prevent deep wound infection in CP patients while correcting curve deformities. Level of Evidence Level III retrospective study.

Spinal fusion for scoliosis in Rett syndrome with an emphasis on early postoperative complications.

Study Design. Retrospective case-control study. Objective. To examine the postoperative complications of posterior spinal fusion in a population of patients with Rett syndrome (RS). Summary of Background Data. Scoliosis is a common feature of RS, a progressive neurologic disorder affecting almost exclusively females. Despite this, there is little published information regarding the surgical treatment of scoliosis in this disorder. Methods. Sixteen consecutive female patients with RS treated by posterior spinal fusion and unit rod instrumentation for progressive scoliosis between 1995 and 2003 were evaluated. Only patients with a minimum of 2-year follow-up were included. Preoperative medical conditions and postoperative complications were recorded. As a control group, we randomly selected 32 spastic quadriplegic patients who underwent the identical procedure during the same time period, selected from our database and matched according to age, level of neurologic impairment, and medical complexity. Results. There was a high rate of early medical complications in the RS patients, with 28 major and 37 minor complications. Only 1 patient did not have a major medical complication, and every patient had at least 1 minor gastrointestinal and/or respiratory complication. Major respiratory complications occurred in 10 patients (63%) and comprised 61% of all major complications. Major gastrointestinal complications occurred in 6 patients (37%) and comprised 21% of all major complications. Other major complications included disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (1 patient), subacute bacterial endocarditis (1 patient), sacral decubiti requiring surgical debridement (2 patients), and extensive bilateral heterotopic ossification of the hips (1 patient). There were no cases of instrumentation failure, pseudarthrosis, deep infection, or need for rod revision. Postoperative complication scores were similar to those in patients with spastic quadriplegic pattern cerebral palsy. Conclusion. Spinal fusion for scoliosis in RS can give a satisfactory technical result, but a high rate of early postoperative medical problems should be anticipated.

Intrauterine gangrene of the lower extremity in the newborn: a report of two cases.

We describe 2 cases of intrauterine gangrene involving the lower extremity in 2 unrelated neonates. Both cases were complicated by prematurity, and 1 case was complicated by an intrauterine distal femur fracture and twin-twin transfusion syndrome. Both cases resulted in profound ischemic necrosis from the knee to the foot, requiring knee disarticulation. In both cases, a follow-up period of 7 years is now completed, and no further medical or surgical complications have arisen.

Comparison of Direct Pars Repair Techniques of Spondylolysis in Pediatric and Adolescent Patients: Pars Compression Screw Versus Pedicle Screw-Rod-Hook.

Study Design:Retrospective clinical cohort study. Objective:To compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients who were treated with intrasegmental pars fixation by either laminar compression screw (LS) or a pedicle screw, rod, and laminar hook (PSRH) construct. Summary of Background Data:Spondylolysis is a nonunion defect of the pars interarticularis. In symptomatic spondylolysis, direct repair of the pars interarticularis defect can preserve motion and prevent abnormal stresses at the adjacent levels. Methods:Sixteen patients who failed nonoperative treatment and underwent direct pars repair by using LS (n=9) or PSRH (n=7) constructs were included in the study. Clinical outcome was assessed by using the MacNab criteria. Radiologic fusion and complications were evaluated using plain radiographs or computed tomography images and patient charts. Results:The healing rate was 100% after 6 months. The healing time was similar in both the groups: LS, 6.5 months; PSRH, 6.2 months. Patients with PSRH (5.9 mo) were more likely to return to sports earlier relative to patients with LS (7.7 mo). There were no complications in the LS group; in the PSRH group, 1 patient had mild sensory deficit and 2 had superficial wound infections. The MacNab criteria for pain assessment showed an excellent or good outcome in 8 of 9 patients in LS group and 6 of 7 patients in PSRH group. Relative to LS patients, there was a significant increase in surgical time and estimated blood loss among PSRH patients. Conclusions:Either of the mentioned 2 techniques appears to produce acceptable results. Biplanar fluoroscopy and navigation systems could minimize the risk of screw misplacement with LS construct. Familiarity with the various fixation techniques will allow the surgeon to select the most appropriate surgical technique.

Dysfunction of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt after posterior spinal fusion in children with cerebral palsy: a report of two cases.

Posterior spinal fusion with the use of unit rod instrumentation has been successful in the treatment of neuromuscular scoliosis 1-3. The reported complications of this procedure include wound infection, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, skin ulceration, excessive blood loss, pneumothorax, latex anaphylaxis, superior mesenteric artery syndrome, pancreatitis, instrumentation failure, pseudarthrosis, and spinal cord injury 1-11. We report on two children with cerebral palsy who sustained life-threatening hydrocephalus due to dysfunction of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt after posterior spinal fusion. To our knowledge, this unusual complication has not been reported previously. Both of our patients had severe scoliosis secondary to spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, and both had a history of hydrocephalus treated with a shunt. In both patients, the correction of the spinal curve at surgery was marked. In one of the two patients (Case 1), fracture of the shunt tubing in the cervical region was noted in the immediate postoperative period, but a computed tomographic scan of the head demonstrated no ventricular dilation at that time. Profound symptoms occurred approximately four weeks after the procedure, requiring emergent decompression of a hydrocephalus and revision of the ventriculoperitoneal shunt. In the other patient (Case 2), fracture of the shunt tubing in the cervical region had been recognized two years prior to the spinal fusion. Computed tomographic evaluation of the shunt at that time demonstrated no ventricular dilation, and the hydrocephalus was thought to have arrested. On correction of the scoliosis, the distance between the two ends of the fractured tubing in the cervical region increased, resulting in profound hydrocephalus within eight weeks after the spinal procedure. Case 1. A ten-year-old boy with severe spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy and a history of hydrocephalus treated with a shunt was evaluated because of increasing difficulties with sitting in a wheelchair as a …

Sagittal Spinopelvic Parameters of Young Children With Scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN Retrospective, multicenter review of the spinopelvic parameters in young children with scoliosis. OBJECTIVES To describe sagittal alignment of the spine and pelvis in young children with scoliosis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA The natural history of spinopelvic parameters has been defined for the first 10 years of life in normal children; however, they have not been described for children with scoliosis. Such information is important because these values can be used as a baseline for the assessment of radiographic outcomes after surgical intervention. METHODS Seven measures of sagittal alignment were taken from standing lateral radiographs of 80 children with scoliosis (coronal Cobb angle greater than 50°) and compared with age-matched normal children described in the literature. Statistical analysis was performed using 2-tailed Student t tests (level of significance = .05) and Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS Patients had a mean age of 4.8 years (range, 1-10 years) and a mean Cobb angle of 72.0° ± 16°. Mean sagittal spine parameters were sagittal balance (2.2 ± 4 cm), thoracic kyphosis (38.0° ± 20.8°), and lumbar lordosis (49.0° ± 16.6°). These values were similar to those of children without scoliosis. Mean sagittal pelvic parameters were: pelvic incidence (46.5° ± 15.8°), pelvic tilt (10.7° ± 13.6°), sacral slope (35.5° ± 12.1°), and pelvic radius (55.7° ± 21.3°). Pelvic incidence was not significantly different from that of age-matched normal children; however, pelvic tilt was significantly higher and sacral slope was significantly lower in children with scoliosis. CONCLUSIONS Sagittal plane spine parameters and some pelvic parameters were similar for young children with scoliosis versus age-matched normal children; however, children with scoliosis showed signs of increased pelvic tilt and decreased sacral slope. These values can be used as a baseline for both the natural history and the assessment of radiographic outcomes after surgical intervention.