Thomas F. Kling

Angular and torsional deformities of the lower limbs in children

Angular and torsional malalignments of the lower extremity in children are common problems for which parents seek orthopedic advice. Calcaneal valgus of the foot, internal tibial torsion, genu varus, genu valgus, and femoral anteversion are normally observed in infants and usually are corrected with growth. The majority of angular deformities are physiologic; however, it is important to distinguish those requiring further evaluation and treatment. Accurate examination and knowledge of the natural history of rotational and angular deformities allow accurate assessment of the child and sound advice to the parents. There is a trend away from the use of shoe modifications, Denis-Browne-type bars, and twister cables in treating these deformities. Surgical treatment is occasionally required, but the prerequisites in each case should be carefully observed.

Management of scoliosis due to syringomyelia in childhood and adolescence

Summary: To determine the effect of syringomyelia treatment (drainage) on the efficacy of orthotic management and safety of operative management of an associated scoliosis, the records of four boys with scoliosis due to syringomyelia were reviewed. The average follow-up was 8 years. On presentation, all had an abnormal neurologic examination. Each syrinx was treated by laminectomy and insertion of a syringosubarachnoid shunt. After drainage, three of four improved neurologically. Two older patients underwent uneventful posterior spinal fusion with Harrington distraction instrumentation after their drainage procedures. One boy developed kyphosis at the site of his laminectomy. Two young patients, whose curves were initially well controlled with bracing, developed continued curve progression over time. Drainage of the syrinx delayed but did not prevent curve progression in immature patients, but did allow use of distraction instrumentation without complication for operative management of the associated scoliosis.

Ulnar nerve palsy following rotational osteotomy of congenital radioulnar synostosis

Two successive cases of ulnar nerve palsy following rotational osteotomy through a congenital radioulnar synostosis are described. Entrapment of the ulnar nerve by the fascia connecting the two heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris was documented in one patient. Recommendations to avoid this complication include shortening of the forearm at the osteotomy site and the release of unyielding soft tissue restraints. Rotational osteotomy at the distal radial metaphysis may provide a safe, alternative approach in the surgical management of this difficult problem.

The influence of induced hypotension and spine distraction on canine spinal cord blood flow

Deliberate hypotension is used in scoliosis surgery to reduce the need for blood transfusion and to improve operating conditions. There are concerns, however, that hypotension may decrease spinal cord blood flow (SCBF) and thereby predispose the spinal cord to ischemic injury, particularly when it is distracted during Harrington instrumentation. In a canine model, the mean arterial pressure (MAP) was reduced to 50% of the normotensive value with sodium nitroprusside and halothane to study its effects, with and without spinal distraction, on spinal cord blood flow measured by the hydrogen clearance technique. The induction of systemic hypotension resulted in a significant decrease in spinal cord blood flow from 15.7 ± 1.1 ml/min/100g (control) to 10.7 ± 4.7 ml/min/100g. This initial decrease in spinal cord blood flow returned to normotensive values by 35 minutes following the induction of hypotension, suggesting an autoregulatory effect. This indicates that the induction of deliberate hypotension to half its normotensive mean arterial pressure is associated with a significant decrease in spinal cord blood flow that returns to normotensive levels by 35 minutes. One and two centimeters of longitudinal distraction applied during systemic hypotension did not reduce spinal cord blood flow when it was applied at least 45 minutes after the hypotension was induced. Thus, when longitudinal stretch of a magnitude approximating that used clinically during Harrington instrumentation is applied in the presence of systemic hypotension, the normal SCBF is not reduced when the autoregulating system is functioning. Cautiously extrapolating these findings clinically suggests that nitroprusside-induced hypotension does decrease spinal cord blood flow, but this effect is not sustained, and spine distraction applied during hypotension induced to 50% of MAP does not reduce SCBF once it has returned to normotensive flows.

The influence of trimethaphan (arfonad)-induced hypotension with and without spine distraction on canine spinal cord blood flow

Controlled hypotension is used in scoliosis surgery to reduce the need for transfusion and to improve operating conditions, but there is concern that deliberate hypotension may decrease spinal cord blood flow (SCBF) and predispose the spinal cord to injury, particularly when it is distracted during Harrington instrumentation. To study the effect of deliberate hypotension on SCBF, the mean arterial pressure (MAP) was reduced to 50% of its normotensive value with trimethaphan (Arfonad) in dogs and the SCBF measured using the hydrogen washout technique with and without spine distraction. The SCBF was significantly reduced to half its normotensive value of 23.2 ml/min/100 gm to 11.4 ml/min/100 gm after hypotension was established. The SCBF remained significantly decreased compared with controls when measured at 30, 45, and 60 minutes following the induction of hypotension and also when hypotension was terminated. SCBF was not further reduced when 2 cm of spine distraction was added. These results show that induction of hypotension with trimethaphan is associated with a similar decrease in SCBF, which is maintained as long as the drug is used and that this effect continues after the drug is terminated and the MAP increases. Cautiously extrapolating these findings clinically would suggest that trimethaphan may not be the drug of choice for controlled hypotension during scoliosis surgery, despite its apparently favorable hemodynamic and hormonal responses.

Heel reconstruction with the deep circumflex iliac artery osteocutaneous flap.

A patient with extensive loss of bone and soft tissue from the right heel is presented. The defect was reconstructed using an osteocutaneous flap based on the deep circumflex iliac vessels. Indications for this procedure include extensive loss of bone and soft tissue precluding the use of local flaps. A 30-month period has elapsed since her reconstruction. A single ulcer developed 13 months postoperatively that healed after flap revision. We feel that tailoring the flap to minimize redundancy at the initial operation, subsequent tissue excision if necessary, and reinnervation augment durability of the flap.

The radiographic anatomy of the thoracic pedicle

A cadaveric study of the radiographic characteristics of the thoracic pedicle was performed. Dried vertebrae at T6 and T7 were mounted and x-rayed at varying angles. The relationship of the pedicles to wire markers, methyl methacrylate cores, and Cotrel Dubousset hooks was analyzed. The oval image of the pedicle on radiographs is its waist. This image narrows with axial rotation of the x-ray beam. The relationship of a correctly placed pedicle hook to its pedicle is radiographically unchanged by rotation. Conversely, an incorrectly placed hook cannot be made to appear in position by rotating the x-ray beam.

The role of arthrography in the management of dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica

Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica can be diagnesed on plain radiographs of the affected areas. However, double contrast arthrography in three new cases provided additional information. The cartilaginous portions of the lesion at the articular surface of the bone were precisely demonstrated, aiding the orthopedic surgeon in deciding which patients should have surgery and planning the extent of operation necessary.

Esophagitis complicating scoliosis management with the Boston thoracolumbosacral orthosis

The design of the Boston thoracolumbosacral orthosis for scoliosis treatment may increase intragastric pressure, possibly causing reflux esophagitis. Early recognition and aggressive medical treatment of reflux may avoid esophagitis and the need to either abandon or modify conservative scoliosis management.

Digital radiography in pediatric orthopaedics: a prospective, controlled, and randomized trial.

A prospective, controlled, and randomized trial of digital radiography was conducted to evaluate its advantages in children. Matched pairs of radiographs of the feet were taken in 20 children, and pelvic radiographs were taken in another 20 children. Each pair comprised a digital and conventional film. Half of the digital films were made with a 50% radiation dose reduction. The films were scored for quality. Statistically significant advantages were seen for the digital radiographs as compared with the conventional technique. Visualization of soft tissue and bony detail was enhanced in both foot and pelvic radiographs. This was true even with a 50% dose reduction in many of the parameters scored. We conclude that digital radiography offers advantages over conventional radiography, and recommend its use.