Distal femoral hemiepiphysiodesis with screws and suture versus 8-plate for the treatment of genu valgum in children

Factors influencing correction rate following hemiepiphysiodesis using tension band plates for deformities around the knee: a multivariate analysis study

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to appraise various factors influencing the correction rate in temporary hemiepiphysiodesis (THE) around the knee joint. Specifically, the study analysed the relationship of correction rate with age, gender, aetiology, type and location of deformity.

METHODS

The retrospective study included children who underwent THE for a coronal plane deformity (genu valgus or varum) around the knee joint (distal femur or proximal tibia) over a ten year period (2010-2020). The primary outcome of interest was the correction rate of the deformity.

RESULTS

Thirty-three children (27 females and 6 males) with a mean age of 8.1 years involving 86 plates were included in the study. The mean correction achieved was 12.2° over a treatment period of 13.3 months. Subgroup analysis showed significant differences between the type (varus (0.8° per month), valgus (1.1° per month)) and the location of deformity femur (1.2° per month) and tibia (0.7° per month)]. On multivariate analysis, the location and the duration of treatment showed significant associations with the correction rate.

CONCLUSION

The correction of coronal deformities following temporary hemiepiphysiodesis is influenced by several factors. Valgus, femoral and deformities in younger children correct at a faster rate. Location of deformity and duration of treatment emerged as potential factors affecting the correction rate.

Effective time, correction speed and termination time of hemi-epiphysiodesis in children

In children with asymmetric growth on the medial and lateral side of limbs, if there still remains growth potential, the guided growth technique of hemi-epiphysiodesis on one side of the epiphysis is recognized as a safe and effective method. However, when the hemi-epiphysiodesis start to correct the deformities, how many degrees could hemi-epiphysiodesis bring every month and when to remove the hemi-epiphysiodesis implant without rebound phenomenon are still on debate. This article reviews the current studies focus on the effective time, correction speed and termination time of hemi-epiphysiodesis.

Growth modulation for angular knee deformities: a practical guideline

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This study aimed to review the established concepts and advances related to growth modulation for treating knee angular deformities. Although they are considered well tolerated procedures, careful indications and accurate techniques are necessary to ensure good results.

RECENT FINDINGS

In addition to general clinical and radiographic evaluations, new tools such as two-dimensional low-dose radiography and gait analysis have been used to clarify angular and torsional combinations and the impact of mild angulations on the knee joint. Temporary epiphysiodesis is commonly the choice, and it can be performed with different implants such as staples, tension band plates (TBP), percutaneous transphyseal screws (PETS), sutures, and screws.

SUMMARY

Considering its principles, TBP has been preferred for younger children. Cost can be a limitation, and research for alternative implants such as screws and nonabsorbable sutures indicate they might be an alternative in the future. In adolescents, PETS becomes an attractive alternative; however, its reversible character has been controversial, and further studies are needed to establish limits in younger patients.

Indications and timing in isolated medial femoral hemiepiphysiodesis for idiopathic genu valgum: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Temporary isolated medial femoral hemiepiphysiodesis (TIMFH) represents a safe and effective technique widely used to treat idiopathic genu valgum. Recent studies mainly concentrated on comparing outcomes of different implants, while less attention has been reserved to the proper indications and timing for surgery. The aim of this systematic review was to provide evidence-based guidelines about indications for device implant and removal and postoperative management.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was performed across three databases to select articles concerning TIMFH in the treatment of idiopathic genu valgum. Studies involving other etiologies or concomitant surgical procedures were excluded. Quality assessment of the included studies was conducted through the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

RESULTS

Ten studies involving 237 patients for a total of 446 knees were included in the analysis. Mean age at surgery was 11,4 years. Patients were considered for surgery using various clinical and radiological parameters. Intermalleolar distance (IMD) and mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA) were the most common evaluated. Mean treatment time was 12 months. Rebound of the deformity occurred in 6,7% of cases.

CONCLUSION

Results of this review showed good consensus among authors. Patients undergoing TIMFH for IGV should be minimum 8 years old, with an IMD greater than 8 cm and a mLDFA lower than 87°. Postoperative management should comprise of quarterly clinic evaluations, and follow-up should last until skeletal maturity. The application of more uniform parameters in clinical practice may improve the establishment of the optimal timing for implant removal.

Correction of pediatric angular deformities in lower limbs through guided growth using a novel flexible plate system

INTRODUCTION

Tension band plates (TBP) for guided growth (GG) are the gold standard treatment for angular deformities around the knee. EPIFLEX® is a novel flexible TBP that adjusts to the patient's bone anatomy.

HYPOTHESIS

GG using a flexible TBP produces satisfactory correction rates with minor complications in the pediatric population with angular deformities around the knee.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective evaluation of 33 patients (60 knees) treated for genu varum and valgum with hemiepiphysiodesis using a flexible TBP between 2017 and 2020 was performed. The study aimed to assess correction and complication rates; patients who completed treatment were included regardless of the follow-up times after implant removal.

RESULTS

Thirteen females and 20 males with a median age of 10 years were included. The median treatment duration and follow-up were 10 and 22 months. The median monthly rate of change of mLDFA and mMPTA was 0.67° and 0.57°, respectively. A successful correction was achieved in 90% of the cases. There were no cases of infection or implant failure. Four cases presented overcorrection and two undercorrection; no significant relation with deformity or obesity was found.

DISCUSSION

GG using this flexible TBP showed satisfactory correction rates with a low incidence of complications and no implant failure. It provides flexibility through good adaptability to the bone anatomy and mobility of the screws avoiding implant protrusion or breakage.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV; observational descriptive case series.

Guided growth: indications and techniques for correction of knock knees and bowlegs

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Lower extremities axis alterations are a frequent cause for consultation in the medical practice of the care of paediatric patients. When it corresponds to pathological situations, guided growth surgery has been positioned as a possibility of well tolerated, reproducible and predictable resolution. For this reason, its use has increased significantly in recent years. In this review, its current indications, preoperative study, results and complications described in the updated literature will be discussed.

RECENT FINDINGS

The success of the technique remains high in the current literature, expanding the technique to other segments and disorders, and describing new ways of performing tension band with sutures. In addition, there is an increase in its incidence and a decrease in the associated hospitalized days, which can associate with techniques of lower morbidity.

SUMMARY

As guided growth surgery allows for successful correction of axis alterations, to achieve this, it is important to know the main indications, preoperative analysis and theoretical bases on which this technique is based, to carry it out in an adequate and timely manner, seeking an adequate resolution of the child's problem.

Change of limb alignment in Korean children and adolescents with idiopathic genu valgum

There has been no study evaluating the change of limb alignment for patients with genu valgum. The purpose of this study was to investigate the change of limb alignments in children and adolescents with idiopathic genu valgum through evaluating distal femur, proximal tibia, and knee joint line.Consecutive children and adolescents, under the age of 18, with genu valgum were included. Mechanical tibiofemoral angle, mechanical lateral distal femoral angle, mechanical medial proximal tibia angle, and joint line convergence angle were measured. The rate of changes for each radiographic measurement were analyzed using a linear mixed model.A total of 1539 teleroentgenograms from 518 limbs of 273 individuals were included in this study. Linear mixed model showed that the change of limb alignment was significantly associated with age, but not associated with gender and laterality. The mechanical tibiofemoral angle was most valgus initially, decreasing until reaching its lowest value of 2.8° at 10 years old. The mechanical lateral distal femoral angle decreases from initial neutral alignment and increases in valgus continuously. The mechanical medial proximal tibia angle decreases from initial valgus and progresses to be neutral at around the age of 10. The joint line convergence angle decreases sharply from initial valgus alignment to 0° at the age of 5.Valgus alignment in children with idiopathic genu valgum decreases until approximately the age of 10. In younger children, the tibia and joint line contribute most to overall valgus alignment; in older children, the femur contributes the most. Based on our results, we recommend monitoring patient limb alignment until it stabilizes around the age of 10, and then carefully planning and performing corrective surgery with complete consideration of the changing bony alignment.

Hemiepiphysiodesis: when should it be considered a day-case procedure?

Hemiepiphysiodesis is usually planned as a day-case but patients may stay overnight for pain control. In this study, we assessed the required level of analgesia (LOA) and length of stay (LOS) in patients undergoing hemiepiphysiodesis about the knee joint. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients that underwent temporary hemiepiphysiodesis of the distal femur or proximal tibia using hemiepiphysiodesis plates (eight-plates) for coronal plane deformities between January 2012 and October 2019. Demographics, type of procedure, anatomical site, anaesthetic time, preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative analgesia, and time of surgery were collected. Anterior hemiepiphysiodesis and permanent drill epiphysiodesis procedures were excluded. In this series of 79 patients, those with increased American Society of Anesthesiologists Score >1 and patients that were operated on >2 sites required increased LOA, (P < 0.05) and prolonged LOS (P < 0.05). The timing of surgery (morning vs. afternoon list) did not influence LOS or LOA. Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) was required in 8 of 14 (57%) patients with four growth plates operated on. All (n = 12) patients that received PCA remained in hospital for at least one night. The use of local infiltration intraoperatively played a significant role in early discharge of the patients and t lower the LOA postoperatively (P < 0.05). Parameters including the number of growth plates operated on, use of tourniquet and intraoperative local infiltration can independently influence LOS and LOA postoperatively and at discharge. These parameters should be taken into consideration when consulting with the patient and family and when planning the postoperative course.