Percutaneous pelvic osteotomy and intertrochanteric varus shortening osteotomy in nonambulatory GMFCS level IV and V cerebral palsy patients: preliminary report on 30 operated hips

Bony reconstruction of hip in cerebral palsy children Gross Motor Function Classification System levels III to V: a systematic review

Hip dislocation is a common source of disability in cerebral palsy children. It has been remedied by various reconstructive procedures. This review aims at providing the best evidence for bony reconstructive procedures in cerebral palsy hip migration. The literature extraction process yielded 36 articles for inclusion in this review. There is fair evidence to indicate that the comparative effectiveness of femoral versus combined pelvifemoral reconstruction favours pelvifemoral reconstruction. All except one were retrospective articles with a significant degree of selection and performance bias and confounding variables that limited the validity and generalizability of the conclusions. The findings of this systematic review provide fair evidence for the use of adequate soft tissue and combined pelvifemoral reconstruction in the management of hip migration in none and minimally ambulatory cerebral palsy children in the short and long term. This has been shown in studies with a summed sizable patient population. There is limited evidence available that would support the use of soft-tissue and isolated femoral reconstruction. In the context of these retrospective and biased studies, it is extremely difficult to identify, with great precision, predictors of surgical success. Future studies should consider prospective designs that allow for bias control, strict patient selection criteria and incorporation of validated quality-of-life scales.

Avascular necrosis in children with cerebral palsy after reconstructive hip surgery

PURPOSE

Progressive hip displacement is one of the most common orthopaedic pathologies in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Reconstructive hip surgery has become the standard treatment of care. Reported avascular necrosis (AVN) rates for hip reconstructive surgery in these patients vary widely in the literature. The purpose of this study is to identify the frequency and associated risk factors of AVN for reconstructive hip procedures.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed of 70 cases of reconstructive hip surgery in 47 children with CP, between 2009 and 2013. All 70 cases involved varus derotation osteotomy (VDRO), with 60% having combined VDRO and pelvic osteotomies (PO), and 21% requiring open reductions. Mean age at time of surgery was 8.82 years and 90% of patients were Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) 4 and 5. Radiographic dysplasia parameters were analysed at selected intervals, to a minimum of one year post-operatively. Severity of AVN was classified by Kruczynski's method. Bivar- iate statistical analysis was conducted using Chi-square test and Student's t-test.

RESULTS

There were 19 (27%) noted cases of AVN, all radio- graphically identifiable within the first post-operative year. The majority of AVN cases (63%) were mild to moderate in severity. Pre-operative migration percentage (MP) (p = 0.0009) and post-operative change in MP (p = 0.002) were the most significant predictors of AVN. Other risk factors were: GMFCS level (p = 0.031), post-operative change in NSA (p = 0.02) and concomitant adductor tenotomy (0.028).

CONCLUSION

AVN was observed in 27% of patients. Severity of displacement correlates directly with AVN risk and we suggest that hip reconstruction, specifically VDRO, be performed early in the 'hip at risk' group to avoid this complication.

Minimally invasive, iliac crest-sparing approach for pelvic osteotomies in children

The aim of this article is to describe a minimally invasive iliac crest-sparing approach (ICSA) allowing common iliac osteotomies in children. The ICSA was used for 98 hips in 72 consecutive patients who underwent a pelvic osteotomy. The mean follow-up duration ranged from 3 to 7 years. Skin incision ranged from 3 to 5.5 cm. Displacement of the distal osteotomy fragment was easy and without tension. The duration of surgery varied from 50 min in the beginning of our experience to 20-25 min for the last cases of the series. In conclusion, the ICSA fulfills all the criteria of minimally invasive surgery.

Results and complications of percutaneous pelvic osteotomy and intertrochanteric varus shortening osteotomy in 54 consecutively operated GMFCS level IV and V cerebral palsy patients

PURPOSE

This retrospective study evaluated mid-to-long-term outcome of a minimally invasive percutaneous pelvic osteotomy (PPO) approach combined with varus derotational shortening osteotomy (VDRSO) and soft tissue release in children with severe CP.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed of all patients presenting with a diagnosis of CP with hip subluxation or dislocation treated surgically by simultaneous soft tissue release, VDRSO, and PPO between 2002 and 2015. Eligible patients included those with a diagnosis of spastic quadriplegia or CP GMFCS level IV or V with unilateral or bilateral hip subluxation or dislocation and surgical treatment of the deformity by simultaneous soft tissue release, VDRSO and PPO. All anterior-posterior (AP) radiographs of the pelvis were reviewed and Reimers migration percentage (MP) and acetabular angle (AA) were measured.

RESULTS

In total, 54 children and adolescents (34 boys, 20 girls) with CP GMFCS level IV and V were treated during study period: 38 (70.4%) classified GMFCS level IV and 16 (29.6%) classified GMFCS level V. A total of 64 consecutive hips underwent simultaneous PPO associated with VDRSO. Overall, at the time of chart and radiograph review, mean age was 9.1 ± 3.3 years (range 4-16.5) and mean follow-up was 43.9 ± 19.5 months (range 3-72). Mean migration percentage improved from 66.8 ± 19.8% (range 33-100) preoperatively to 8.1 ± 16.5% (range 0-70) at last follow-up. Mean acetabular angle improved from 32.7° ± 7.1° (range 20-50) preoperatively to 14° ± 6.7° (range 0-27) at last follow-up. Only one case of bone graft dislodgment was observed. We did not observe any cases of avascular necrosis of the femoral head. All operated hips were pain free at the time of last follow-up.

CONCLUSION

PPO through a less invasive surgical approach offers a valuable alternative to standard techniques as it gives similar outcome but with less muscle stripping and less time in surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Orthopedic surgery in cerebral palsy: Instructional course lecture

Orthopedic surgery (OS) plays an important role in the management of cerebral palsy (CP). The objectives of OS are to optimize functions and prevent deformity. Newer developments in OS for CP include emphasis on hip surveillance, minimally invasive procedures, use of external fixators instead of plates and screws, better understanding of lever arm dysfunctions (that can only be corrected by bony OS), orthopedic selective spasticity-control surgery, and single-event multilevel lever arm restoration and anti spasticity surgery, which have led to significant improvements in gross motor function and ambulation, especially in spastic quadriplegia, athetosis, and dystonia. The results of OS can be dramatic and life altering for the person with CP and their caregivers if it is performed meticulously by a specialized surgical team, at the appropriate age, for the correct indications, employing sound biomechanical principles and is followed by physician-led, protocol based, intensive, multidisciplinary, institutional rehabilitation, and long term followup. However, OS can be a double-edged sword, and if performed less than optimally, and without the supporting multidisciplinary medical and rehabilitation team, expertise and infrastructure, it often leads to significant functional worsening of the person with CP, including irretrievable loss of previous ambulatory capacity. OS must be integrated into the long term management of the person with CP and should be anticipated and planned at the optimal time and not viewed as a "last resort" intervention or failure of rehabilitation. This instructional course lecture reviews the relevant contemporary principles and techniques of OS in CP.

Inter-observer and intra-observer reliability in the radiographic diagnosis of avascular necrosis of the femoral head following reconstructive hip surgery in children with cerebral palsy

PURPOSE

The incidence of avascular necrosis (AVN) following reconstructive hip surgery in cerebral palsy (CP) ranges from 0 to 69 % in the current literature. The purpose of this study was to determine the inter- and intra-observer reliability of radiographically diagnosing AVN in children with CP after hip surgery.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 65 children with CP who had reconstructive hip surgery between 2009 and 2012 at BC Children's Hospital was completed. Anterior-posterior and lateral radiographs were presented to four pediatric orthopaedic surgeons over two rounds. Surgeons were asked to review the set of unidentified radiographs and comment 'yes' or 'no' for the presence of AVN. Two weeks later the same set of radiographs was sent in a different order and the surgeons were again asked to comment on AVN. Inter- and intra-observer reliability was determined using kappa statistics.

RESULTS

The intra-observer reliability ranged from 0.65 to 0.88 with an average score of 0.76. Inter-observer reliability showed greater variability, ranging from 0.41 to 0.77 with an average score of 0.56 across all surgeons.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the intra-rater reliability produced a strength of "good" and the inter-rater reliability a strength of "moderate" agreement, the variability within these scores is clinically important as it demonstrates the difficulty in identifying AVN. This may explain the variability in AVN that is reported in the literature. The need for further education and research in the diagnosis of AVN in children with CP who have undergone reconstructive hip surgery is clinically necessary.

The Frequency of AVN Following Reconstructive Hip Surgery in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) undergoing reconstructive hip surgery are at risk for developing avascular necrosis (AVN). The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the reported frequency of AVN, the amount and quality of literature available, and possibly identity risk factors for developing AVN following reconstructive surgery for hip displacement in children with CP.

METHODS

We performed a review of the literature using EMBASE and MEDLINE databases. Studies investigating the outcome of reconstructive hip surgery in patients with CP that identified the presence or absence of AVN were included. Study quality was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies and the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine scale.

RESULTS

Three hundred and ninety-nine articles were identified using our search strategy. Twenty-nine studies were included for data extraction after full-text review. The frequency of AVN ranged from 0% to 46% with an overall rate across studies of 7.5%. Presence of AVN was the primary outcome in 2 studies. The frequency of AVN in these studies was significantly higher than other studies at 37% and 46%. No statistically significant associations were found between age at surgery, severity of hip subluxation, length of follow-up, or type of surgery (combined varus derotation osteotomy and pelvic osteotomy vs. varus derotation osteotomy alone), and the rate of AVN. The majority of studies did not comment on methods used for determining diagnosis or severity of AVN and clinical significance was not well documented.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with CP undergoing reconstructive hip surgery are at risk of developing AVN. Frequency and severity of this complication is poorly documented in the literature. On the basis of current evidence no significant risk factors were identified; however, it is not possible to draw firm conclusions about them. Incidence of AVN was higher in studies in which AVN was a primary outcome suggesting that the true frequency of AVN may be higher than is currently understood.

Acetabular Remodeling After a Varus Derotational Osteotomy in Children With Cerebral Palsy

BACKGROUND

The optimal surgical intervention for hip dysplasia in cerebral palsy (CP) is controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine (1) whether an isolated varus derotation osteotomy (VDRO) for the treatment of CP hip dysplasia allows for acetabular remodeling as measured by acetabular depth ratio (ADR), (2) the predictive factors for acetabular remodeling after an isolated VDRO for the treatment of CP hip dysplasia, and (3) to establish the normal ADR in typical children for comparison.

METHODS

Eighty-seven CP patients (174 hips) treated with an isolated VDRO between 2003 and 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. The average age at surgery was 4.6 years (range, 2.4 to 10.6 y) and the average follow-up period was 5.1 years (range, 1.1 to 9.9 y). Acetabular remodeling was assessed on radiographs by the ADR. Changes in preoperative and postoperative ADR were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models. Patients were divided into 2 different groups for the postoperative ADR analysis: Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I, II, and III compared with GMFCS levels IV and V. The progression of ADR versus age was determined in a set of 917 normal children (1834 hips) for comparison.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant increase (improvement) in ADR postsurgically for the collective CP set (P<0.001) and for both GMFCS categories (I/II/III, IV/V: P<0.001). GMFCS level, sex, and intraoperative neck shaft angle (NSA) were determined to be significant predictors for postoperative ADR improvement. GMFCS level was the most significant predictor for an increase in ADR after surgery (P<0.001). Less improvement in ADR was observed in patients of GMFCS levels IV and V compared with patients of GMFCS levels I, II, and III (P<0.001). A lower intraoperative NSA resulted in greater postoperative increase in ADR (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, isolated VDRO allowed for acetabular remodeling in CP hip dysplasia. Acetabular remodeling was increased in patients of GMFCS levels I, II, and III compared with patients of GMFCS levels IV and V. Increased varization at the time of VDRO improved acetabular remodeling. This study recommends considering GMFCS level and intraoperative NSA during surgical planning for CP hip dysplasia.

Percutaneous pelvic osteotomy in non-ambulatory cerebral palsy patients

The aim of this study was to describe the surgical technique of and indications for percutaneous pelvic osteotomy in patients with severe cerebral palsy. Forty non-ambulatory children and adolescents (47 hips) were consecutively treated with percutaneous pelvic osteotomy. The mean preoperative Reimers' migration percentage improved from 66.2% to 4.9% at the final follow-up. The mean preoperative acetabular angle (AA) improved from 32.4° to 13.2° at last follow-up. Percutaneous pelvic osteotomy is a less invasive surgical approach and appears to be a valid option with similar outcomes to standard techniques.This method results in less muscle stripping and blood loss and a shorter operating time.

Hip problems in cerebral palsy: screening, diagnosis and treatment

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Spastic type is the most common form of cerebral palsy. The purpose of this review was to evaluate recent literature for current trends in the surveillance and treatment of spastic hip problems in cerebral palsy.

RECENT FINDINGS

Cerebral palsy is still the most common physical disability in childhood in developed countries. Surveillance programs have had promising results in the detection of 'at risk' patients. However, neither regular radiographic screening nor surgical treatment indications and procedures have shown any progression in the last decade. In addition, recent studies have focused heavily on nonoperative treatment strategies to improve gait.

SUMMARY

Cerebral palsy is a static encephalopathy causing myostatic contractures especially in the knee and hip. Unbalanced hip contractures can lead to silent hip dislocation. Surgical and rehabilitative approaches such as soft tissue lengthening and proximal femoral and pelvic osteotomies can help patients maintain function and comfort. Selective dorsal rhizotomy or Intrathecal Baclofen Pump insertion or, recently, noninvasive techniques such as neurodevelopmental therapy may help patients and caregivers cope with what is still a devastating and inexorably progressive disorder.

Percutaneous pelvic osteotomy in cerebral palsy patients: Surgical technique and indications

AIM: To describe the surgical technique of and indications for percutaneous pelvic osteotomy in patients with severe cerebral palsy.

METHODS: Twenty-one non-ambulatory children and adolescents (22 hips) were consecutively treated with percutaneous pelvic osteotomy, which was used in conjunction with varus, derotational, shortening femoral osteotomy and soft tissue release, to correct progressive hip subluxation and acetabular dysplasia. The age, gender, Gross Motor Function Classification System level, side(s) of operated hip, total time of follow-up, immediate post-operative immobilization, complications, and the need for revision surgery were recorded for all patients.

RESULTS: Seventeen patients (81%) were classified as GMFCS level IV, and 4 (19%) patients were classified as GMFCS level V. At the time of surgery, the mean age was 10.3 years (range: 4-15 years). The mean Reimers’ migration percentage improved from 63% (range: 3%-100%) pre-operatively to 6.5% (range: 0%-70%) at the final follow-up (P < 0.05). The mean acetabular angle (AA) improved from 34.1° (range: 19°-50°) pre-operatively to 14.1° (range: 5°-27°) (P < 0.05). Surgical correction of MP and AA was comparable in hips with open (n = 14) or closed (n = 8) triradiate cartilage (P < 0.05). All operated hips were pain-free at the time of the final follow-up visit, although one patient had pain for 6 mo after surgery. We did not observe any cases of bone graft dislodgement or avascular necrosis of the femoral head.

CONCLUSION: Pelvic osteotomy through a less invasive surgical approach appears to be a valid alternative with similar outcomes to those of standard techniques. This method allows for less muscle stripping and blood loss and a shorter operating time.