Lower limb asymmetry: results after definitive epiphysiodesis at skeletal maturity in a high complexity paediatric hospital
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rccot.2017.09.004Keywords:
leg length discrepancy, epiphysiodesis, complicationsAbstract
Background: The most used surgical treatment in children with leg length discrepancy is permanent percutaneous epiphysiodesis. The purpose of this study is to describe the results at skeletal maturity, as well as the complications in children with leg length asymmetry treated with permanent epiphysiodesis, in a high complexity paediatric hospital since 1993, and to analyse the variables related to the percentage of correction.
Materials and methods: Descriptive, retrospective study, including a review of clinical and radiological records. The study included all patients with a diagnosis of lower limb asymmetry, and who had permanent epiphysiodesis as only treatment, as well as an x-ray at skeletal maturity. A descriptive analysis and a regression analysis were performed between the percentage of correction and predictor variables, gender, aetiology, initial and predicted asymmetry, and at adulthood, method of prediction, and pubertal development. Complications were analysed.
Results: The study included 29 patients, of which 16 were boys, and 21 were congenital. The median age at surgery was 12.1 (range: 10.8-13.6) and 13.7 (range: 11.4-15.2) years in females and males, respectively. Asymmetry at adulthood was less than 2 cm in 69% of cases. The range of the correction percentage was 2.6 to 106.5%, being associated negatively to the presence of advanced puberty (Coeff= -23.9; P=.025) and positively associated with Moseley (Coeff= 38.9; P=.056). The complications included angular deformity in zone 1 (10%).
Discussion: Permanent percutaneous epiphysiodesis was an effective and safe tool for the treatment of leg length discrepancy in our patients. Emphasis is placed on the evaluation of pubertal development during follow-up in order to optimise results at adulthood.
Level of evidence: IV.
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