Journal of pediatric orthopedics
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The promotion and practice of evidence-based medicine necessitates a critical evaluation of medical literature, including the criterion standard of randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Recent studies have examined the quality of RCTs in various surgical specialties, but no study has focused on pediatric orthopaedics. The purpose of this study was to assess and describe the quality of RCTs published in the last 10 years in journals with high clinical impact in pediatric orthopaedics. ⋯ Most RCTs in pediatric orthopaedics that are published in well-recognized peer-reviewed journals demonstrate substantial deficiencies in methodological quality. Particular areas of weakness include inadequate rigor and reporting of randomization methods, use of inappropriate or poorly described outcome measures, inadequate description of inclusion and exclusion criteria, and inappropriate statistical analysis. Further efforts are necessary to improve the conduct and reporting of clinical trials in this field to avoid inadvertent misinformation of the clinical community.
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Comparative Study
Open Gustilo 1 and 2 midshaft fractures of the radius and ulna in children: is there a role for cast immobilization after wound debridement?
Open fractures of the forearm in children are one of the indications for open reduction and internal fixation. Fixation allows for soft tissue management and maintenance of reduction. This study compares the outcome of open Gustilo 1 and 2 midshaft forearm fractures treated with cast immobilization versus the outcome of those treated with internal fixation after wound debridement. ⋯ Despite the trend toward implant stabilization of all open forearm fractures, this study shows that there is still a role for cast immobilization in its treatment of Gustilo 1 and 2 open forearm fractures as long as proper casting technique and close follow-up is achieved. However, internal fixation should be considered in cases where the fracture is noted intraoperatively to be unstable or if attempted reduction fails, bearing in mind the possible complications associated with internal fixation.
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Articular cartilage injuries and loose bodies have been associated with patellar dislocations. At the time of patellar realignment surgery (PRS), direct intraarticular visualization of the structures of concern may be limited with the use of a small arthrotomy. Concomitant diagnostic arthroscopy can improve the identification of intraarticular abnormalities, both patellofemoral and nonpatellofemoral, because of the better field of view. ⋯ Arthroscopic inspection of the knee at the time of PRS permits identification of abnormality that is not routinely visual by using open arthrotomy. Twenty percent of patients had additional pathological findings; of these patients, 50% underwent an additional surgical procedure.
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Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a relatively new diagnostic entity in pediatrics. There is debate as to what constitutes the most effective treatment for pediatric CRPS. This study presents the patient characteristics, clinical course, and treatment outcome of 20 children diagnosed with CRPS at a major children's hospital during a 4-year period. ⋯ A high percentage of children had complete resolution of symptoms using this treatment regime (mean, 15.4 weeks [range, 3 days to 64 weeks]), but 40% required treatment as a hospital inpatient and 20% had a relapse episode. In conclusion, pediatric CRPS is under-recognized by clinicians, resulting in diagnostic delays, but has a favorable outcome to noninvasive treatment in that complete resolution of symptoms and signs occur in most patients. However, the lengthy period to achieve symptom resolution in some children and a high relapse rate support the need for further research into other treatment modalities.