Journal of pediatric orthopedics
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Elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) is currently the therapy of choice in unstable, transverse and short oblique femoral and tibial-fibular shaft fractures in childhood and adolescence. As with every intramedullary technique, it requires a greater intraoperative reliance on radiological imaging. Literature concerning intraoperative radiation load in ESIN is rare, results having a wide range from less than 1 minute to more than 15 minutes. ⋯ The actual intraoperative radiation load is influenced by bone mass and soft tissue coverage. Surgeons are able to reduce it only by decreasing the fluoroscopy time. According to our results, image intensifier time should not exceed 3 minutes in ESIN of femoral shaft fractures and 2 minutes in ESIN of lower-leg fractures. Low intraoperative radiation times are a mark of quality with respect to the interests of patients, surgeons, and operation theater staff.
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Comparative Study
Musculoskeletal manifestations in pediatric acute leukemia.
In children, acute leukemia (AL) at presentation can mimic several orthopaedic pathologies, so that a variable delay of the correct diagnosis is often reported. ⋯ Both clinical and radiological changes had various and no uniform localization. Poor correlation was found between symptoms and radiological lesions. Survival rates in children with AL were 95.8% at 1 year, 89.6% at 3 years, 85.8% at 5 years, and 83.4% at 10 and at 13 years. Radiographic abnormalities (P = 0.400), type of leukemia (P = 0.291), sex (P = 0.245), and white blood cell count at presentation (P = 0.877) were not prognostic factors. The presence of multiple bone lesions did not affect the survival rate (P=0.632). As early diagnosis significantly decreases morbidity and mortality of AL, the orthopaedist should suspect AL in any child with unexplained persistent skeletal pain or radiographic alterations. Accurate history, general physical examination, and complete blood cell count tests should address the suspicion, which is confirmed by a peripheral and/or iliac crest bone marrow biopsy.
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the demographics, mechanisms, pattern, injury severity, and the outcome (ie, length of intensive care unit [ICU] stay, length of mechanical ventilation, total length of stay, mortality) in multiple-injured children based on a review from the German trauma registry study ("Traumaregister") of the German Society of Trauma Surgery (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Unfallchirurgie e.V.). ⋯ There were differences between multiple-injured children and adults concerning injury mechanisms and pattern of injuries. Adults needed a longer mechanical ventilation and a longer ICU therapy. Most deaths could be seen in the youngest patients aged 0 to 5 years.
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The treatment of soft-tissue mallet fingers in children can be challenging because of delays in diagnosis and noncompliance with extension splinting or casting. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the results of tenodermodesis for the treatment of chronic soft-tissue mallet fingers in children. ⋯ Tenodermodesis is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of severe chronic soft-tissue mallet finger deformities in children. Although patients and families should be advised of mild persistent extensor lag and limitations in DIPJ motion, active DIPJ extension and improved clinical appearance can be achieved with this procedure.