Journal of pediatric orthopedics
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The disparity in access to and delivery of health care among children has become increasingly apparent. The purpose of our study was to analyze demographic information, including health insurance status, of children with extremity injuries seen at a University Hospital emergency department (UH ED) after visiting another ED for the same complaint. ⋯ Most children with an extremity injury who received orthopaedic consultation at a tertiary-level ED after visiting another ED had an isolated fracture requiring cast treatment only. There was a trend for delay in receiving definitive orthopaedic care for patients with public health insurance compared with those with private insurance.
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: Distal femoral epiphyseal fractures are uncommon but have a high incidence rate of complications. It is not clear whether there are any reliable predictor factors and whether the type of fracture, displacement (degree and direction), and treatment method alter the outcome. ⋯ : Both SH classification and displacement of the fracture are significant predictors of the final outcome. The degree and the direction of displacement do not statistically correlate with outcome. The treatment method may influence the final outcome.
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This study evaluates the outcomes of multilevel soft tissue surgery in 31 ambulatory children (n = 39 sides) with cerebral palsy. All children had undergone rectus femoris transfer, hamstring lengthening, and gastrosoleus lengthening for the purpose of correcting sagittal plane abnormalities. There were no simultaneous bony surgeries. ⋯ A longer-term assessment of a subset of patients with a second postoperative gait analysis at a mean of 4 years after surgery showed that gains measured at 1 year were maintained during the longer term. A subgroup demonstrating a jump knee gait pattern (as defined by excessive knee flexion at initial contact followed by rapid knee extension to full knee extension in midstance) had a tendency to go into knee hyperextension in stance with resultant net knee flexor moment after surgery. This raises concern about the indications for hamstring lengthening in this patient group.
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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.