Journal of children's orthopaedics
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Among posterior surgical techniques for treating adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), hybrid constructs with pedicle-screw fixation in the lumbar spine and other anchors in the thoracic spine have been reported to provide to be of more physiological value in postoperative thoracic kyphosis than all-screw constructs. The Universial Clamp (UC) equipped with a soft sublaminar band is a relatively new thoracic anchor that can be used in hybrid constructs. A dedicated reduction tool that applies traction to the sublaminar band permits gentle translation of the thoracic curve to the precontoured fusion rods, which have been previously anchored distally by pedicle screws and proximally by hooks in a claw configuration. The aim of this study was to evaluate radiographic results of AIS treatment using UC hybrid constructs. ⋯ UC hybrid constructs appear to safely provide satisfying coronal correction while consistently improving thoracic kyphosis in patients who also have preoperative hypokyphosis. We hypothesize that diminution in thoracic kyphosis was consistently avoided due to the straightforward traction of the spine to the fusion rods into which the chosen kyphosis was contoured by the surgeon before applying the reduction tool to the sublaminar bands.
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To report a new locking lateral closing wedge osteotomy used in repairing pediatric supracondylar humerus fracture malunions, which allows for coronal and sagittal plane correction of both cubitus varus and extension. ⋯ Varus malunion is a well-described complication of pediatric supracondylar humerus fracture repairs, and many different osteotomy techniques have been described. This series demonstrates that an interlocking lateral wedge osteotomy with parallel lateral pin fixation can provide reliable correction of varus and extension deformity, with a minimal complication rate.