Purpose of the study: Data are scarce on the long-term outcome after anterior spinal fusion for idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents. The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical and radiological results obtained in a monocentric series using a single-phase fusion with pre-formed plates for the treatment of lumbar, thoracolum-bar and thoracic idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents.

Material and method: This procedure was performed in 111 patients from 1975 to 1993. Complete clinical and radiological evaluations were available for 35 patients, 7 male and 28 female. The SRS-30 questionnaire (translated into French by the authors) and the Oswestry score were used to assess functional outcome. Radiographic data were collected by an independent observer who read the pre-, post- and last follow-up images. Full spine images were available to assess correction of the curvature, frontal and sagittal balance, pelvic parameters, and degenerative changes in the subjacent discs. Functional outcome was assessed in relation to the radiographic findings.

Results: Mean follow-up was 22 years (range 16–31). Mean age at surgery was 14.5 years. At last follow-up, none of the patients were unemployed because of a spinal problem and 21 women had had one or more successful pregnancies. The mean SRS-30 score was 3.8/5 and correlated with the Oswestry score (13.8%). One patient underwent revision for disc herniation and one for posterolateral lumbosacral fusion because of persistent frontal imbalance. There as a fracture of the proximal screw in six patients with no sign of nonunion. At last follow-up, the mean Cobb angle was 14 (0–42). Frontal imbalance was noted in 18 patients, mean 12 mm. In the sagittal plane, three patients presented anterior imbalance. The pelvic parameters were within the range of the general population. Signs of L5-S1 disc degeneration were noted in ten patients, with no correlation with functional outcome.

Conclusion: Anterior fusion gives good long-term functional results in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents. Patients can pursue a normal occupational and familial life. This technique has provided satisfactory correction in the frontal and sagittal planes.

Purpose of the study: Determine the prevalence and course of spinal deformations in Willi-Prader syndrome and assess the effect of treatment with growth hormone. Analyze outcome after conservative and surgical treatments.

Material and methods: We reviewed the files of 51 patients with Willi-Prader syndrome proven genetically. Spinal deformations were classed according to the SRS system. Body mass index (BMI) was determined and correlated with age and administration of growth hormone. Statistical analysis used the coefficient of correlation and the chi-square test to search for correlations between qualitative variables.

Results: There were 37 girls and 24 boys, mean age at last follow-up 10.7±6.7 years. The prevalence of scoliosis was 52% and varied according to genotype.

The prevalence of scoliosis deformations was higher in patients aged over ten years (p< 0.01). The prevalence of scoliosis was greater in female patients. Patients with BMI< 25 had a significantly lower risk of scoliosis. Treatment with growth hormone was associated with a significant decrease in risk of scoliosis. Among scoliosis patients, ten had a main curvature < 15° and were monitored. Eleven had a curvature > 15° (31±11°) and were treated with a corset. Five had a curvature > 50° and trunk imbalance and were treated surgically. Four of these patients developed serious complications.

Discussion: Scoliosis deformation is frequent in Willi-Prader syndrome. Weight control is very important and BMI should be maintained below 25 to limit the risk of scoliosis. Treatment with growth hormone helps limit BMI and thus the risk of scoliosis. For major deformations, surgical treatment is indicated but at the risk of serious postoperative complications.

Purpose: From 1985 to 2001, 31 total knee arthroplasties were performed for 17 adolescents or young adults with idiopathic juvenile osteoarthritis. The purpose of this work was to evaluate functional and radiological outcome.

Material and methods: Overall functional outcome was assessed with the Steinbrocker classification. Knee function was evaluated with the IKS score. Several types of prostheses were implanted: constrained GSB (n=14), cemented semi-constrained tri-CCC tri-compartment with a rotatory platform (n=10), non-cemented semi-constrained ROCC (n=1), LCS (n=2) including non-cemented, and FINN (n=2) (two custom-made rotation hinge prostheses implanted in the same patient). Fourteen prostheses involved bilateral implants, including three dual implantation procedures.

Results: Mean age at implantation was 20 years five months (14–29). There were fourteen girls and three boys. Eight had systemic idiopathic juvenile osteoarthritis and nine a polyarticular form. The Steinbrocker staging was: II (n=5,) III (n=6), IV or bedridden (n=4). Ten patients had two hip prostheses before bilateral knee arthroplasty. Mean follow-up was 4.5 years (1–12). Among the 31 operated knees, 16 were pain free, 14 minimally painful, and one painful due to loosening. The joint score was very good (n=18), good (n=4), and poor (n=5). Radiographically, normal alignment was found for 29 knees. Lucent lines were observed for 10 of the 14 GSB constrained prostheses. We did not observe any evidence of lucent lines for the non-cemented tri-compartment prostheses. Complications were: limited skin necrosis (n=1), bilateral supracondylar fracture one year after implantation (n=1).

Discussion: Outcome has been encouraging for total knee prostheses in patients with idiopathic juvenile osteoarthritis. These arthroplasties allow spectacular functional improvement. The few series reported have also reported very good results. Cemented tri-compartment semi-constrained implants appear to provide better stability at five years. Biologically sealed tri-compartment prostheses would be a very satisfactory solution due to the preservation of bone stock.

Purpose: Tillaux fractures correspond to type III joint fractures involving the anterolateral tubercle of the inferior tibia in the Salter and Harris classification. These fractures generally occur by external rotation in children about 13 years old at the time the medial part of inferior growth cartilage of the tibial epiphysis has fused. The purpose of the present study was to analyse long-term outcome in a retrospective series of twenty children.

Material and methods: All twenty patients underwent physical examination and a standard radiographic work-up at last follow-up. Results were classed into three categories: good (free of pain, stiffness, gait impairment, joint degeneration), faire (moderate pain and/or stiffness and/or gait impairment without joint degeneration), poor (severe pain and/or severe stiffness and/or limping and/or joint degeneration).

Results: This series included eight boys and twelve girls, mean age 12.8 years (range 3.4 – 14.9). Mean follow-up was three years eleven months (range 12 months – 8 years 9 months). Eleven patients underwent surgical treatment and nine orthopaedic treatment. The lateral segment of the growth cartilage was open in all cases but the medial segment was open in two and completely closed in six. A computed tomography scan was required in one patient to assess displacement. Outcome was considered good in eighteen patients and fair in two. These two patients had persistent pain without functional impairment at about one year follow-up.

Discussion: Overall, the long-term outcome is good for Tillaux fractures if they are correctly identified and evaluated, with computed tomography if necessary, to enable appropriate surgical or orthopaedic treatment. Inappropriate management of this joint fracture can lead to joint incongruency and secondary degeneration. Most of these fractures occur in adolescents and secondary growth impairment is negligible. This type of fracture may also occur in adults. Prognosis is excellent with adapted treatment.

Purpose of the study: Surgical treatment of degenerative spondylolisthesis generally requires spinal fusion. Arthrodesis can be achieved via an anterior or posterior approach. Over the last ten years, minimally invasive methods have been developed to limit operative trauma secondary to the anterior approach. There have however been few studies comparing outcome after this new technique with classical open surgery. The aim of this work was to compare spinal fusion achieved with a cage implanted retroperitoneoscopically with conventional screw-plate fixation using open lombotomy.

Material and methods: Sixty two patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis (L3-L4, L4-L5, L5-S1) were reviewed: 39 had had conventional spinal fusion (group 1) and 23 had undergone a minimally invasive procedure (group 2). Clinical (Beaujon score) and radiographic assessment was recorded at last follow-up. All patients in group 1 were operated on by the same surgeon via lombotomy (L3-L4 or L4-L5 fusion) or subumbilical laparotomy (L5-S1 fusion). An intersomatic graft was combined with screw-plate fixation in all cases. Patients in group 2 were also operated on by the same surgeon (different from group 1) who used a retroperitoneoscopic approach (L3-L4 or L4-L5 fusion). An intersomatic cage was filled with cancelous bone and screwed into the intersomatic space.

Results: Mean follow-up was four years in group 1 and two years in group 2. Mean Beaujon score improved from 8 to 17 in group 1 and from 9 to 16.5 in group 2. All patients achieved bone healing at last follow-up without secondary displacement or disassembly of the osteosynthesis. There were no neurological complications and no infections of the operative site. One patient in group 2 developed a vascular complication requiring conversion to classical lombotomy. Blood loss was 1100 ml in group 1 and 200 ml in group 2.

Conclusion: Anterior fusion with implantation of an intersomatic cage via retroperitoneoscopic access is a reliable and effective method for the treatment of degenerative spondylolisthesis. It reduced postoperative morbidity but must obviously comply with classical indications for lumbar fusion.