Identification of the paediatric orthopaedic patient at high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) can allow a targeted approach to thromboprophylaxis. There is currently no national consensus on the correct method of risk assessment in this patient group. The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital has developed a guideline using the evidence available to allow stratification of risk for the paediatric orthopaedic patient. A list of departments offering specialist paediatric orthopaedic surgery was obtained from the member list of the British Society of Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeons (BSCOS). These hospitals were contacted via telephone interview to determine if they have a specific guideline or risk assessment proforma for paediatric VTE risk. A total of 74 hospitals were identified with a specialist paediatric orthopaedic practice in the United Kingdom. A response rate was gained from 100% of these hospitals. Only 3/74 of these hospitals had a guideline or protocol in place for the formal assessment of VTE risk in the paediatric patient (Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore; Sheffield Children's Hospital; Barts & the London NHS Trust). All three hospitals were able to provide details of their guideline. Both the RNOH and Barts & the London commented that their guideline was based on that of the Sheffield group, with adaptations for their own requirements. The majority of hospitals in the UK with a paediatric orthopaedic interest do not have guidance available for the management of VTE risk. Presented here is the outcome of using the limited evidence available, in combination with expert opinion, to develop a guideline suitable for the requirements of a paediatric unit in an orthopaedic hospital. This may be of benefit to other units producing their own guidelines, producing thought and discussion as to the specific requirements of paediatric patients undergoing orthopaedic procedures

Introduction. No previous studies have attempted to measure parental satisfaction and service quality in regards to paediatric orthopaedic service inpatient care. We performed a prospective observational study to assess parental satisfaction with the level of service provided for paediatric orthopaedic inpatient care in our unit. Methods. We employed the validated Swedish parent satisfaction questionnaire to generate parental satisfaction data from 104 paediatric orthopaedic hospital inpatients between August 2009 and May 2010 (49 elective and 55 trauma paediatric orthopaedic admissions, median age range 2–6 years). Questions focused on eight domains of quality: Information on illness, information on routines, accessibility, medical treatment, care processes, staff attitudes, parent participation and staff work environment. Scores generated were a percentage of the maximum achievable for that quality index, for example 100% would correspond to a parent awarding all questions for that index the highest possible score. Results. Overall combined scores for the care indices were highest for parent's perception of ‘medical treatment’ (95%) and ‘staff attitudes’ (95%). The medical treatment index includes questions regarding staff member's skill and competence. Lowest scores corresponded to the index' information routines' (86%). Conclusion. Information routines applies to parental awareness of ward rounds, to whom questions should be directed and which doctors/nursing staff are responsible for their child's care. Lower scores in relation to this index were substantiated by comments from relatives requesting greater information provision. The types of information parents required was routinely provided suggesting that retention rather than lack of information is the main issue. Provision of information pamphlets tailored to common injuries or elective procedures might prove an effective method for improving this aspect of care and increasing overall parental satisfaction with paediatric orthopaedic inpatient service

Systematic reviews (SR) can provide physicians with effective means to further strengthen their practice and identify gaps in clinical knowledge. The focus of any SR is to identify the current state of evidence for a given treatment or condition, with the hopes of providing the best interventional methods physicians can base their practice on. In paediatric orthopaedics, high-level studies are lacking, thus potentially limiting the effectiveness of SRs in the field. There isn't one specific way to qualify research on its effectiveness, but there has been gradual enhancement in finding ways to identify a successful and reproducible study. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of paediatric orthopaedic SRs, and highlight aspects of these SRs that have contributed to improved outcomes. A literature review was performed in EMBASE, MEDLINE and Cochrane databases to identify pre-existing systematic reviews that have been published in five well-known orthopaedic journals between 2007 and 2017. SRs were included if the study population was between 0 and 18 years of age. Selected articles had an AMSTAR checklist applied in order to score the studies on their quality and methodology. Articles were independently reviewed by two reviewers to determine the extent of AMSTAR guidelines fulfillment. A total of 40 SRs were identified and reviewed, 20 of which partially or completely fulfilled AMSTAR guidelines. There was no disagreement between reviewers as to which of the analyzed articles have successfully reflected the checklist. Only 20/40 SRs analyzed at least partially fulfilled AMSTAR guidelines. One of the weaknesses identified in the reviewed papers so far is the lack of justification for the chosen study designs for SRs and what strategy was used to decide on the exclusion of articles. There needs to be clear-cut criteria that mark studies to be included and excluded in a comprehensive systematic review. Further improvements are required to ensure that full details on the involvement of papers and the success rates regarding each interventional method are included in order to strengthen the quality of SRs across the paediatric orthopaedic literature

Aims. To determine the impact of COVID-19 on orthopaediatric admissions and fracture clinics within a regional integrated care system (ICS). Methods. A retrospective review was performed for all paediatric orthopaedic patients admitted across the region during the recent lockdown period (24 March 2020 to 10 May 2020) and the same period in 2019. Age, sex, mechanism, anatomical region, and treatment modality were compared, as were fracture clinic attendances within the receiving regional major trauma centre (MTC) between the two periods. Results. Paediatric trauma admissions across the region fell by 33% (197 vs 132) with a proportional increase to 59% (n = 78) of admissions to the MTC during lockdown compared with 28.4% in 2019 (N = 56). There was a reduction in manipulation under anaesthetic (p = 0.015) and the use of Kirschner wires (K-wires) (p = 0.040) between the two time periods. The median time to surgery remained one day in both (2019 IQR 0 to 2; 2020 IQR 1 to 1). Supracondylar fractures were the most common reason for fracture clinic attendance (17.3%, n = 19) with a proportional increase of 108.4% vs 2019 (2019 n = 20; 2020 n = 19) (p = 0.007). While upper limb injuries and falls from play apparatus, equipment, or height remained the most common indications for admission, there was a reduction in sports injuries (p < 0.001) but an increase in lacerations (p = 0.031). Fracture clinic management changed with 67% (n = 40) of follow-up appointments via telephone and 69% (n = 65) of patients requiring cast immobilization treated with a 3M Soft Cast, enabling self-removal. The safeguarding team saw a 22% reduction in referrals (2019: n = 41, 2020: n = 32). Conclusion. During this viral pandemic, the number of trauma cases decreased with a change in the mechanism of injury, median age of presentation, and an increase in referrals to the regional MTC. Adaptions in standard practice led to fewer MUA, and K-wire procedures being performed, more supracondylar fractures managed through clinic and an increase in the use of removable cast. Cite this article: Bone Joint Open 2020;1-7:424–430

There is currently no standardised complication grading classification routinely used for paediatric orthopaedic surgical procedures. The Clavien-Dindo classification used in general surgery was modified and validated in 2011 by Sink et al. and has been used regularly to classify complications following hip preservation surgery. The aim of this study was to adapt and validate Sink et al.'s modification of the Clavien-Dindo classification system for grading complications following surgical interventions of the upper and lower extremities and spine in paediatric orthopaedic patients. Sink et al.'s modification of the Clavien-Dindo classification system was further modified for paediatric orthopaedic procedures. The modified grading scheme was based on the treatment required to treat the complication and the long term morbidity of the complication. Grade I complications do not require deviation from standard treatment. Grade II complications deviate from the normal post-operative course and require outpatient treatment. Grade III complications require investigations, re-admission or re-operation. Grade IV complications are limb or life threatening or have a potential for permanent disability (IVa: with no long term disability and IVb: with long-term disability). Grade V complications result in death. Forty-five complication scenarios were developed. Seven paediatric orthopaedic surgeons were trained to use the modified system and they each graded the scenarios on two occasions. The scenarios were presented in a different random order each time they were graded. Fleiss' and Cohen's k statistics were performed to test for inter-rater and intra-rater reliabilities, respectively. The overall Fleiss' k value for inter-rater reliability was 0.772 (95% CI, 0.744–0.799). The weighted k was 0.765 (95% CI, 0.703–0.826) for Grade I, 0.692 (95% CI, 0.630–0.753) for Grade II, 0.733 (95% CI, 0.671–0.795) for Grade III, 0.657(95% CI, 0.595–0.719) for Grade IVa, 0.769 (95% CI, 0.707–0.83) for Grade IVb and 1.000 for Grade V (p value <0.001). The Cohen's k value for intra-rater reliability was 0.918 (95% CI, 0.887–0.947). These tests show that the adapted classification system has high inter- and intra-rater reliabilities for grading complications following paediatric orthopaedic surgery. Given the high intra- and inter-rater reliability and simplicity of this system, adoption of this grading scheme as a standard of reporting complications in paediatric orthopaedic surgery could be considered. Since the evaluation of surgical outcomes should include the ability to reliably grade surgical complications, this reproducible, reliable system to assess paediatric surgical complications will be a valuable tool for improving surgical practices and patient outcomes

We conducted a retrospective analysis of all elective Paediatric Orthopaedics referrals during the period 1998–1999 made by general practitioners to one of the two Paediatric Orthopaedic consultants in a moderate sized district general hospital serving a population of approximately 300, 000 with a delivery rate of approximately 3000 live births per year. This study was taken with a view to assess the spectrum of elective Paediatric Orthopaedic referral quality of work generated and to find out the final outcome and hence try to improve resource utilisation. We found out that majority of cases (85%) needed simple assurances or supportive measures, a task that can be easily shared by a trained clinical assistant along with the consultant and routine clinical cases are not adequately covered in Paediatric Orthopaedics courses for trainees. During 1999, a total of 120 new elective Paediatric Orthopaedic referrals from GPs were seen in 600 bedded district general hospital by one of the Paediatric Orthopaedics consultants out of the 2 in the hospital. Case notes were analysed for age of patient, sex, joint affected, reason for referral, diagnosis made and the outcome following consultation. The outcome was measured in the form of whether the patient had an operation, was referred to Physiotherapy, orthotics, kept under observation (include masterly inactivity), referred to other subspecialty or reassured and discharged. Mean age of presentation was 7. 8 years and there was near equal presentation of boys and girls. Maximum cases were referred for knee problems 32 (26. 67%), hip 28 (23. 33%), foot 18 (15%), general 18(15%). Majority of patients referred need simple assurance to parents and majority of patients seen in Clinics need no operation (85%), indicating that Orthopaedic Surgeons need to spend more time on reassuring parents than on operation, a task that can be easily shared by a trained Clinical Assistant. In majority of Paediatric Orthopaedic training courses, main emphasis is on complex conditions like Perthes’ disease. CDH or slipped capital epiphysis whereas these conditions constitute a minor part of clinical situations. Other common conditions like Inteoing gait, anterior Knee pain, Osteochondritis, flatfeet and other common problems including the normal variants should also be included in the courses so trainees can deal after these clinical problem in a better way in Outpatients

The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of the implementation of a LEAN continuous process improvement initiative on the waitlist in an ambulatory pediatric orthopaedic clinic. LEAN is a set of principles that guide organizational thinking and form a comprehensive approach to continuous process improvement. In 2016, our health centre began its journey towards becoming a LEAN organization. The health centre's Strategy and Performance portfolio collaborated with the Orthopaedic Clinic Team to facilitate a Value Stream Analysis, which mapped the clinic process from referral to discharge from care. This informed the plan for targeted improvement events designed to identify and reduce non-value added activity, while partnering with patients and families to share their experiences with care in the clinic. Improvement events included: In-Clinic Patient Flow; Scheduling Process Review; Standardized Triage Process; Clinician Schedule; 5-S Large Cast and Sample Exam Rooms; Booking Orthopedics Clinic; and Travelling and Remote Care. During each event, solutions were identified to improve the patient experience, access, and clinic flow. These solutions have been standardized, documented, and continuously monitored to identify additional improvement opportunities. Comparison of wait-list and percentage of new patients seen within target window was performed from August 2017 to December 2018. The LEAN initiative resulted in a 48% decrease in wait-list for new patients, which translated to an improvement from 39% to 70% of new patients seen within their target window. There was a 19% decrease in the 3400+ patient wait-list for follow-up appointments, an 85% reduction in follow-up patients waiting past their target date for an appointment, and the number of patients waiting over a year beyond their target appointment improved from over 300 patients to 0 patients. There was a 15% improvement in average length of clinic visit. Without the addition of new resources, the implementation of a LEAN continuous process improvement initiative improved the waitlist for new patients in an ambulatory pediatric orthopaedic clinic by almost 50%. Solutions identified and implemented through the LEAN process have contributed to unprecedented improvements in access to care. In fulfilling one of the LEAN theory principles to “pursue perfection”, the paediatric orthopaedic clinic team has embraced a culture of continuous improvement and continues to use LEAN tools such as daily huddles and visual management to monitor solutions and identify gaps

Purpose. In recent years, it has become increasingly common to publish the level of evidence of orthopaedic research in journal publications. Our primary research question is: is there an improvement in the levels of evidence of articles published in paediatric orthopaedic journals over time? In addition, what is the current status of levels of evidence in paediatric orthopaedic journals?. Methods. All articles in the Journal of Paediatric Orthopaedics-A and Journal of Paediatric Orthopaedics-B for 2001, 2002, 2007 and 2008, and in the Journal of Children's Orthopaedics for 2007 and 2008, were collected. Animal, cadaveric and basic science studies, expert opinion and review articles were then excluded. The 750 remaining articles were blinded and put in random order. The abstract, introduction and methods of each article were independently reviewed. According to the currently accepted grading system, study type (therapeutic, prognostic, diagnostic, economic) and level of evidence (I, II, III, IV) were assigned. Inter- and intra-observer reliability were investigated. Results. There were no statistically significant differences in the study type or levels of evidence in articles published before and after 2003. Of articles published during 2007/2008, 2.1% were graded as Level I, 3.6% as Level II, 17.4% as Level III, and 41.8% as Level IV. JPO-A published 5.7% Level I studies, while JPO-B and JCO published 4.9% and 4.6%, respectively. JPO-A published a lower percentage of Level III and IV studies as compared to JPO-B and JCO. The inter-observer reliability for study type and levels of evidence was high (kappa 0.921 and 0.860, respectively). The intra-observer reliability was moderate (kappa 0.842 and 0.613, respectively). Conclusion. Since the introduction of levels of evidence to journals in 2003, there has been minimal change in the quality of evidence in paediatric orthopaedic publications. Paediatric orthopaedic articles can be reliably graded by non-epidemiologically trained individuals

Purpose. Clinical coding is used to record information from patient admissions in the form of coded data used for monitoring the provision of health services and trends, research, audit and NHS financial planning. Method. A sample of 105 cases admitted to Southampton General paediatric orthopaedic department from 2006-9 was used. 31 admissions were grouped using HRG4 and the remaining 74 using HRG3.5. Accuracy of coding was calculated by establishing correct discharge coding and comparing them with coding records. The correct codes were run through HRG 3.5 and 4 payment groupers and their outcomes were compared financially to the HRG codes these admissions were actually grouped under. Results. There were 800 interventions which should have been coded over 148 patient episodes. Of these 442 (55%) were not coded, 189 (24%) were coded inappropriately and 169 (21%) were coded correctly. The HRG3.5 group was coded 18% correctly, the HRG4 29% correctly. However, 70% of the HRG4 and 49% of the HRG 3.5 group were inaccurately grouped. The resulting deficit was a £54,352 (HRG4-£36,711, HRG3.5-£17,641) an average of £507 per patient stay. A conservative estimate of 150 ward admissions monthly means a projected loss of £912,600 per annum. The fractured radius and ulna group (one of the most common causes of admission) suffered greatest financial losses. Additional losses come from paediatric/orthopaedic top-ups (63% and 14% respectively) as only one can be applied to each HRG. Conclusion. The implementation of HRG4 means accuracy is crucial as smaller inaccuracies result in bigger costing discrepancies than with HRG 3.5. Financial losses are larger with paediatric orthopaedics from inadequate top-ups. This system of Payment by Estimates not Results is only acceptable if financial underestimates are balanced with financial overestimates. These results strongly suggest this is not happening

There have been major changes in practice in Orthopaedics and Anaesthetics in Britain over recent years. The Royal College of Anaesthetists in Britain in its document on the provision of paediatric services stated that the anaesthetic service for children should be led by consultants who anaesthetise children regularly. This has affected the range of conditions that Orthopaedic Surgeons in District General Hospitals have been able to operate. The Children’s Orthopaedic Group in the North West Region of England was surveyed in 1996 and 2001. Age limits for elective procedures and the range of procedures performed were analysed. The orthopaedic procedures looked at were for scoliosis, DDH / Dysplasia, Perthes’ disease, CTEV, Leg lengthening and genu varum/valgum. The demographic map of the region was studied. This highlighted the variation in Children’s Orthopaedic Services in the region. Some large population centres had minimal Paediatric Orthopaedic Services. In 1996, 91% of non children’s hospitals could perform elective surgery on children under 1 compared to 60% in 1996. The average minimum age for elective surgery in District General Hospitals increased from 8.5 months in 1996 to 17 months in 2001. Baseline services are needed at each DGH to support the paediatric units. These services should include gait abnormalities, conservative treatment of CTEV, postural problems, straight forward cerebral palsy, assessment of hip instability and Perthes disease. Paediatric physiotherapists and Community Paediatricians may be involved in this aspect of care as part of the Multidisciplinary team. A hub and spoke regional service may be required where paediatric orthopaedic specialists undertake outreach clinics in District General Hospitals in order to assess more complex problems such as resistant CTEV, DDH and complex Cerebral Palsy. Such a system already exists in other specialities such as paediatric neurology. Clinical networks may improve service standards

‘Safety’ is at the centre of surgical practice with the aim of minimising the risks of complications and adverse events. Much evidence, based on either retrospective case series or prospective cohorts, concerns the frequency of adverse events. There may be a temptation to describe a procedure as ‘safe’ if no – or few – serious adverse events (the numerator) have occurred out of a number of procedures performed (the denominator). In 1983, Hanley and Lippman-Hand described a simple algorithm to calculate the 95% upper Confidence Interval for data sets in which the numerator is zero (ie series in which there no adverse events). Paediatric orthopaedics suffers from small datasets which may make its researchers especially prone to the erroneous attribution of procedures being ‘safe’. The aim of the current study was to formally assess the evidence on which paediatric orthopaedic surgical procedures are described as ‘safe’. In particular, the objective was to ascertain the proportion of studies describing a procedure as ‘safe’ which achieved a 95% upper limit Confidence Interval of risk of 5% for major adverse events. We examined all papers published by the Journal of Paediatric Orthopaedics in the previous 5 years searching for the single term ‘safe’. 84 papers were returned and 71 were considered appropriate for analysis. Of these 60 papers positively identified their intervention as ‘safe’. These papers were read in full and the number of interventions was recorded along with the rate of complication. 66 data sets were created and the 95% upper confidence interval was calculated for complication rates. Only 16 out of 66 data sets could safely predict a major complication rate of under 5%. Our work would tend to suggest that a failure to apply proper statistical tools is leading to procedures being erroneously classified as safe in the published literature

An audit of general practitioner (GP) Paediatric orthopaedic referrals to our hospital (1996) revealed that the average waiting time was 84 weeks for non-urgent simple conditions. A physiotherapy specialist clinic was set up to reduce waiting times for non-urgent, new general practitioner Paediatric Orthopaedic referrals. To review the outcome at a minimum of 12 months of 1046 consecutive referrals to the Physiotherapy Specialist clinic and to analyse its effectiveness. 114 patients failed to attend the clinic. The remaining 932 patients form the basis of this study. Outcome measures included reduction in the waiting times, patient satisfaction, number of re-referrals to the clinic from the general practitioners and cost-effectiveness. 93% of these patients were managed without direct consultant intervention 71. 6% with advice and reassurance, 16. 9% by referral to the physiotherapy department and 4% with surgical appliances. Only 7% needed consultant evaluation. Waiting time for non-urgent conditions was reduced from 84 weeks in May 1996 to 5 weeks in May 1999. A majority of the parents were satisfied with the clinic. The clinic was found to be cost-effective. The physiotherapy specialist clinic was effective in reducing waiting times for new non-urgent Paediatric Orthopaedic referrals. The success of the clinic was attributable to good co-operation between the consultant and physiotherapist and a well-defined protocol for assessment and management of patients

Background. Vitamin D deficiency may increase predisposition to a number of paediatric orthopaedic conditions and the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is increasing in children in developed countries. The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiology of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in children presenting to a regional paediatric orthopaedic service. We also examined the relationships between vitamin D status, social deprivation and ethnicity. Methods. Individuals, age < 18 years, presenting to the regional paediatric orthopaedic service at Southampton, UK from 2008 to 2010 were investigated. Deprivation index scores were calculated from indices of deprivation. Results. 187 children (97 male, 90 female, mean age 7.1 years) underwent serum 25-(OH) D level measurement. 82% were white British and 11% of Asian ethnicity. The calculation of the total depravation index for the whole cohort showed 34 (18%) of subjects were in quartile 1 (least deprived), 54 (29%) in quartile 2, 49 (26%) in quartile 3 and 50 (27%) in quartile 4 (Most deprived). 60 (32%) had vitamin D insufficiency with 25-(OH) levels < 50nmol/l and 15 (8%) had vitamin D deficiency. No relation ship was identified between vitamin D level and social depravation score. Conclusions. There is a need for awareness of the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the paediatric orthopaedic population presenting with bone pain and lower limb deformity before commencing ‘observation or orthopaedic surgical treatment’

Purpose. Pediatric orthopaedic surgeons encounter referrals from primary care practitioners and pediatricians that are benign in nature or within accepted limitations for physiological musculoskeletal variance. These referrals are believed to be secondary to insufficient pediatric musculoskeletal expertise and consume already limited pediatric orthopaedic resources. To date, our annual CME course dedicated to pediatric musculoskeletal medicine is the only one of its kind in Canada. It includes didactic teaching as well as a clinic of unnecessary referrals in which participants examine patients and receive feedback from consultants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a pediatric musculoskeletal CME course on the quality of local outpatient referrals over a four year period. Method. Retrospective chart reviews were performed to evaluate outpatient referrals at a tertiary orthopaedic center over an eight month period prior to the commencement of an annual CME course (2006–2007) and three years following its initiation (2010). 1041 consecutive referrals from the first time period and 1124 consecutive referrals from the second time period were collected. Referrals for normal conditions within physiological tolerance were identified based on the final clinical diagnosis by the consultant orthopaedic surgeon and the scheduled follow up. Results. 872 referrals from the first time period and 1006 referrals from the second time period were provided by primary care practitioners and pediatricians. Prior to the CME course, 27.7% of referrals were for physiological conditions. These referrals were most often associated with specific benign diagnoses: torsional variation (88%) and flexible flatfoot (45%). Three years following the induction of the CME course, referrals for physiological conditions from family physicians decreased by 20.1%. Conclusion. Results from this study suggest that a pediatric musculoskeletal CME course designed for family physicians and pediatricans is an effective method for reducing unnecessary local pediatric orthopaedic referrals. We advocate that additional CME initiatives based on our annual course be implemented in communities across Canada in order to improve patient care and optimize the outpatient referral process

Paediatric musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders often produce severe limb deformities, that may require surgical correction. This may be challenging, especially in case of multiplanar, multifocal and/or multilevel deformities. The increasing implementation of novel technologies, such as virtual surgical planning (VSP), computer aided surgical simulation (CASS) and 3D-printing is rapidly gaining traction for a range of surgical applications in paediatric orthopaedics, allowing for extreme personalization and accuracy of the correction, by also reducing operative times and complications. However, prompt availability and accessible costs of this technology remain a concern. Here, we report our experience using an in-hospital low-cost desk workstation for VSP and rapid prototyping in the field of paediatric orthopaedic surgery. From April 2018 to September 2022 20 children presenting with congenital or post-traumatic deformities of the limbs requiring corrective osteotomies were included in the study. A conversion procedure was applied to transform the CT scan into a 3D model. The surgery was planned using the 3D generated model. The simulation consisted of a virtual process of correction of the alignment, rotation, lengthening of the bones and choosing the level, shape and direction of the osteotomies. We also simulated and calculated the size and position of hardware and customized massive allografts that were shaped in clean room at the hospital bone bank. Sterilizable 3D models and PSI were printed in high-temperature poly-lactic acid (HTPLA), using a low-cost 3D-printer. Twenty-three operations in twenty patients were performed by using VSP and CASS. The sites of correction were: leg (9 cases) hip (5 cases) elbow/forearm (5 cases) foot (5 cases) The 3D printed sterilizable models were used in 21 cases while HTPLA-PSI were used in five cases. customized massive bone allografts were implanted in 4 cases. No complications related to the use of 3D printed models or cutting guides within the surgical field were observed. Post-operative good or excellent radiographic correction was achieved in 21 cases. In conclusion, the application of VSP, CASS and 3D-printing technology can improve the surgical correction of complex limb deformities in children, helping the surgeon to identify the correct landmarks for the osteotomy, to achieve the desired degree of correction, accurately modelling and positioning hardware and bone grafts when required. The implementation of in-hospital low-cost desk workstations for VSP, CASS and 3D-Printing is an effective and cost-advantageous solution for facilitating the use of these technologies in daily clinical and surgical practice

Aim. Assess the incidence of Vitamin D deficiency from a cohort of new referrals to a general Paediatric Orthopaedic outpatient clinic and evaluate the relationship between Vitamin D deficiency and the diagnosis of radiological or biochemical nutritional rickets. Methods. We performed a retrospective case note and biochemistry database review of all new patients seen in an elective Paediatric Orthopaedic clinic in the year 2010, who had Vitamin D levels measured. Radiographs were reviewed by the senior author to determine the presence or absence of radiological rickets. Biochemical rickets was diagnosed if there was deficient Vitamin D (< 20 mcg/ml) and raised PTH. Results. We identified 115 children with a mean age of 10.95 years (95% CI 10.24 to 11.68). There were 63 females, 52 males and 51 were of Asian ethnicity. The mean vitamin D level was 18.27mcg/ml (95% CI 16.13 to 20.41). One hundred and three patients (88%) were found to have sub-optimum vitamin D levels. Although, males and those of Asian origin were more likely to be deficient, this was not statistically significant. Winter/Springtime blood sampling was statistically more likely to show Vitamin D deficiency than in Summer/Autumn. Three Asian female children (2.61%) had radiological rickets. The association between low Vitamin D levels (< 20) and radiological or biochemical rickets had poor positive predictive values PPV. Conclusion. Suboptimal Vitamin D levels are common in children presenting with vague limb or back pain, suggesting ‘growing pains’ might reflect deficiency. Vitamin D levels cannot be used as a screening test for the diagnosis of radiological or biochemical ‘rickets’ due to its poor Positive Predictive Value. Further research into Vitamin D requirement is necessary, particularly in relation to growth and age, as growth is not linear and Vitamin D requirement is likely to vary accordingly

Aim. The use of intraoperative cell salvage as a tool for reducing allogenic transfusion has been demonstrated in pelvic osteotomies. The aims of this audit were to identify any problems or complications with cell salvage, reduction in allogenic transfusion and identify procedures that would benefit. Methods. The use of cell salvage and allogenic transfusions were prospectively recorded over a 27-month period for all those who had major non spinal surgery looking at whether cell-salvage reduced allogenic transfusions and where cell salvage was used it was matched to procedure, diagnosis and age with cases where it was not used over the same time period. Results. Cell salvage was used in 61 cases. For these, average blood loss was 624mls and re-transfused volume 176mls (range=0-888mls). There were no complications. 4 problems occurred, 2 where suction became desterilised and 2 with insufficient sample to process. Of those that were matched, 3/55 cases required allogenic transfusion versus 11/55 that did not have cell salvage (p=0.03). Sub group analysis according to procedure did not reach significance. Excluding those with osteogenesis imperfecta, no isolated femoral osteotomy required allogenic transfusion (total number=48). Conclusion. Overall its use has reduced the number of children receiving allogenic blood and negates the need to cross match preoperatively. Group and save sample is probably sufficient for most major paediatric orthopaedic surgery with cell salvage. The specific indications for cell salvage have not been identified by this study, though useful in OI

The promotion and practice of evidence-based medicine necessitates a critical evaluation of medical literature including the “gold standard” of randomised clinical trials. Recent studies have examined the quality of randomised clinical trials in various surgical specialties, but no study has focused on pediatric orthopedics. The purpose of this study was to assess and describe the quality of randomised clinical trials published in the last ten years in journals with high clinical impact in pediatric orthopaedics. All of the randomised clinical trials in pediatric orthopedics published in five well-recognised journals between 1995–2005 were reviewed using the Detsky Quality Assessment Scale. The mean percentage score on the Detsky Scale was 53% (95% CI: 46%–60%). Only seven (19%) of the articles satisfied the threshold for a satisfactory level of methodologic quality (Detsky > 75%). The majority of randomised clinical trials in pediatric orthopedics that are published in well-recognised, peer-reviewed journals demonstrate substantial deficiencies in methodologic 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 in order to avoid inadvertent misinformation of the clinical community

Introduction. Albania is one of the poorest countries in Western European with a GDP per capita standing at 26 percent of the EU average in 2010. Whilst there is government-funded universal free provision of healthcare, it is accepted that delivery is patchy, not accessible to all and lacking expertise for more complex paediatric orthopaedic conditions. With the sponsorship of a UK-based charity, we have set up and completed 5 visits to Albania (3 assessment and 2 operative) to provide additional expertise for paediatric orthopaedic disorders running parallel to and utilising currently available local services. We present the results of this treatment and training programme to date. Patients and methods. Between 2008 and 2011, we assessed 204 children and adolescents with paediatric orthopaedic disorders in Tirana and Durres on 3 separate visits. Of these, 28 were listed for surgical procedures whilst the rest were treated non-operatively. Of the listed patients, 14 patients underwent surgical intervention (total of 18 procedures). Results. The most common diagnoses were developmental dysplasia of the hip, club feet, cerebral palsy and scoliosis. Most patients were treated non-operatively with advice and/or reassurance. Of those listed for surgery, the reasons for cancellation included problems with access to the treating hospital and failure to establish patient contact on the day of admission. Of the operated patients, the procedures performed, the perioperative challenges and significant complications (2/18) will be discussed. Conclusion. Although it is viable to establish parallel service delivery of paediatric orthopaedic surgical services in countries such as Albania, the perioperative and social challenges must be considered

Purpose This was an observational study to determine the prevalence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D deficiency in our paediatric orthopaedic patient population. Methods We have measured serum 25(OH)D levels in 44 paediatric patients who presented with bone pain. None of these patients had a pre-existing diagnosis of 25(OH)D deficiency. The age of patients ranged from 11 months to 16.5 years. There were 23 female and 21 male patients. The range of diagnoses included hip pain/irritable hip (4), Blount's disease (4), developmental hip dysplasia (7), genu valgum (3), Legg Calve Perthes’ disease (6), slipped capital femoral epiphysis (11), knee pain (3), other (6). Those found to be 25(OH)D deficient underwent further biochemical investigation and were referred for paediatric endocrinology review with a view to vitamin D supplementation. Results We found 9 patients (20%) with serum 25(OH)D levels of <20ng/mL indicating 25(OH)D deficiency. 17 patients (39%) had serum 25(OH)D levels in the range 20-30ng/mL indicating possible deficiency. The remaining 18 patients (41%) had a normal level of 25(OH)D. There was no association between low serum 25(OH)D level and any specific diagnosis, nor with gender or age of patient. There was, however, a statistically significant difference between the serum 25(OH)D level in those patients with unexplained joint pain (mean 22.5ng/mL) and those with other diagnoses (mean 30.7ng/ml) (P<0.05). Conclusion Our results are consistent with other recent prevalence studies showing a concerning level of 25(OH)D deficiency among the paediatric population, and may suggest an increasing burden of disease in the coming years arising from the problem