Our aim was to describe the mid-term appearances of the repair
process of the Achilles tendon after tenotomy in children with a
clubfoot treated using the Ponseti method. A total of 15 children (ten boys, five girls) with idiopathic
clubfoot were evaluated at a mean of 6.8 years (5.4 to 8.1) after
complete percutaneous division of the Achilles tendon. The contour
and subjective thickness of the tendon were recorded, and superficial
defects and its strength were assessed clinically. The echogenicity,
texture, thickness, peritendinous irregularities and potential for
deformation of the tendon were evaluated by ultrasonography.Aims
Patients and Methods
The use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) for the treatment of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia has been investigated in only one previous study, with promising results. The aim of this study was to determine whether rhBMP-2 might improve the outcome of this disorder. We reviewed the medical records of five patients with a mean age of 7.4 years (2.3 to 21) with congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia who had been treated with rhBMP-2 and intramedullary rodding. Ilizarov external fixation was also used in four of these patients. Radiological union of the pseudarthrosis was evident in all of them at a mean of 3.5 months (3.2 to 4) post-operatively. The Ilizarov device was removed after a mean of 4.2 months (3.0 to 5.3). These results indicate that treatment of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia using rhBMP-2 in combination with intramedullary stabilisation and Ilizarov external fixation may improve the initial rate of union and reduce the time to union. Further studies with more patients and longer follow-up are necessary to determine whether this surgial procedure may significantly enhance the outcome of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia, considering the refracture rate (two of five patients) in this small case series.
Two protocols for the operative technique and care of the pin-site with external fixation were compared prospectively. There was a total of 120 patients with 46 in group A and 74 in group B. Infection was defined as an episode of pain or inflammation at a pin site, accompanied by a discharge which was either positive on bacterial culture or responded to a course of antibiotics. Patients in group B had a lower proportion of infected pin sites (p = 0.003) and the time to the first episode of infection was longer (p <
0.001). The risk of pin-site infection is lower if attention is paid to avoiding thermal injury and local formation of haematoma during surgery and if after-care includes the use of an alcoholic antiseptic and occlusive pressure dressings.
