Retention and removal of children's orthopaedic metalwork is a contentious issue that has implications for current resource allocation, health economics, complication risks and can impact on future treatments. Understanding how to guide families make informed choices requires an overview of all the relevant evidence to date, and knowledge of where the evidence is lacking. Our aim was to systematically review the literature and provide a meta-analysis where possible, recommending either retention or removal. A search of the literature yielded 2420 articles, of which 22 papers were selected for the study analysis. Inclusion criteria: Any paper (evidence level I-IV) assessing the risks or benefits of retaining or removing orthopaedic metalwork in children. Exclusion criteria: Spinal implants; implant number < 40; < 75% recorded follow up; papers including implants in their analysis that always require removal; patients aged >18 years.Introduction
Materials and Methods
Gram stain microscopy is a routinely requested investigation in the evaluation of septic arthritis in both paediatric and adult patients. Recent evidence suggests that gram stain microscopy has poor diagnostic accuracy in adults with a sensitivity of only 45%, however the diagnostic accuracy remains unknown in children. We sought to establish the diagnostic utility of gram stain microscopy in the diagnosis of septic arthritis in children. We conducted a retrospective review of all patients of 16 years and under that underwent aspiration and washout of suspected septic joints in theatre from March 2005 to February 2011. Theatre data were cross referenced with microbiology results and analysed by simple descriptive methods in Excel.Background
Methods
