Assessment of Lowest Instrumented Vertebra Tilt on Radiographic Measurements in Lenke "C" Modifier Curves Undergoing Selective Thoracic Fusion in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Study Design: Multicenter, retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to determine how the amount of residual lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV) tilt correlates with radiographic measurements.

Summary Of Background Data: When performing a selective thoracic posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), the LIV may be tilted into the lumbar curve or made horizontal.

Intraoperative Hypothermia is Common, but not Associated With Blood Loss or Transfusion in Pediatric Posterior Spinal Fusion.

Background: Intraoperative hypothermia may be associated with increased blood loss due to the effects of temperature on clotting but this has not been evaluated in the setting of pediatric posterior spinal fusion (PSF). The purpose of this study was to determine if a correlation exists between intraoperative hypothermia and estimated blood loss (EBL) or transfusion requirements in pediatric patients undergoing PSF.

Methods: A retrospective review of consecutive patients undergoing PSF for scoliosis at a single institution between 6/2004 and 3/2012 was performed.

Assessment of Lowest Instrumented Vertebra Tilt on Radiographic Measurements in Lenke "C" Modifier Curves Undergoing Selective Thoracic Fusion in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Study Design: Multicenter, retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to determine how the amount of residual lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV) tilt correlates with radiographic measurements. When performing a selective thoracic posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), the LIV may be tilted into the lumbar curve or made horizontal.

Accessory Navicular is Associated With Wider and More Prominent Navicular Bone in Pediatric Patients by Radiographic Measurement.

Background: Accessory navicular (AN) is a common anatomic variant that is known to cause medial foot pain. Surgery may be required for excision if conservative measures fail. Often, the medial border of the navicular is excised in addition to the AN during surgery.

Safety and Efficacy of Power-Assisted Pedicle Tract Preparation and Screw Placement.

Study Design: Retrospective review of 1 surgeon's posterior spinal fusion cases.

Objectives: To assess the safety and efficacy of using power tools versus using manual tools to create pedicle tracts and place pedicle screws.

Summary Of Background Data: This is the first study to report on the safety and efficacy of pedicle tract creation and pedicle screw placement using power tools.

Fever is common postoperatively following posterior spinal fusion: infection is an uncommon cause.

Objective: To determine the frequency and clinical significance of postoperative fever in pediatric patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion (PSF).

Study Design: A retrospective chart review was performed for consecutive patients undergoing PSF at a single institution between June 2005 and April 2011, with a minimum of 2-year follow up. Exclusion criteria were previous spine surgery, a combined anterior-posterior approach, and delayed wound closure at the time of surgery.

Foam padding in casts accommodates soft tissue swelling and provides circumferential strength after fixation of supracondylar humerus fractures.

Background: Varying casting techniques are used after surgical treatment of pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures. The goals are to maintain fracture reduction, while accommodating soft tissue swelling and minimizing the risk of compartment syndrome.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of consecutive patients aged 0 to 14 years who underwent surgical treatment of supracondylar humerus fractures over a 9½-year period at a pediatric trauma center was performed.

Treatment of femur fractures in young children: a multicenter comparison of flexible intramedullary nails to spica casting in young children aged 2 to 6 years.

Background: Spica casting is the standard of care for femur fractures in children up to 6 years of age. The indications for surgery are controversial. We sought to compare immediate spica casting (Spica) and flexible intramedullary nailing [titanium elastic nailing (TEN)] in a group of children ages 2 to 6 years.

Predicting the need for surgical intervention in patients with idiopathic clubfoot.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the early factors associated with the need for surgical interventions in patients with idiopathic clubfoot treated with the Ponseti method.

Methods: All patients with idiopathic clubfoot treated with Ponseti method at our institution with >3 years of follow-up were evaluated. Age at presentation, history of previous treatment, number of casts used, need for percutaneous Achilles tenotomy (PAT), age of initiation of foot abduction orthosis (FAO), compliance with FAO, and need for additional casts were recorded.

Comparison of outcomes after posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic and neuromuscular scoliosis: does the surgical first assistant's level of training matter?

Study Design: This was a retrospective review of posterior spinal fusion surgical procedures in patients diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) or neuromuscular scoliosis (NMS).

Objective: The purpose was to determine if the first assistant's training experience is associated with outcomes in AIS and NMS surgical procedures.

Summary Of Background Data: A previous study found that patients with AIS undergoing posterior spinal fusion with 2 attendings had similar operating times, blood loss, and complication rates compared with those with a resident or fellow first assistant.