Trapezoidal Bony Correction of the Femoral Neck in the Treatment of Severe Acute‐on‐Chronic Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis

Abstract

PURPOSE: To present the first technical description of a modified surgical technique for trapezoidal bony correction of the femoral neck in the treatment of slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), performed entirely by arthroscopy. METHODS: From December 2005 to January 2008, 5 patients with severe SCFE underwent trapezoidal femoral neck bone correction through arthroscopy. Their mean age at the time of surgery was 13.2 years. The time for postoperative follow-up ranged from a minimum of 12 months to a maximum of 39 months (mean, 26 months). The study analyzed data regarding the type of slip, degree of correction obtained, clinical and functional outcomes, and complications. RESULTS: Analysis with the modified Harris Hip Score criteria showed a mean of 17.2 points preoperatively and 86.6 points at the last assessment. The mean epiphyseal deviation ranged from 82° at the initial presentation to 14° postoperatively. There were no intraoperative complications, and there was 1 case of avascular necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic treatment of SCFE resulted in correction of the angles of epiphyseal slip (from a mean epiphyseal-diaphyseal angle of 82° before surgery to 14° after surgery), with no immediate complications and 1 case of a late complication (avascular necrosis) in this 5-patient series. Clinical improvement was shown by a mean 69.4-point increase in the modified Harris Hip Score. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.