Early and middle-term results after surgical treatment for slipped capital femoral epiphysis

Objective To evaluate the early and middle-term results of in-situ single-screw fixation and subtrochanteric osteotomy of femur with external fixator for slipped capital femoral epiphysis(SCFE).Methods From June 1998 to July 2008, eleven patients (12 hips) with SCFE were treated, including 7males (8 hips) and 4 females (4 hips) with an average age of 14.3 years (range, 9-18). The average BMI was 31.1 g/m2. According to the Southwick measurement, mild (＜30°) in 6 cases (7 hips), moderate (30°-50°) in 2 cases (2 hips), and severe (＞50°) in 3 cases (3 hips). All the mild and moderate cases were undergone insitu single screw fixation, and three severe cases were performed subtrochanteric osteotomy of femur with external fixator. All the cases were evaluated at 3 months, 6 months and every year postoperatively. Results All the cases were followed up for average 5.6 years (range, 2-12). The Harris hip score increased from mean 74.8 points preoperatively to 90.6 points postoperatively, with 10 hips excellent, 1 hip good, 1 hip fair and 0 hip poor. The excellent and good rate was 91.7% (11/12). The X-ray showed the epiphyseal closure in in-situ single screw fixation cases, and no further increase in epiphyseal-shaft angle. Partial reduction of slipped epiphysis with normal joint spaces was observed in subtrochanteric osteotomy of femur with external fixator cases. Conclusion In-situ single screw fixation provides a surgical treatment option to treat mild and moderate SCFE with satisfactory clinical outcome, and profit to the prevention further slip. Subtrochanteric osteotomy of femur with external fixator is suitable for severe SCFE with late deformity. The realignment procedure can correct deformity and postpone or avoid the occurrence of osteoarthritis. Key words: Femur head;  Epiphyses;  Osteotomy;  External, fixators