This paper presents the application of a low-cost 3D printing technology in pre-operative planning and intra-operative decision-making. Starting from Computed Tomography (CT) scans, we were able to reconstruct a 3D model of the area of interest with a very simple and rapid workflow, using open-source software and an entry level 3D printer. The use of High Temperature Poly-Lactic Acid (HTPLA) by ProtoPasta allowed fabricating sterilizable models, which could be used within the surgical field. We believe that our method is an appealing alternative to high-end commercial products, being superior for cost and speed of production. It could be advantageous especially for small and less affluent hospitals that could produce customized sterilizable tools with little investment and high versatility.

Background: Neglected fractures of the lateral humeral condyle (LHC) are misdiagnosed or insufficiently treated fractures, presenting later than 3 weeks after injury. The management of neglected LHC fractures in children remains controversial. Methods: Twenty-seven children were included in this retrospective study. Charts and medical records were investigated for demographics, time interval between injury and treatment, and type of treatment. Baseline radiographs were assessed for fracture grading and displacement. Final radiographs were investigated for bone healing, avascular necrosis, elbow deformities and growth disturbances. Complications were classified by the Clavien–Dindo–Sink (CDS) system. Outcomes were assessed according to the Dhillon Score (DhiS) and Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS). Results: The mean time from injury to presentation was 27 months. Treatments included nonoperative management (6 patients), “in-situ” fixation (7 patients), open reduction and internal fixation (11 patients) and corrective osteotomy (3 patients). The mean follow-up was 7 years (range: 2–16). Overall, we observed complications in 16 patients (59%); six complications were considered major (22%) and occurred in Weiss Grade 3 fractures, with lateral displacement ≥5 mm. At the latest follow-up, pain and functional scores improved in 23 of 27 patients (85%). Mean MEPS increased from an average of 62 points preoperatively to 98 points postoperatively, while mean DhiS improved on average from 5 to 8 points. CDS score and time interval between injury and treatment were independent predictors of MEPS and DhiS. Conclusion: Our study describes outcomes from a cohort of children undergoing different treatments for neglected LHC fractures. Prolonged time interval between injury and treatment and perioperative major complications negatively impacted the treatment outcomes. Our findings strengthen the requirement for widely agreed guidelines of surgical management in neglected LHC fractures.

Review Article The discoid lateral meniscus in children: a narrative review of pathology, diagnosis and treatment Giovanni Trisolino, Stefano Stallone, Alberto Grassi, Eleonora Olivotto, Michela Battistelli, Paola Zarantonello, Giovanni Gallone, Daniele Ferrari, Giovanni Luigi Di Gennaro, Stefano Zaffagnini

Background: Multiple osteochondromas is a rare skeletal disorder characterized by the presence of osteocartilaginous protrusions causing bony deformities, especially around the knee. Guided growth by temporary hemiepiphyseal stapling is the treatment of choice to correct the deformity by modulating the residual physeal growth of the lower limbs. Although this procedure is increasingly practiced, inconclusive evidence exists regarding its effectiveness in children with multiple osteochondromas. The study aims to compare the outcomes of temporary hemiepiphyseal stapling for correcting genu valgum in children with multiple osteochondromas vs. idiopathic cases. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we included patients admitted at a single institution from 2008 to 2018. A total of 97 children (77 idiopathic, 20 multiple osteochondromas) were enclosed, accounting for 184 limbs treated by temporary hemiepiphyseal stapling. We investigated if children with multiple osteochondromas had a similar successful rate of correction, rate of complications, and correction velocity compared to children with idiopathic genu valgum. Results: Overall, 151 limbs (82%) achieved complete correction or overcorrection, with idiopathic cases having a significantly higher rate of success compared to pathologic cases (88% vs. 55%; p < 0.001). In addition, multiple osteochondromas children sustained a higher rate of major complications (p = 0.021) and showed significantly lower correction velocity (p = 0.029). Conclusion: Temporary hemiepiphyseal stapling is effective in both idiopathic and multiple osteochondromas children, although the latter often achieved incomplete correction, had a higher risk of complications, and required a longer time of stapling. We suggest to anticipate the timing of intervention; otherwise, children with multiple osteochondromas and severe valgus deformity, approaching skeletal maturity, could undergo combined femoral and tibial stapling.

Background: Blount’s disease is a growth disorder of the proximal tibia that causes progressive genu varum in children. Surgical treatment is recommended if the deformity worsens, but which intervention is best remains controversial. This study aims to identify factors influencing outcomes and determine the most effective surgical approach. Methods: A systematic review was conducted of studies published before January 2022. Results: In total, 63 retrospective studies with CEBM IIIb/IV levels were included (1672 knees in 1234 patients). The most commonly reported treatment was acute correction via osteotomy (47%), followed by hemiepiphysiodesis (22%) and gradual correction (18%). Combined procedures were reported in 13% of cases. The overall recurrence rate was 18%, with a significant difference when comparing the recurrence rates after gradual correction with those after hemiepiphysiodesis (7% and 29%, respectively). Major complications beyond recurrence were observed in 5% of cases. A meta-analysis of the available raw data showed a significantly increased recurrence rate (39%) among treated children who were between 4.5 and 11.25 years of age and were followed for a minimum follow-up of 2.5 years. Conclusions: Overall, poor evidence with which to establish an optimal treatment for Blount’s disease was found. This study remarked on the need for early diagnosis, classification, and treatment of infantile tibia vara, since a significant rate of recurrence was found in neglected cases.

(1) Background: Congenital pseudoarthrosis of the clavicle is a rare condition due to the failure of the union process of the ossification nuclei of the clavicle. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of relevant case series about the argument to find an up-to-date base of evidence for treatment choice. (2) Methods: an electronic literature research of Ovid, MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library databases was conducted, and articles were selected based on inclusion criteria. Demographic data, clinical features, treatment options, outcomes and complications were analyzed. (3) Results: 21 articles met the inclusion criteria, showing a poor overall study quality; 231 pediatric patients (240 clavicles) were analyzed. The condition was typically right sided, showed no sex predominance and no clear predisposing factors. 156 patients underwent surgical treatment, mainly open debridement and refresh of bony ends, fixation with pin or plate and bone graft, with a successful union rate of 87.4%. The nonunion rate was significantly higher in the allograft group (44.4%, p = 0.019). (4) Conclusions: this paper presents an updated systematic review about treatment of congenital pseudoarthrosis of the clavicle. We confirm the generally satisfactory results of surgery, demonstrating that successful union is achievable in 87.4% of cases with a prevalence of 15.7% of major complications. Nonetheless our results should be interpreted with caution due to several limitations.