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

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.