Treatment of pediatric patients with lower extremity deformities using software-assisted Ortho-SUV Frame: analysis of 213 cases

Abstract

Aim. To retrospectively assess treatment outcomes of long bone deformities of the lower extremities accompanied by shortening in pediatric patients using a software-assisted Ortho-SUV Frame.Materials and methods. The accuracy of deformity correction (AC), period of deformity correction (PDC), external fixation index (EFI), and number of complications in 213 patients were retrospectively analyzed.Results. According to different parameters, AC of femur deformity correction (group 1) varied from 90% to 96%. The average length increase was 47 ± 12 mm. The average distraction duration was 38 ± 14 days. The average PDC was 8 ± 6 days for simple deformities (SDs), 14 ± 7 days for moderate deformities (MDs), and 23 ± 12 days for complex deformities (CDs). EFI was 26 ± 8 days/cm for SDs, 31 ± 6 days/cm for MDs, and 35 ± 12 days/cm for CDs. According to different parameters, AC of the lower leg deformity correction (group 2) varied from 89% to 95%. The average length increase was 52 ± 20 mm. The average distraction duration was 45 ± 18 days. PDC was 11 ± 5 days for SDs, 16 ± 9 days for MDs, and 27 ± 16 days for CDs. EFI was 32 ± 14 days/cm for SDs, 42 ± 12 days/cm for MDs, and 49 ± 8 days/cm for CDs. There were 48 (50.5%) complications in group I with the majority (71%) classified as Caton grade I and 29% as grade II. There were 62 (45%) complications in group 2, where 50% were Caton grade I and 50% were Caton grade II. There were no serious complications (Caton grade III) in either group that influenced the final functional results.Conclusion: Use of a software-assisted Ortho-SUV Frame increased the efficiency of treatment of pediatric patients with long bone deformities because of the great accuracy of deformity correction.