title: In situ fixation of slipped capital femoral epiphysis with Steinmann pins.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is often treated by surgical fixation; however, no agreement exists regarding technique. We analyzed the outcome of in situ fixation with Steinmann pins.
  
  
  METHODS
  All 67 subjects operated for slipped capital femoral epiphysis at Haukeland University Hospital during the period 1990-2007 were included. All were treated by in situ fixation with 2 or 3 parallel Steinmann pins (8 mm threads at the medial end). The follow-up evaluation consisted of clinical examination and hip radiographs. Radiographic outcome was based on measurements of slip progression, growth of the femoral neck, leg length discrepancy, and signs of avascular necrosis and chondrolysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  67 subjects (41 males) were operated due to unilateral slips (n = 47) or bilateral slips (n = 20). Mean age at time of diagnosis was 13 (7.2-16) years. Mean age at follow-up was 19 (14-30) years, with a mean postoperative interval of 6.0 (2-16) years. The operated femoral neck was 9% longer at skeletal maturity than at surgery, indicating continued growth of the femoral neck. At skeletal maturity, 12 subjects had radiographic features suggestive of a previous asymptomatic slip of the contralateral hip. The total number of bilateral cases of SCFE was 32, i.e half of the children had bilateral SCFE. 3 subjects required additional surgery and mild avascular necrosis of the femoral head was seen in 1 patient. None had slip progression or chondrolysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In situ pinning of SCFE with partly threaded Steinmann pins appears to be a feasible and safe method, with few complications. The technique allows further growth of the femoral neck.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway. trude.gundersen.lehmann@helse-bergen.no
authors.forename: Trude G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Lehmann
authors.forename: Ingvild Ø
authors.initials: IØ
authors.lastname: Engesæter
authors.forename: Lene B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Laborie
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rosendahl
authors.forename: Stein Atle
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Lie
authors.forename: Lars B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Engesæter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001858:Bone Nails; D002648:Child; D004839:Epiphyses, Slipped / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005270:Femur Head / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005271:Femur Head Necrosis / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods; D011859:Radiography; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome