Clinical Characteristics of Pyogenic Flexor Tenosynovitis in Pediatric Patients.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the clinical presentation, common pathogens, antimicrobial susceptibility, and treatment methods associated with pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis (PFT) in pediatric patients.


METHODS
Patients who underwent surgical treatment for PFT at a large tertiary-care children's hospital between 2001 and 2015 were identified. Descriptive summary statistics were reported on patient demographics, presenting symptoms and clinical examination features, culture results, treatment strategies, and early complications.


RESULTS
Thirty-two patients (71.9% male) with a mean age of 9.5 ± 5.5 years (range, 0.8-19 years) were included. At least 3 Kanavel signs were present on presentation in 62% of the cohort, with all 4 signs identified in 34%. Three children (9%) presented with 0 to 1 Kanavel signs, with semiflexed posturing of the digit as the least commonly (41%) manifested sign. The most frequently cultured organisms were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (38%), methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (22%), and Pasteurella multocida (13%). Multiple organisms were cultured in 19% of cases. Intravenous antibiotics were administered for a median duration of 4 days (range, 1-16 days) in all cases. Organisms were sensitive to the initial antibiotic regimen in 81% of cases. All methicillin-resistant S. aureus infections were sensitive to vancomycin and trimethroprim-sulfamethoxazole, and 83% were sensitive to clindamycin. Incision and drainage (I&D) was performed in all cases, with 18% of patients requiring repeat I&D. Surgical approaches included limited incision (80%), midaxial incision (13%), and Bruner incision (7%). The average length of hospitalization was 5.1 days. Infection resolved in all cases without readmission. No neurovascular complications were identified.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of Kanavel signs at presentation are a meaningful indicator of PFT, but are not uniformly present on examination in children and adolescents. Owing to the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance and polymicrobial infection, empirical antibiotic therapy using broad-spectrum agents with MRSA coverage is essential. In our cohort of pediatric patients with PFT of sufficient severity to warrant surgical management, prompt I&D along with culture-guided antibiotics predictably resolves infection.


METHODS
Therapeutic IV.
Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA.
Christopher M
CM
Brusalis
Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania; and the Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
Stephanie
S
Thibaudeau
Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA.
Robert B
RB
Carrigan
Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania; and the Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
Ines C
IC
Lin
Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania; and the Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
Benjamin
B
Chang
Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. Electronic address: shaha6@email.chop.edu.
Apurva S
AS
Shah
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013717:Tenosynovitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult
Pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis; infection; pediatric