[Closed reduction and pinning for acute slipped capital femoral epiphysis]

Acute slipped capital femoral epiphysis is a rare adolescent hip disorder, which may be a problem for orthopedic surgeon. No series to date has demonstrated the superiority of any treatment method. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the outcome of treatment and to assess the risk factors of avascular necrosis associated with this condition. Fourteen cases of acute slipped capital femoral epiphysis were treated with closed reduction and pinning. There were 9 boys and 5 girls. The average age at presentation was 11.8 years (range 9.1-15.3). Eight children were treated 4-10 days and six within 48 hours of the onset of their acute symptoms. The severity of the slip was classified according to the system of Southwick. Presence of chondrolysis and avascular necrosis was estimated. The clinical results were graded with the use of the criteria of Aadelen et al. Four slips were classified as mild, seven as moderate and three as severe. Average follow up was 5.2 years (range from 2.4 to 14.3). In two hips with severe slip AVN developed. One of these cases was treated within 48 hours and one after 7 days. Chondrolysis developed in one hip and was associated with presence of intra-articular fixation. Twelve of the fourteen hips had good and vary good results and remaining 2 with AVN had poor. Closed reduction and pinning in acute slipped capital femoral epiphysis is an effective and giving satisfactory outcome method of treatment. Early reduction is not associated with a high rate of AVN and should be performed as soon as possible. More severe slips were noted to have an increased risk of AVN.