Growth plate behavior after desepiphysiodesis: experimental study in rabbits

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Regenerative medicine
• Pediatric orthopedics

Background:

• Growth plate injuries can lead to limb length discrepancies.
• Desepiphysiodesis, or surgical fusion of the growth plate, is a potential treatment for specific deformities.
• Understanding the healing potential and complications of desepiphysiodesis is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the healing capacity of the distal femoral growth plate after central desepiphysiodesis.
• To compare the effects of different implant fixation methods on growth plate healing and limb length.

Main Methods:

• A central defect was created in the distal femoral growth plate of 30 rabbits.
• Group A: defect left empty (control).
• Group B: polymeric cylinder implanted, fixed in the metaphysis.
• Group C: polymeric cylinder implanted, fixed in the epiphysis.
• Clinical, radiologic, and histologic analyses were performed after two months.

Main Results:

• Mean limb shortening was 12.63% in group A, 4.9% in group B, and 1.54% in group C.
• Histologic analysis revealed epiphysiodesis (growth plate fusion) in all groups, particularly after implant migration into the metaphysis.
• No regeneration of the growth plate was observed.

Conclusions:

• Central desepiphysiodesis in rabbits did not result in growth plate regeneration.
• Fixation of the implant in the epiphysis significantly reduced limb shortening compared to metaphyseal fixation.
• Preventing implant migration is essential to avoid recurrence of epiphysiodesis and manage limb length discrepancies.