Outcomes of percutaneous femoral derotational osteotomy in pediatric patients

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous femoral derotational osteotomies are performed in both adult and pediatric patients. There is little published on the outcomes after femoral derotational osteotomy in pediatric patients. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of pediatric patients treated with percutaneous femoral derotational osteotomy by one of two surgeons between 2016 and 2022 was performed. Data collected included patient demographics; surgical indications; femoral version; tibial torsion; magnitude of rotational correction; complications; time to hardware removal; pre-operative and post-operative patient-reported outcome scores, including Limb Deformity–Scoliosis Research Society and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System; and time to consolidation. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data and t tests used to compare means. RESULTS: Thirty-one femoral derotational osteotomies in 19 patients were included with an average age of 14.7 (9–17) years. The average rotational correction was 21.5° ± 6.4° (10°–40°). The average length of follow-up was 17.9 ± 6.7 months. There were no instances of nonunion, joint stiffness, or nerve injury. No patients returned to the operating room for additional surgeries other than routine hardware removal. There were no cases of avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Of the 19 patients, 8 completed both a pre-operative and post-operative survey set. There were significant improvements in the Limb Deformity–Scoliosis Research Society Self-Image/Appearance sub-category and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function sub-category. CONCLUSION: Femoral derotational osteotomy using a percutaneous drill hole technique with antegrade trochanteric entry femoral nail is safe in the pediatric population and improves self-image in patients with symptomatic femoral version abnormalities.