Tibial derotational osteotomies in two neuromuscular populations: comparing cerebral palsy with myelomeningocele

PURPOSE: To review the outcomes of tibial derotational osteotomies (TDOs) as a function of complication and revision surgery rates comparing a cohort of children with myelodysplasia to a cohort with cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: A chart review was completed on TDOs performed in a tertiary referral centre on patients with myelodysplasia or CP between 1985 and 2013 in patients aged > 5 years with > 2 years follow-up. Charts were reviewed for demographics, direction/degree of derotation, complications and need for re-derotation. Two-sample T-tests were used to compare the characteristics of the two groups. Two-tailed chi-square tests were used to compare complications. Generalised linear logit models were used to identify independent risk factors for complication and re-rotation. RESULTS: The 153 patients (217 limbs) were included. Average follow-up was 7.83 years. Overall complication incidence was 10.14%, including removal of hardware for any reason, with a 4.61% major complication incidence (fracture, deep infection, hardware failure). After adjusting for gender and age, the risk of complication was not statistically significantly different between groups (p = 0.42) nor was requiring re-derotation (p = 0.09). The probability of requiring re-derotation was 31.9% less likely per year increase in age at index surgery (p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: With meticulous operative technique, TDO in children with neuromuscular disorders is a safe and effective treatment for tibial torsion, with an acceptable overall and major complication rate. The risk of re-operation decreases significantly in both groups with increasing age. The association between age at initial surgery and need for re-derotation should help guide the treatment of children with tibial torsion.