Pediatric Orthopaedic Society Research Articles

Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip: An Examination of Care Practices of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgeons in North America.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a common condition, affecting 1% to 2% of full-term infants. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and American Academy of Pediatrics have published guidelines detailing best practices for DDH screening and treatment. The purpose of this survey was to determine DDH treatment practices of pediatric orthopaedic surgeons in North America. We queried orthopaedic surgeon members of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) about referral patterns, treatment practices, and use of DDH guidelines. The survey included demographics, clinical scenarios, referrals patterns, and ultrasound practices. Of the 1392 members of POSNA, we received 432 total responses and included 353 in statistical analyses. Results show that 68% (233/342) of surgeons practice in an institution that does not endorse a standard care pathway for DDH. Of surgeons who personally use a DDH care pathway, the AAOS guidelines were most cited (143/353, 41%). The majority (94%, 316/337) of surgeons do not believe that universal ultrasound screening should be adopted in the United States. Responses regarding ultrasound screening for "high risk" infants as outlined by AAOS varied based on risk factor. Many (57%, 200/353) surgeons have performed initial evaluations for patients over 12 months of age. While 80% (260/327) of orthopaedic surgeons believe that primary care providers are referring patients appropriately, only 57% (183/323) believe that primary care providers are ordering imaging studies appropriately. Results from this survey of POSNA membership indicate an opportunity to better distribute and implement DDH guidelines. In addition, the implementation of a care map with a focus on standard referral and imaging practices could improve the care of patients with DDH by: (1) reducing the total cost of care, (2) increasing the use of appropriate imaging, (3) increasing timely referral for DDH care, and (4) reducing the presentation rate of walking age DDH patients. The level of evidence rating for this survey-based study is level IV.

Current Trends and Variations in the Treatment of Unicameral Bone Cysts of the Humerus: A Survey of EPOS and POSNA Members.

A variety of treatment methods have so far been described for unicameral bone cysts (UBC). However, to the best of our knowledge, no particular consensus has yet been reached on when to operatively treat a patient with a humeral UBC. Therefore, members of the European Pediatric Orthopedic Society (EPOS) and Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America (POSNA) were surveyed to characterize current treatment preferences. An online electronic questionnaire was sent out to all registered EPOS and POSNA members. The survey comprised 45 questions related to the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up characteristics of patients with UBCs of the humerus. Particular questions related to the nonoperative or surgical treatment of pathologic proximal humerus and humeral shaft fractures were also included. In total, 444 participants (132 EPOS and 292 POSNA members) responded, of whom 400 were actively involved in UBC treatment. The preferred diagnostic modalities to confirm the diagnosis of a UBC in the humerus were radiographs (88%), MRI in cases of questionable diagnosis (58%) or CT scan (8%). For painless UBCs 67% prefer no treatment at all except when the fracture risk is deemed high (then 53% recommend surgery); 71% of respondents would treat painful UBCs with surgery. Most common surgical techniques comprise curettage (45%), artificial bone substitutes (37%), corticosteroid injection (29%), or intramedullary stabilization (eg, rodding; 24%).Fractured, nondisplaced and mildly displaced proximal humerus UBCs and mildly displaced pathologic humerus shaft fractures are all preferably treated nonoperatively (94%, 91%, 83%, respectively). Severely displaced pathologic proximal humerus fractures are treated less often conservatively (36%) than surgically (40%), and severely displaced humerus shaft fractures are preferably treated surgically (63%) by intramedullary stabilization (60%). There is great variation among EPOS and POSNA members with regards to the diagnosis and treatment of UBCs in the humerus. Although some consensus on general treatment principles is seen, specific surgical treatment indications vary.Prospective randomized-controlled studies are needed to evaluate the outcomes of the different surgical approaches compared with nonoperative strategies. Level V-expert opinion.

Geographic Distribution of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgeons throughout the United States

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to explore the geographic distribution of pediatric orthopaedic surgeons (POS) in the US as an accurate assessment of pediatric orthopaedic surgical care. Methods: A list of all POS in the US was compiled using publicly available information from the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA). Name, practice location, and other contact information were recorded for a total of 1,188 surgeons. Surgeons were sorted into congressional districts (CDs). Using Dr. Richard Cooper’s Trend Model and projections for the demand of orthopaedic surgeons in 2020, each state and CD was classified as having optimal, suboptimal, and greater-than-optimal numbers of POS. Results: The most POS were in California, Texas, Florida, and New York and the least were in Wyoming and Montana. The median number of POS per state was 23 (range: 0-134). The median number of POS per CD was 2 (range: 0-38). Out of a total number of 435 CDs in the US, there were 187 CDs that had 0 POS. Furthermore, all 435 CDs had suboptimal numbers of POS. Discussion and Conclusion: Currently, there is no surgeon: population ratio standard for POS specifically. Furthermore, numbers generated about orthopaedics in general are based on national figures and do not take into account local demographic, economic, and physician practice pattern variations that can cause suggested ratios to differ. However, the data generated from this study suggests that POS are not evenly distributed throughout the US and many areas are not optimally served.

Surveying the POSNA Landscape: What Can We Learn From Society Survey Studies?

A growing trend of survey-based research has been seen in the field of pediatric orthopaedics. The purpose of this study was to describe patterns of surveys of Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) membership and evaluate for associations between study characteristics and response rates in order to inform future research efforts. We hypothesized that studies with fewer survey questions and study group or committee involvement would demonstrate higher response rates. A systematic review of the literature was performed to identify all peer-reviewed survey publications targeting POSNA members published up to December 2017. Included studies were reviewed to identify author and publication characteristics, survey development and methodology, survey distribution procedures, and response rates. Statistical analyses were performed to describe publication patterns and evaluate for associations between study characteristics and response rates. Thirty-four studies published from 1991 to 2017 were identified as meeting inclusion criteria, with a substantial increase noted over the last 3 years. Studies included 4.6 (SD 1.9) authors and 14.7% had affiliations with study groups or committees. Survey development methodology was detailed in only 1 study. Surveys included a median of 19.5 questions (3 to 108) and were primarily electronically distributed. The mean survey response rate was 42% with a downward trend noted over the studied time period. None of the studied author, publication, and design characteristics were associated with increased response rates. Survey-based studies of the POSNA membership have become increasingly popular study designs in recent years. Response rates are lower than reports in other physician cohorts, and appear to be declining, possibly representative of respondent fatigue. No associations were identified between response rates and the modifiable study characteristics evaluated (number of authors, committee or subgroup affiliation, number of questions, and mode of distribution). Efforts should be made to identify tactics to sustain participation as these studies become more widely utilized within our field. Optimizing study design and implementation features while valuing physician time and effort spent on survey completion is important to avoid member survey fatigue. Level V-systematic review of Level V research.

Author-reported affiliations on abstracts accepted for the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) Annual Meeting: A retrospective review

Professional education at academic medical meetings is under increasing scrutiny. No data have been published regarding the academic or institutional affiliations of authors who submit abstracts as part of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) Annual Meeting. We sought to study the self-reported institutional affiliations and other factors over a 6-year period. The POSNA annual meeting programs 2011-2016 were reviewed. The number of abstracts, including those for main program podium presentations, posters, e-posters, and subspecialty day were queried. The number of authors on each submission, presenting author’s reported institutional affiliation, and involvement of a study group or database were documented. Over the 5-year study period the abstract number increased (188 abstracts in 2011 and 294 in 2016, abstracts or a 56% increase). The mean number of authors listed per abstract was five (range, 4.9 to 5.4). Nineteen percent of abstracts were affiliated with three institutions: Texas Scottish Rite Hospital (103), Boston Children’s Hospital (95) and Rady Children’s Hospital (84). Boston Children’s Hospital and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital were most frequent in the main program. These two institutions accounted for 16% to 25% of main program podium abstracts across all years. The total number of abstracts with a study group affiliation increased over the evaluated period (five abstracts in 2011, 18 abstracts in 2016, a 4.5-fold increase). The abstract number at the POSNA annual meeting has increased substantially recently. Although the average number of authors listed on the abstract remained consistent over the review period, study groups/databases were reported as an author/source more frequently. Two academic pediatric orthopaedic centers were affiliated with approximately 20% of the main program abstracts each year. Level of Evidence: Level IV.

Evaluation of Spanish Language Proficiency and Resources Available in Academic Pediatric Orthopaedic Centers.

Given the rapidly increasing population of Spanish-speaking patients in the United States, medical providers must have the capability to effectively communicate both with pediatric patients and their caregivers. The purpose of this study was to query the Spanish language proficiency of pediatric orthopaedic surgeons, assess the educational resources available to Spanish-speaking patients and their families, and identify the barriers to care at academic pediatric orthopaedic centers. The Web sites of medical centers within the United States that have pediatric orthopaedic surgery fellowships recognized by the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) were accessed. Web sites were investigated for a health library as well as the availability of interpreter services. Profiles of attending surgeons within each Pediatric Orthopaedic Department were evaluated for evidence of Spanish proficiency as well as educational qualifications. Centers were contacted by phone to determine if the resources and physicians who could converse in Spanish were different than what was readily available online and if automated instructions in Spanish or a person who could converse in Spanish were available. Forty-six centers with 44 fellowship programs were identified. The profiles of 12 of 334 (3.6%) surgeons who completed pediatric orthopaedic fellowships indicated Spanish proficiency. Seventeen physicians (5.1%) were identified as proficient in Spanish after phone calls. Thirty-eight pediatric orthopaedic centers (82.6%) noted interpreter service availability online, although services varied from around-the-clock availability of live interpreters to interpreter phones. When contacted by phone, 45 of 46 centers (97.8%) confirmed the availability of any interpreter service for both inpatient and outpatient settings. Sixteen centers (34.8%) had online information on orthopaedic conditions or surgical care translated into Spanish. Twenty centers (43.5%) did not have automated phone messages in Spanish or live operators that spoke Spanish. There is a scarcity of surgical providers in pediatric orthopaedic centers proficient in Spanish, demonstrating a large discrepancy with the growing Hispanic population. Interpreter services are widely available, although there is variability in the services provided. Considerable barriers exist to Spanish-speaking patients who attempt to access care by phone or online.

Lawnmower Injuries in Children: A National 13-Year Study of Urban Versus Rural Injuries.

Although the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America have established lawnmower safety guidelines, a notable number of injuries continue to occur. We sought to elaborate on the epidemiology of lawnmower injuries in the pediatric age group and compare urban versus rural injuries. The Pediatric Health Information System database was queried for patients of 1 to 18 years of age from 2005 to 2017 who presented with a lawnmower injury. Results were computed using bivariate tests and multinomial regressions. A total of 1,302 lawnmower injuries were identified (mean age 7.7 ± 5.1 years, range 1 to 18 years; 78.9% males). Incidence rates by region, adjusted for regional case volume, were 2.16 injuries per 100,000 cases in the South, 2.70 injuries per 100,000 cases in the Midwest, 1.34 injuries per 100,000 cases in the Northeast, and 0.56 injuries per 100,000 cases in the Western United States. After stratifying and adjusting for total case volume by locale (urban/rural), it was found that urban areas had an incidence rate of 1.47 injuries per 100,000 cases, whereas rural areas had a rate of 7.26 injuries per 100,000 cases. Rural areas had higher rates of infection and higher percentages of patients requiring inpatient stay. The surgical complication rate in rural areas was 5.5% as compared to 2.6% in urban areas. Based on urban/rural status, a significant difference was observed with the age group, length of stay, income, surgical complication, and presence of infection at the bivariate level with P < 0.05. Rural areas had an overall amputation rate of 15.5% compared with 9.6% in urban areas, with rural patients being 1.7 times more likely to undergo an amputation (P < 0.05). The findings of this study show that numerous geographic and locale disparities exist in pediatric lawnmower injuries and reveal the need for improved safety awareness, especially in at-risk rural populations.

Paediatric anterior cruciate ligament tears: management and growth disturbances. A survey of EPOS and POSNA membership.

PurposeThe therapeutic algorithm of paediatric anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears remains controversial. The primary aim of the study was to describe variations in practice patterns among European Paediatric Orthopaedic Society (EPOS) and Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) members with respect to management of ACL tears in skeletally immature patients. The secondary objective was to determine the number, type and severity of growth disturbances associated with ACL reconstruction (ACLR).MethodsAn email invitation to complete a 52-question survey was sent to all members of POSNA and EPOS. Data were collected automatically. Descriptive statistics were applied.ResultsIn all, 305 (25.4%) surgeon members responded. Only 182 (60%) of the participants treated ACL injuries in skeletally immature patients and completed the survey. A total of 17% of EPOS and 70% of POSNA members recommended ACLR within three months for a prepubescent paediatric ACL tear. In total, 61% of POSNA and 83% of EPOS members recommended ACLR within three months for a pubescent paediatric ACL tear. Epiphyseal tunnels were the preferred technique in prepubescent children (43% at the tibia and 49% at the femur), while transphyseal tunnels were recommended preferentially in pubescent children (85% at the tibia and 63% at the femur). In all, 5.5% of participants reported growth disturbances after ACLR.ConclusionCurrent practice patterns across the Atlantic remain varied and controversial. Consensus remains elusive; as such, research collaboration among societies will be important to develop an evidence-based treatment algorithm. The use of transphyseal tunnels has been reinforced. The number of cases of significant growth disturbance is minimal, yet worrisome.Level of EvidenceII

Lessons taught by a knee arthroscopy simulator about participants in a European arthroscopy training programme

BackgroundArthroscopy simulators offer safe and reproducible training to orthopaedic residents, thereby obviating the need for cadaver specimens. In addition, they collect data that can serve to investigate learning curves and evaluate training programmes with the goal of improving the quality of arthroscopy teaching. In this study, a cohort of surgeons was evaluated before and after a European theoretical and practical training programme that used a knee arthroscopy simulator. The primary objective was to assess whether the overall performance score was improved by the training programme. The secondary objectives were to determine which tasks and skills were improved by the programme, to compare a novice group to an experienced group, and to identify targets for improvement. HypothesisA theoretical and practical training course improves the scores achieved on an arthroscopy simulator task. MethodsA prospective comparative study was performed in 34 surgeons during the advanced arthroscopy training course organised by the European Paediatric Orthopaedic Society (EPOS) in January 2018. All participants performed a diagnostic task on the VirtaMed ArthroS™ simulator before and after the programme. The participants were divided into two groups based on number of knee arthroscopies performed each year, i.e.,>20 (experienced group) vs.≤20 (inexperienced group). The following parameters were compared between the two groups: overall score, operative time, percentage of iatrogenic injuries, camera and hook path lengths, and success in identifying anatomical structures. ResultsThe overall score on the diagnostic task was 199 before and 203 after the training programme (p=0.02). The operative time decreased significantly, from 185 to 115.9seconds (p<0.01). Camera path length decreased from 85.2 to 49.2cm and hook path length from 65.5 to 15.0cm (p<0.05). The mean proportion of arthroscopies with iatrogenic tibial cartilage injuries diminished from 2.7%±1.7% (range, 0–6.7) to 1.8%±1.8% (range, 0–7) (p=0.03); no change occurred in femoral injuries. When each group was assessed separately, the only significant change found in the experienced group was a decrease in operative time, whereas in the inexperienced group all parameters improved significantly. However, visualisation of anatomical structures was unchanged. ConclusionParticipation in the training programme improved overall performance, and the gains were greatest in the inexperienced group. During the post-training evaluation, some of the major anatomical structures were classified by the simulator as incompletely visualised, raising concern about a risk of underdiagnosis during arthroscopic explorations. Level of evidenceIII, prospective comparative study.

Trends in Concomitant Meniscal Surgery Among Pediatric Patients Undergoing ACL Reconstruction: An Analysis of ABOS Part II Candidates From 2000 to 2016.

Background:Rates of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction among pediatric and adolescent patients are increasing. Limited knowledge exists about population-level rates of concomitant meniscal surgery in this age group.Purpose/Hypothesis:This study sought to examine trends in concomitant meniscal procedures and describe short-term complications in pediatric and adolescent patients undergoing ACL reconstruction. We hypothesized that overall meniscal surgery rates are increasing and that the likelihood of performing meniscal repair or meniscectomy is associated with patient- and surgeon-specific factors.Study Design:Cross-sectional study.Methods:We queried ACL procedures in patients younger than 19 years reported by American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) part II examination candidates from 2000 to 2016. Regression models examined associations between patient and surgeon characteristics, year of surgery, follow-up time, meniscal procedure type, and number and type of complications.Results:A total of 9766 cases were identified. Females represented 46% (n = 4468) of included cases. Mean patient age was 16.1 years (SD, 1.62 years; range, 0-18 years). The rate of concomitant ACL-meniscal procedures increased from the years 2000 to 2016 (49%-60%; P = .005). Surgeons with sports medicine (+7.0%) or pediatric orthopaedic fellowship (+6.6%) training had a higher likelihood of reporting a concomitant ACL-meniscal procedure (P = .003 and .006, respectively). Sports medicine–trained surgeons were more likely to perform meniscal repair compared with meniscectomy (+3.0%; P = .016). Younger patient age was associated with increased likelihood of undergoing meniscal repair compared with meniscectomy. Overall reported complication rate was 12.8%. Notable reported complications included infection (1.61%), arthrofibrosis (1.14%), and deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism (0.11%). Sports medicine and pediatric orthopaedic fellowship training was associated with higher rates of reporting postoperative stiffness and/or arthrofibrosis.Conclusion:Among ABOS part II candidates, concomitant ACL-meniscal surgery has become more common than isolated ACL procedures. Procedures involving sports medicine fellowship–trained surgeons and younger patients were associated with increased rates of meniscal repair compared with meniscectomy. Pediatric orthopaedic and sports medicine training was associated with a greater likelihood of being involved in a concomitant ACL-meniscal procedure of any kind, and surgeons with such training also reported a higher incidence of postoperative stiffness and/or arthrofibrosis in patients.

Pediatric Orthopaedists Are Not Immune: Characterizing Self-reported Burnout Rates Among POSNA Members.

There are no published data characterizing burnout rates for pediatric orthopaedic surgeons. The primary purpose of this study was to identify the rates of self-reported personal and team burnout among members of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA). A secondary aim was to determine whether specific demographic variables were more likely to be associated with self-reported burnout. During its 2018 annual meeting, the POSNA Wellness Taskforce launched a web-based survey in which members were asked to respond to 2 previously validated questions related to personal and team burnout. The survey was distributed by a closed POSNA membership e-mail list and responses were analyzed anonymously. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Pearson χ testing was used to analyze differences in burnout rates as a function of age and sex. A total of 615 POSNA members completed the survey, a 47% response rate. Overall, 38% reported personal burnout and 46% reported team burnout. Women were more likely to report both personal (P<0.001) and team burnouts (P<0.005). Members aged 40 to 59 years were more likely to report personal burnout, irrespective of sex (P<0.001). Members aged 50 to 59 years were more likely than those in other age groups to report team burnout (P<0.001). There was no significant association found between the presence of burnout and either race, ethnicity, LGBTQ status, or educational background. As a group, pediatric orthopaedists report moderately high rates of both personal and team member burnout. Individual-specific factors such as age and sex may play an important role in determining one's risk for experiencing burnout. Recognizing that burnout affects a significant minority of POSNA members is a crucial first step. Level III.

164. The reliability of the AOSpine thoracolumbar spine injury classification system in children: results of a multicenter study

BACKGROUND CONTEXT In the adult population, there have been significant endeavors in developing classification systems of thoracolumbar injuries. These systems evolved from simple morphologic classifications to more complex systems based on fracture morphology (injury mechanism), evaluation of posterior ligamentous integrity, and neurologic status of the patient. There does not yet exist a dedicated classification system for pediatric thoracolumbar fractures despite the discordance in presentation. Pediatric thoracolumbar fractures vary in morphology, severity, and morbidity. Treatments vary from observation to surgery depending on factors such as fracture stability, displacement, and neurologic status. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine if the new AOSpine thoracolumbar spine injury classification system is reliable and reproducible when applied to the pediatric population. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Multicenter review of single institutional case series. PATIENT SAMPLE Patients under the age of 18 years who had been treated operatively for a thoracolumbar fracture between 2006 and 2016 were identified. Inclusion criteria included patients with preinjury computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and who were less than 18 years of age. OUTCOME MEASURES Classification through AOSpine Thoracolumbar Spine Injury Classification System METHODS A group of nine POSNA (Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America) member surgeons were sent an electronic link containing educational videos and schematic papers describing the AOSpine Thoracolumbar Spine Injury Classification System. The link also contained MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and CT (computed tomography) imaging of 25 pediatric patients with thoracolumbar spine injuries organized into cases to review and classify. The evaluators classified injuries into 3 primary categories: A, B, and C. Interobserver reliability was assessed for the initial reading across all 9 raters by Fleiss's kappa coefficient (kF) along with 95% confidence intervals (CI). For A and B type injuries, subclassification was conducted including A0-A4 and B1-B2 subtypes. Interobserver reliability across subclasses was assessed using Krippendorff's alpha (αk) along with bootstrapped 95% CIs. Imaging was reviewed a second time by all 9 evaluators approximately one month from the initial read. All patient imaging was blinded and randomized for each read independently. Intraobserver reproducibility was assessed for the primary classifications using Fleiss's kappa and subclassification reproducibility was assessed by Krippendorff's alpha (αk) along with 95% CIs. Interpretations for reliability estimates were based on Landis and Koch (1977): 0-0.2, slight; 0.2-0.4, fair; 0.4-0.6, moderate; 0.6-0.8, substantial; and >0.8, almost perfect agreement. RESULTS Twenty-five cases were read by 9 raters for a total of 225 initial and 225 repeated evaluations. Interobserver reliability was almost perfect (kF = 0.82; CI = 0.77 - 0.87) across all 9 raters. Subclassification reliability was substantial (αK = 0.79; CI = 0.62 - 0.90). Intraobserver reproducibility was almost perfect (kF= 0.81; CI = 0.71 - 0.90) for both primary classifications and for subclassifications (αk = 0.81; CI = 0.73 - 0.86). CONCLUSIONS The reliability for the AOSpine classification system was high amongst POSNA surgeons when applied to pediatric patients. Given a lack of a uniform classification in the pediatric population, the AOSpine Thoracolumbar Spine Injury Classification System has the potential to be used as the first universal spine fracture classification in children. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.

Treatment of Clubfoot with Dynamic Supination and No Deformity: A Survey of the POSNA Membership

Purpose: Anterior tibialis tendon transfer (ATTT) is a procedure, which is used to treat recurrent clubfoot with dynamic supination, but there are a wide variety of guidelines or strategies for the procedure. In this study, members of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) were surveyed in order to determine the varied methods used in the execution of ATTT. Methods: The survey was designed using Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) survey software. It …

Common Elements in Surgical Site Infection Care Bundles for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis at North American Pediatric Institutions: A Survey of POSNA QSVI Challenge Participants

Surgical site infection (SSI) following posterior spinal fusion for idiopathic scoliosis is a difficult complication, with little information published regarding the best preventative comprehensive care plan. The Spine Subgroup of the Quality, Safety, Value Initiative (QSVI) committee of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America undertook a survey to generate an overview of bundle elements in comprehensive SSI care bundles across institutions in North America. The purpose of this study was to develop a toolkit of SSI care bundle elements that could be used in developing future SSI care bundles. A survey email was sent to pediatric orthopaedic surgeons requesting a copy of the SSI prevention care bundle used in their practice. Surgeons were included if they had participated in the 2016 POSNA QSVI challenge, indicated they performed pediatric spine surgery, and had a spine SSI bundle. These bundles were evaluated by the QSVI committee and divided into preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative elements with the frequency of use of each element recorded. A follow-up qualitative questionnaire was sent assessing the implementation and development of these SSI bundles. In total, 16 care bundles from 15 different institutions were included for review. The response rate for this survey was 44% of individuals (50/113 QSVI challenge participants) and 43% (15/35) of unique institutions. The most common elements included: use of preoperative antibiotics, use of preoperative chlorhexidine wipes, use of wound irrigation intraoperatively, and a standardized prescription for the length of postoperative antibiotic. Each of these elements was included in ≥75% of the SSI bundles evaluated. SSI care bundles are increasingly being used by pediatric institutions to lower the risk of SSI following pediatric spinal surgery. This study provides an overview of various care elements used in established SSI care bundles across multiple institutions in North America. It is hoped this data will provide institutions interested in developing their own SSI care bundle with useful information for beginning this process. Level V-Decision Analysis.

Does the Proportion of Women in Orthopaedic Leadership Roles Reflect the Gender Composition of Specialty Societies?

Increasing the number of women in surgical subspecialties has been challenging, especially in orthopaedics, in which the percentage of women has remained relatively the same for the past several decades. Certain subspecialties, such as pediatric orthopaedics, have a greater proportion of women than other orthopaedic subspecialties do. Women in leadership roles in a specialty society (for example, on the board of directors) may serve as role models and help attract women to our specialty, leading to increased diversity. As the proportion of women in a specialty society increases, the leadership (board of directors) of the society might reflect the gender composition of that society's membership. It is not known whether gender diversity in orthopaedic societies is reflected in their leadership. QUESTION/PURPOSES: (1) Does the percentage of women members in a specialty society correlate with the percentage of women on its board of directors? (2) Does having a junior position on an orthopaedics subspecialty society's board of directors correlate with an increased percentage of women on its board of directors? We queried the executive directors of each of the 23 societies of the Board of Specialty Societies of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons to obtain the number and percentage of women members in each society, the number of women on each society's board of directors, the criteria for becoming a board member, and the presence or absence of junior board members. All 23 societies responded. We supplemented the data by reviewing these societies' bylaws. Society bylaws were studied to determine if the presence of a junior board member affected the percentage of women on its board of directors. We correlated the percentage of women in each society with the percentage of women on that society's board of directors and compared this across the studied societies. We found a strong correlation between the percentage of women in a society and the percentage of women on the society's board of directors (r = .2333; p = .0495). The subspecialty society with the highest percentage of women (26%), the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, did not have the highest percentage of women on its board of directors (three of 20 members were women, 15%). The subspecialty society with the highest percentage of women on its board of directors, the Orthopaedic Research Society (seven of 16 members, 44%), did not have the highest percentage of women (25%). There was no correlation between presence of a junior board member and increased percentage of women in an orthopaedic society, nor was there a correlation between the presence of a junior board member and percentage of women on the board of directors in a society. There is a correlation between the number of women members in an orthopaedic specialty society and the number of women on its board of directors. The correlation is not explained by the presence of a junior member position, which may be inspiring to younger women. Although a correlation exists, we could not predictably match societies with the highest percentage of women members to those with the highest percentage of women on their boards of directors, and vice versa. This study reveals the current percentage of women in orthopaedic specialty societies and the percentage of women in leadership positions. This is the first step towards diversity of gender in orthopaedics. Level III, prognostic study.

2018 International Olympic Committee consensus statement

Summary In October 2017, the International Olympic Committee hosted an international expert group of physiotherapists and orthopaedic surgeons who specialise in treating and researching paediatric ACL injuries. Representatives from the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, European Paediatric Orthopaedic Society, European Society for Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery & Arthroscopy, International Society of Arthroscopy Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America and Sociedad Latinoamericana de Artroscopia, Rodilla y Deporte attended. Physiotherapists and orthopaedic surgeons with clinical and research experience in the field, and an ethics expert with substantial experience in the area of sports injuries also participated. Injury management is challenging in the current landscape of clinical uncertainty and limited scientific knowledge. Injury management decisions also occur against the backdrop of the complexity of shared decision-making with children and the potential long-term ramifications of the injury. This consensus statement addresses six fundamental clinical questions regarding the prevention, diagnosis and management of paediatric ACL injuries. The aim of this consensus statement is to provide a comprehensive, evidence-informed summary to support the clinician, and help children with ACL injury and their parents/guardians make the best possible decisions.

The Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) Adopts a Member Health and Wellness Charter

The Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America took actions to address the well-being of its members. The epidemic of physician burnout interferes with the delivery of high-quality care that our patients and families need and deserve, and at the same time places the care-providers at an increased risk of depression and suicide. The actions taken by Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America serve as a model for other professional medical societies to emulate.

Orthopaedic Care for Children: Who Provides It? How Has It Changed Over the Past Decade? Analysis of the Database of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

The field of orthopaedic surgery has subspecialized over the past decade with an increasing number of graduates of orthopaedic residency programs entering fellowship training. The number of graduates from pediatric orthopaedic fellowships has also increased over the past decade. We hypothesize as the number of pediatric orthopaedic fellowship graduates has increased, the proportion of orthopaedic cases completed by pediatric surgeons in comparison with adult surgeons has also increased. We have used the database of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) to analyze the trends in who is providing the orthopaedic care for children. Procedure logs of applicants for ABOS part II certification from 2004 to 2014 were collected and pediatric cases were used for this study. Applicants were divided into pediatric orthopaedic surgeons and adult orthopaedic surgeons based on the self-declared subspecialty for part II examination. CPT codes were used to place the cases into different categories. Descriptive and statistical analysis were performed to evaluate the change in the practice of pediatric orthopaedics over the past decade. ABOS part II applicants performed 102,424 pediatric cases during this period. In total, 66,745 (65%) cases were performed by nonpediatric surgeons and 35,679 cases (35%) by pediatric surgeons. In total, 82% of the pediatric cases were done by adult surgeons in 2004 which decreased to 69% in 2009 and to 53% in 2014 (r=0.8232, P=0.0019). In pediatric sports medicine, pediatric orthopaedic surgeons performed 7% of the cases in 2004 which increased to 14% in 2009 and to 28% in 2014 (300% increase from 2004). Pediatric surgeons also increased their share of pediatric trauma cases. In total, 12% of lower extremity trauma cases were attended by pediatric surgeons in 2004 compared with 47% in 2014 (235% increase from 2004). In upper extremity trauma, pediatric surgeons increased their share of the cases from 12% in 2004 to 43% in 2014 (175% increase from 2004). Over the past decade, pediatric orthopaedic specialists are caring for an increasing share of pediatric cases. Pediatric trauma, pediatric spine, and pediatric sports medicine have seen the greatest increase in the percentage of cases performed by pediatric orthopaedic surgeons. Level III.

TRENDS IN PEDIATRIC ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION: A REVIEW OF SURGEON FELLOWSHIP, GEOGRAPHY, AND MENISCUS SURGERY IN THE ABOS PART 2 DATABASE

INTRODUCTION: An increased rate of pediatric and adolescent patients undergoing ACL reconstruction has clearly been established, and now considered one of the most common arthroscopic procedures performed in youth patients. Little knowledge exists on whether these trends truly represent an increase in ACL injury, identification, or surgical management. Trends, including surgeon training, meniscus treatment, or geographic differences, have not been reported. The purpose of this study was to review data from ACL reconstructions performed in patients under the age of 17 years, that were submitted to the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons (ABOS) Part 2 examination, with a goal of evaluating national treatment trends over a 16-year period. METHODS: A query to the ABOS SCRIBE database was submitted for all ACL reconstructions performed in patients less than 17 years old between 2002 and 2016. The query was designed to search for CPT procedure codes submitted by each applicant. Query data included geographic region, fellowship training of the applicant, age and sex of the patients, and associated procedures. Each case had an associated applicant number, and thus, the total number of ACL reconstructions performed by each surgeon during board collection was provided. Trends were reviewed for the aggregate data and a Mann-Whitney test was used for comparison of data between 2002 – 2009 (Early-ACL) and 2010-2016 (Recent-ACL) groups. RESULTS: Since 2002, there has been a 2.6% increase in pediatric ACL reconstructions performed by candidates applying for Part 2 of the ABOS examination. Additionally, a 193% increase in dual pediatric and sports medicine fellowship trained candidates performing pediatric ACL reconstruction since 2010 was seen. A majority of pediatric ACL procedures were performed by sports medicine trained surgeons (75.9%). During this time period, a total of 362 (or 8.3%) of pediatric ACL procedures were performed by surgeons with neither sports medicine nor pediatric orthopaedic fellowship training. Following 2009, a 44% increase in pediatric ACL reconstructions performed was noted (Figure 1A). Additionally, an increase in reconstructions performed in female patients compared to males was noted (Figure 1B). A majority of pediatric ACL reconstructions did not require additional meniscal treatment, however, meniscus repair was more likely to be performed after 2009 (p=0.0012). The number of meniscal repair procedures reported in the setting of ACL reconstruction generally increased over the study period. In 2002, 24% of ACL reconstructions required a meniscal repair compared to 41% in 2016 (Figure 1C). A majority of these repairs were performed by surgeons with sports medicine fellowship training. Geographic trends reported are based on patients &lt;16 per available census records (Figure 1D). Geographic variation exists with of the highest rates of pediatric ACL reconstructions occurring in the South (4.62 per million) and Midwest (4.07 per million) in comparison to the Southeast (1.85 per million). When adjusting for population size per year, each region saw a significant increase in reported ACL surgeries from the Early-ACL to the Recent-ACL timeframe (p=0.005). The largest increases in surgeries reported between Early-ACL and Recent-ACL were seen in the Southeast (68% increase), Midwest (50% increase) and Southwest (47% increase). Of all the providers who performed surgery, 74% submitted only 1-2 cases from 2002-2016, with 26% of providers performing more than 55% of all of the pediatric ACL reconstruction cases. More than 75% of all cases were performed by sports medicine fellowship trained surgeons However, a large change was seen in dual sports and pediatric trained surgeon case volumes over this time period, with these surgeons performing 7.5 times more surgeries from 2010 to 2016 (Recent-ACL) when compared to 2002-2009 (Early-ACL). CONCLUSION: Since 2009, pediatric ACL reconstructions are more likely to be female and are more likely to undergo a meniscal repair. Geographic variation is noticeable, with more surgeries reported to be performed in the South. Dual pediatric and sports medicine fellowship trained candidates performing ACL reconstruction have significantly increased over time, although those surgeons who are only sports medicine fellowship trained continue to perform the bulk of ACL reconstructions in young patients.

Rickets severity predicts clinical outcomes in children with X-linked hypophosphatemia: Utility of the radiographic Rickets Severity Score.

The Rickets Severity Score (RSS) was used to evaluate X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH), a genetic disorder mediated by increased circulating FGF23. The reliability of the RSS was assessed using data from a randomized, phase 2 clinical trial that evaluated the effects of burosumab, a fully human anti-FGF23 monoclonal antibody, in 52 children with XLH ages 5 to 12 years. Bilateral knee and wrist radiographs were obtained at baseline, week 40, and week 64. We evaluated the relationships of the RSS to the Radiographic Global Impression of Change (RGI-C), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), height Z-score, 6-minute walk test (6MWT) percent predicted, and the Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (POSNA-PODCI). The RSS showed moderate-to-substantial inter-rater reliability (weighted kappa, 0.45-0.65; Pearson correlation coefficient (r), 0.83-0.89) and substantial intra-rater reliability (weighted Kappa, 0.66; r = 0.91). Baseline RSS correlated with serum ALP (r = 0.47). Baseline RSS identified two subgroups (higher [RSS ≥1.5] and lower RSS [RSS <1.5]) that discriminated between subjects with greater and lesser rachitic disease. Higher RSS was associated with more severe clinical features, including impaired growth (Z-score, -2.12 vs -1.44) and walking ability (6MWT percent predicted, 77% vs 86%), more severe self-reported pain (29.9 [more severe] vs 45.3 [less severe]) and less physical function (29.6 [more severe] vs 40.9 [less severe]). During burosumab treatment, greater reductions in RSS corresponded to higher RGI-C global scores (r = -0.65). Improvements in RSS correlated with decreased serum ALP (r = 0.47). These results show the reliability of the RSS in XLH, and demonstrate that higher RSS values are associated with greater biochemical, clinical, and functional impairments in children with XLH.