Correction of coronal plane deformities around knee in children with two-hole tension band plates

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to present the 10-year results and complications of two-hole tension band plate hemiepiphysiodesis for coronal deformities around knee in a large population from a single center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-seven patients (46 boys, 31 girls; mean age 93±36 months; range, 22 to 181 months) who underwent temporary hemiepiphysiodesis around knee between January 2009 and January 2019 with two-hole tension band plates were retrospectively evaluated. Improvement of joint orientation angles and mechanical axis deviations, deformity correction rates, etiology groups, and complications were noted. RESULTS: A total of 166 bone segments (93 femurs, 73 tibias) were included in the study. Mean follow-up duration after the implantation was 36±17 (range, 12 to 88) months. Plates were removed at mean 18±8 (range, 7 to 47) months of implantation. Of the bone segments, 95.2% (n=158) responded successfully to the plates. Mean correction rate of mechanical lateral distal femoral angle in femoral valgum deformity was 0.94±0.43° (range, 0.17 to 2.22)/month and mean correction rate of mechanical medial proximal tibial angle in tibial valgum deformity was 0.62±0.36° (range, 0.11 to 1.55)/month. Mean correction rate of mechanical lateral distal femoral angle in femoral varum deformity was 1.3±0.8° (range, 0.48 to 2.92)/month and mean correction rate of mechanical medial proximal tibial angle in tibial varum deformity was 0.94±0.49° (range, 0.26 to 1.67)/month. The most common complication observed was rebound deformity seen in 41.2% (n=70) of the bone segments. Nine bone segments had persistent hemiepiphysiodesis despite plate removal. Four screw breakages (three metaphysial and one epiphysial) were observed. CONCLUSION: Two-hole tension band plate hemiepiphysiodesis appears to be an effective and safe method for the correction of coronal deformities around knee.