Material and methods: A randomised prospective study of 102 children (mean age 8.3 ± 3.5 years) with fractures involving upper or lower limbs. Children undergoing removal of cast were divided into 2 groups; either by an oscillating saw or a cast cutting shear. The level of anxiety was assessed by recording the heart rate with a portable fingertip pulse oximeter before, during and after removal of the cast. Objective assessment was performed by documenting the fear level on Children's Fear Scale (CFS).

Results: There was a significant increase in the heart rate of children during cast removal while using the oscillating saw compared to cast shear (p<0.05). The noise level produced by the saw exceeded 80 dB (mean 103.3 dB). The fear level was significantly lower in the cast shear group (p<0.05).

METHODS: Membrane films were prepared from water-soluble O-C solution blended with various concentrations of glycerol to modify the physical properties of the films. In vitro and in vivo biocompatibility evaluations were performed using primary human skin fibroblast cultures and subcutaneous implantation in a rat model, respectively.

RESULTS: Addition of glycerol significantly influenced the barrier and mechanical properties of the films. Water absorption capacity was in the range of 80%-160%, whereas water vapor transmission rate varied from 1,180 to 1,618 g/m2 per day. Both properties increased with increasing glycerol concentration. Tensile strength decreased while elongation at break increased with the addition of glycerol. O-C films were found to be noncytotoxic to human fibroblast cultures and histological examination proved that films are biocompatible.

METHODS: We carried out a prospective analysis based on the DFI samples collected from 2016 till 2018. Specimens were cultured with optimal techniques in addition to antibiotic susceptibility based on recommendations from The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). A total of 1040 pathogens were isolated with an average of 1.9 pathogens per lesion in 550 patients who were identified with having DFIs during this interval.

RESULTS: A higher percentage of Gram-negative pathogens (54%) were identified as compared with Gram-positive pathogens (33%) or anaerobes (12%). A total of 85% of the patients were found to have polymicrobial infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19%), Staphylococcus aureus (11%) and Bacteroides species (8%) appeared to be the predominant organisms isolated. In the management of Gram-positive bacteria, the most efficacious treatment was seen with the use of Vancomycin, while Imipenem and Amikacin proved to be effective in the treatment of Gram-negative bacteria.

Material and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of children with angular deformity of the knee treated by the guided growth technique from January 2010 to December 2015 in a tertiary centre. The guided growth technique was done using either the flexible titanium plate (8-plate) or the 2-hole reconstruction plate. Correction of deformity was assessed on radiographs by evaluating the mechanical axis deviation and tibiofemoral angle. The implants were removed once deformity correction was achieved.

Results: A total of 17 patients (27 knees) were evaluated. Twenty-two knees (81.5%) achieved complete correction of the deformity. The median age was 4.0 (interquartile range 3.0-6.0) years and the median Body Mass Index (BMI) was 26.0 (25.0-28.0). There were 7 unilateral and 10 bilateral deformities with different pathologies (14 tibia vara, 3 genu valgus). The median rate of correction was 0.71° per month. One patient (1 knee) had screw pull-out and two patients (4 knees) had broken screws in the proximal tibia. Three patients (5 knees) failed to achieve complete correction and were subsequently treated with corrective osteotomies. Out of five patients (8 knees) who were followed-up for at least 12 months after removal of hardware, two had rebound deformities. No permanent growth retardation occurred in our patients.

METHODS: A total of 8 and 7 children who had gradual GGS and ACO correction, respectively, for angular deformities due to rickets from 2002 to 2022 were recalled for follow-up. Demographic data, types of rickets, data on pharmacological treatment, biochemical parameters, recurrence of angular deformity and postoperative complications were obtained from the medical records. A radiographic evaluation of the leg was performed to determine the tibiofemoral angle. For functional evaluation, the Active Scale for Kids (ASK) and Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) instruments were used for children below and above 15 years old, respectively.

RESULTS: In terms of the tibiofemoral angle, the GGS group documented greater angle changes compared to the ACO group, but the difference was not significant. In terms of functional outcomes, the overall score percentage of both groups was comparable with the GGS group showing a trend of higher score percentage compared to the ACO group. The GGS group presented no complication while 2 neurovascular injuries and 1 implant failure were recorded in the ACO group.