[Proximal Femoral Osteotomies with the Paediatric Hip Plate (LCP): Valgus osteotomy].

OBJECTIVE: Proximal femoral osteotomy with stable fixation and sufficient correction. Low complication rates due to exact preoperative planning.

INDICATIONS: Congenital or traumatic femoral neck pseudarthrosis. Coxa vara.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: None. In severe deformities, a single femoral osteotomy may not solve the problem; thus, additional correction, e.g., a pelvic osteotomy, is required.

SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Correct planning of the correction angle. Lateral approach. Subperiosteal detachment of vastus lateralis muscle. Place guide wire on the femoral neck to judge anteversion. Insert positioning wire 5 mm distal to trochanteric physis. Insert 2.8 mm Kirschner wire in the femoral neck. Osteotomy of the femur after marking the rotation by Kirschner wires or oscillating saw. Slide LC plate over Kirschner wires. Replace Kirschner wires with screws. Reduction of the femoral shaft to the plate with bone forceps. Definitive fixation of the plate to the femoral shaft by cortex or locking screws. Readaptation of vastus lateralis muscle over the plate.

POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Partial weightbearing for 4-6 weeks depending on the age of the patient without any external fixation (e. g. cast) is possible.

RESULTS: Recent studies support the authors' findings of sufficient correction and stable fixation after proximal femoral osteotomy with the LCP pediatric hip plate. Low complication rates and stable fixation.