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.

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: 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.