Epiphysiodesis in slipped capital femoral epiphysis: a comparison of various surgical modalities.

This retrospective study surveys patients treated between 1960 and 1978 for slipped capital femoral epiphyses. The parameters reported are fusion time, blood replacement, hospitalization time, aseptic necrosis, cartilage necrosis, and complications. Twenty-eight hips (24 patients) were treated by pinning, and three hips (three patients) were treated by Smith-Petersen nails. The Heyman or Howorth bone pegging procedures were performed in 48 hips in 41 patients. The average fusion time was 9.4 months for hips treated with Knowles pins, 3.7 months for Hagie or Tachdjian pins, and 4.8 months for bone pegging procedures. Blood loss, hospitalization time, surgical scars, and duration of anesthesia were greater for the bone pegging procedures.