Endoscopic-assisted epiphysiodesis: technique and 20-year experience.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to describe the endoscopic-assisted epiphysiodesis technique and review our 20-year experience with it. A retrospective review of 44 patients who underwent proximal tibia and/or distal femur endoscopic-assisted epiphysiodesis was carried out. Only patients who had preoperative and postoperative scanograms with clinical follow-up of at least 6 months were included. The mean length of follow-up was 36.8 months. All patients had radiographic evidence of physeal fusion within 6-12 months from the index procedure. No patient required revision surgery. Endoscopic-assisted epiphysiodesis is safe, effective, and achieves predictable physeal fusion. Advantages over current techniques include reduced radiation exposure and lack of requirement for hardware placement.