Percutaneous in situ fixation of slipped capital femoral epiphysis using two threaded Steinmann pins.

Abstract

Twenty-six patients with 34 slipped capital femoral epiphyses were treated by percutaneous in situ pinning with two 5/32-inch threaded Steinmann pins. Twenty-three patients with 31 hips were followed-up until the time of epiphyseal closure and pin removal. The average time to closure was 8.5 months (range, 3-25). The average operative time for pinning was 53 min (range, 18-115). The average operative time for pin removal was 42 min (range, 12-132). Complications included two progressive slips, two poorly placed pins, one pin breakage during removal, and one case of capital necrosis. This technique is a quick, efficient means of stabilizing the slipped capital femoral epiphysis, with case of hardware removal.