Top 10 pediatric orthopaedic surgical emergencies: a case-based approach for the surgeon on call

Instr Course Lect. 2011:60:373-95.

Abstract

Pediatric patients who require orthopaedic surgical emergency care are often treated by orthopaedic surgeons who primarily treat adult patients. Essential information is needed to safely evaluate and treat the most common surgical emergencies in pediatric patients, including hip fractures; supracondylar humeral, femoral, and tibial conditions of the hip (such as slipped capital femoral epiphysis and septic arthritis); and limb- and life-threatening pathologies, including compartment syndrome, the dysvascular limb, cervical spine trauma, and the polytraumatized child. To provide optimal care to pediatric patients, it is important to be aware of the key points in patient evaluation and surgical care as well as expected complications.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arthritis, Infectious / drug therapy
  • Bone Diseases / surgery*
  • Child
  • Clinical Competence
  • Compartment Syndromes / diagnosis
  • Compartment Syndromes / therapy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Emergency Medical Services*
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Fasciitis, Necrotizing / diagnosis
  • Fasciitis, Necrotizing / therapy
  • Hip Dislocation / surgery
  • Hip Fractures / complications
  • Hip Fractures / surgery
  • Humans
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / surgery
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / therapy*
  • Osteonecrosis / etiology
  • Physical Examination
  • Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphyses / surgery
  • Spinal Injuries / diagnosis
  • Spinal Injuries / therapy
  • Tibial Fractures / surgery