PERCUTANEOUS EPIPHYSEODESIS

The records of 29 patients who underwent epiphyseodesis of 56 physes i n which a percutaneous (minimal incision) technique was used were revi ewed. Length of surgery averaged 36 min per physis. Growth arrest was achieved in every instance. There were no cases of unplanned angular g rowth, no deep infections, and no difficulties in regaining full joint motion were reported. Epiphyseodesis of the proximal tibial physis wa s performed on 16 patients without epiphyseodesis of the proximal fibu la, yet symptoms attributable to fibular overgrowth were not reported. Some technical variations that have evolved in our procedure are desc ribed.