2.7 mm LCP Pediatric Hip Plate
Fig 1 Varization osteotomy with the LCP pediatric hip plate. The 2.7 mm LCP pediatric hip plate is intended for use in infants up to 3 years, depending on weight, size, and bone quality. It is part of the LCP pediatric hip plate system for stable fixation of varus, valgus, and derotation osteotomies and fractures in pediatric orthopaedics. It incorporates the technique of the locking compression plate into a system dedicated to pediatrics.
This plate addresses the clinical problem of hip displacement in young patients as a result of late presentation or failed conservative management of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH).
Prior to the development of this plate the only solution for proximal femoral osteotomy in this group of patients was the infant angled blade plate based on a one-third tubular plate. The issues with this were weakness, poor rotational control, and the lack of guided insertion. The 3.5 mm LCP pediatric hip plates are too bulky for infants at the age required, which is generally around 18 months.
The 2.7 mm LCP pediatric hip plate was developed to close the gap for treatments of infants up to 3 years, depending on weight, size, and bone quality. The specific indications include:
- Neglected dislocation of the hip in combination with open reduction
- Idiopathic coxa valga
- Severe hip dysplasia
Fig 2ab The etching determines the angle of the femoral neck screw (100, 110, 130 available). The implant completes the LCP pediatric plate portfolio with a full range of plates with a choice of angles. The locking compression functionality reduces the risk of a primary and secondary loss of correction. The plate can be used in locked internal fixator mode or as a compression plate as required. Although in the 3.5 and 5.0 mm LCP hip plates stability negates the need for external support, with the 2.7 mm plate a hip spica is recommended in all cases; the cast is frequently required for other elements of the surgery, such as open reduction of the hip.
The 2.7 mm LCP pediatric hip plate is available with neck shaft angles of 100, 110 for varus osteotomies, and 130 for pure derotation osteotomies.
Fig 3 Aiming block for screws. An 18-month old girl presented with developmental dysplasia of the hip. She had failed conservative management with a Pavlik harness, and redislocated following open reduction and femoral osteotomy of the right hip. She underwent revision open reduction and femoral osteotomy of the right hip, followed by the same procedure on the left hip 6 weeks later.
Case provided by James B Hunter, Nottingham, UK
Fig 1 X-ray shows the situation at presentation. 
Fig 2 Right hip postoperatively. 
Fig 3 Left hip postoperatively. 
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