The importance of Dunn's procedure in the treatment of slipped femoral epiphysis

The slipped upper femoral epiphysis (SUFE) is a condition also known as 'coxa vara' of the adolescent, in which lesions of the growth plate are responsible for the development of sudden or gradual displacement of the femoral head. The disease is most frequent in the 10-15 years' age group, usually in boys who also have endocrine disorders. Both acute and chronic presentations are described. The clinical symptoms and especially the X-Ray features are diagnostic. Treatment options include orthopedic (conservative) measures or surgery, depending on several conditions, such as: the clinical picture, the degree of the femoral displacement, and the age of the patient. The chronic, long-lasting cases are generally associated with poor results. The paper presents our experience in using the Dunn's procedure in 7 chronic cases of slipped upper femoral epiphysis in children. It appears that surgery by using Dunn's procedure is an effective treatment in patients with SUFE.