Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Because pediatric extension-type supracondylar humerus fractures vary significantly in terms of characteristics, identification of sagittal oblique and coronal oblique angles may have an important role in surgical decision making and may impact outcomes.

Understanding the growth pattern in Marfan syndrome is important for prediction of expected growth, prevention of excessive growth by hormone therapy, timing of surgical epiphysiodesis for cessation of growth, and instituting brace treatment for scoliosis. In this study, we analyze growth patterns and generate growth charts for persons with Marfan syndrome. From the charts of 180 clinically diagnosed Marfan patients, longitudinal height and weight measurements were obtained. From this data, growth charts and growth velocity charts were generated for males and females. Skeletal maturation was studied by determining the Risser signs from the x‐rays of 71 males and 56 females. From 22 female patients, age of menarche was available and retrieved either by reviewing the charts or contacting the patients. Mean length at birth was 53 ± 4.4 cm for males and 52.5 ± 3.5 cm for females. Mean final height was 191.3 ± 9 cm for males and 175.4 ± 8.2 cm for females. Mean birth weight was 3.51 ± 0.74 kg for males and 3.48 ± 0.68 kg for females. The puberty‐associated peak in growth velocity was 2.4 years earlier than the gender‐matched general population for males with Marfan syndrome and 2.2 years earlier for females. Age of menarche was 11.7 ± 2 years of age, which is also early compared to the general population. This study suggests that the growth spurt and pubertal skeletal maturation occur early in Marfan syndrome. The growth curves generated should help more accurately predict adult stature, as well as monitor progression toward it. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

The cardiopulmonary condition of patients with Marfan syndrome should be evaluated and planned for before surgery. Preoperative computed tomograph to assess bony adequacy for fixation and magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate dural ectasia are indicated. Attention paid to the sagittal profile, extension of fusion to vertebrae neutral and stable in both planes, minimization of soft tissue dissection, and avoidance of extreme correction may prevent curve decompensation.