Growth modulation with 8-plates has high efficacy and low complications for deformity correction; and has been used widely across all paediatric age groups and aetiology. The literature is mostly retrospective and heterogeneous to develop age and aetiology specific recommendations.

Economic evaluation has become an integral component of health service research in recent years and will no doubt become more influential. As resources are reduced in health services, more questions are likely to be asked on the costs and benefits of new treatments. Questions are also likely to be aimed at treatments that are currently provided. Economics related to health care is complex and numerous methods of economic evaluation exist. Full economic evaluation involves the assessment of both costs and outcomes and is ideal for comparing the efficiency of treatments. Partial evaluations can also provide useful information on the contribution of component costs to treatment costs as a whole. The aim of this review is to assess the various methods available to evaluate the economics of health care and to place in context how these methods may be used within dentistry.

Pes planovalgus is the commonest foot deformity in children and presents with wide range of severity and symptoms. Surgery is mostly indicated for significant malalignment, resistant to non-surgical management. Lateral column lengthening is considered an appealing option as does not involve arthrodesis and allows for further growth and foot development. Methods: We conducted a systematic review on lateral column lengthening for pes planovalgus deformity in line with PRISMA-P Checklist. We carried out detailed literature search on PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE, CINAHL, Google Scholar and Bibliographies. We analysed selected studies for patient demographics, radiological, clinical outcome and complications. Results: We identified seven studies with 103 patients involving 156 feet. The mean age was 13.3 years (Range 5.7-42) and mean follow up was 70.2 Months (Range 24.9-156). There was statistical significant improvement in Calcaneal pitch, Lateral Talo-metatarsal and AP Talo-navicular angles (p-value 0.001). The mean preoperative AOFAS Score (71 Feet) was 58.85 (Range 34-78) and mean postoperative AOFAS Score (91 Feet) was 92.25 (Range 73-100). Two studies (32 Feet) used author specified criteria has reported Good/Excellent result in 72% (23/32 feet) and Fair/Poor result in 18% (9/32) feet. Complications were reported in 17.5% (18/103) included nerve related, pseudo arthrosis, non-union and metal related complications. Conclusion: Surgical intervention with lateral column lengthening has good radiological and clinical outcome with high patient satisfaction and acceptable complications. The literature is mostly retrospective and there is need for prospective, multi-centre studies using patient centred validated outcome measure.

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