Comparison of Radiolucent and Fracture Tables in the Treatment of Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis

A retrospective study was undertaken to see whether there was any difference in the time required and the accuracy of pin placement between slips pinned on a fracture table and those pinned on a radiolucent table. All patients were treated by single screw fixation of stable slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), 36 on a fracture table and 29 on a radiolucent table. Mean operating room time on the fracture table (63 minutes) was greater than that on the radiolucent table (51.2 minutes) (P < 0.05). Mean surgery time for the fracture table (38.55 minutes) was greater than that on the radiolucent table (24.8 minutes) (P < 0.05). The deviation of screw placement from the ideal for the two tables was not significantly different in the anteroposterior or lateral planes. The use of the radiolucent table, with manipulation of the limb to obtain lateral images of the hip, is a useful alternative to use of the fracture table for pinning of SCFE.