Pediatric Hip Locking Plate Set — Guided Osteotomy and Screw Fixation

Pediatric Hip Locking Plate Instrument Set, SKU PS-OP-02688, is a 57-piece reusable German stainless steel system for guided proximal femoral osteotomy, plate positioning, drilling, reduction, and locking-screw insertion. The set includes 2.0 and 2.8 mm guide wires, 3.5 and 5.0 mm aiming blocks, an aiming-block positioner, osteotomy positioner, curved reduction forceps, 2.8 and 4.3 mm LCP drill sleeves, reduction sleeves, two depth-gauge systems, SW2.5 and SW3.5 screwdrivers and shafts, a torque-limiter handle, 1.50 and 4.0 Nm limiters, drill bits from 2.5–4.3 mm, fixation sleeves, self-centering bone forceps, double drill guides, 3.5 and 4.5 mm cortical taps, three triangular positioning plates, two medialization instruments, and a dedicated case. Pediatric orthopedic surgeons use the system during proximal femoral varus, valgus, derotation, shortening, and combined corrective osteotomies for developmental dysplasia, coxa valga, coxa vara, neuromuscular hip displacement, and selected deformity reconstruction. The instrumentation supports pediatric hospitals, orthopedic centers, and tertiary operating rooms using compatible locking plates and screws.

Aiming Blocks, Sleeves, Forceps, and Torque Control

The 3.5 and 5.0 mm aiming blocks establish system-defined trajectories for proximal locking screws, while positioner PS-2705.004 aligns the selected block relative to the plate and proximal femur. Threaded 2.0 mm guide wires provide temporary fixation, and 2.8 mm wires establish longer directional references during osteotomy planning and plate placement. LCP sleeves thread or seat into compatible locking holes so 2.8 and 4.3 mm drills remain centered along the plate’s fixed-angle axis. Reduction sleeves use a 4.3/2.8 mm nested geometry to guide the smaller wire or drill through the larger pathway. Curved reduction forceps hold osteotomy fragments from an offset working angle; self-centering forceps apply symmetrical compression around the bone. Fixation sleeves stabilize the 2.8 and 4.3 mm drills during powered use. SW2.5 and SW3.5 screwdrivers engage the corresponding hexagonal screw recesses, while their holding sleeves retain the fastener during transfer. The 1.50 and 4.0 Nm torque limiters disengage or signal at their calibrated thresholds, controlling final locking-screw tightening without relying solely on manual feel.

Proximal Femoral Osteotomy and Plate Fixation Workflow

After exposure of the proximal femur, triangular positioning plates and fluoroscopic assessment establish the planned correction geometry. The osteotomy positioner identifies the cutting level and orientation, while guide wires preserve directional references before the bone cut. Once the osteotomy is completed, curved reduction forceps and the self-centering clamp bring the proximal and distal fragments into the intended rotation, angulation, shortening, or translation. The medialization instruments shift the distal fragment relative to the proximal segment when the reconstruction plan requires medial displacement. A compatible pediatric hip plate is placed against the lateral femur, and the aiming block controls proximal screw trajectories toward the femoral neck without entering the joint or physis outside the operative plan. Drill sleeves and matched bits prepare the screw paths. Depth gauges determine required fastener length from the prepared channel, and 3.5 or 4.5 mm taps form cortical threads where the implant technique requires tapping. Holding-sleeve screwdrivers introduce the selected screws. Final locking engagement is completed with the corresponding torque limiter. Reduction, plate position, screw length, osteotomy correction, and hip alignment are reassessed fluoroscopically before closure.

Drill Diameters, Depth Gauges, and Angle Templates

The 2.5 × 112 mm drill supports the smaller cortical screw pathway used with the 2.5/3.5 mm double guide. The 2.8 × 160 mm option works with the 2.8 mm LCP and fixation sleeves for guided locking-hole preparation. The 3.2 × 147 mm drill pairs with the 3.2/4.5 mm double guide for a broader cortical pathway. The 4.3 × 230 mm instrument follows the corresponding locking sleeve for the largest listed guided channel. Depth gauge PS-2705.031 measures through the 2.8 mm system, while the general 60 and 100 mm gauges address shorter and longer screw paths. The 3.5 and 4.5 mm taps correspond with their designated cortical screw systems. Triangular plate PS-2705.094 presents 90°, 50°, and 40° references; PS-2705.097 provides 80°, 70°, and 30°; PS-2705.100 supplies 100°, 60°, and 20°. These templates support assessment of planned correction angles rather than replacing calibrated imaging. The 3.5 and 5.0 mm aiming blocks, drill sleeves, bits, taps, drivers, and torque limiters must remain matched to the selected plate and screw family throughout the operation.

German Stainless Steel, Reprocessing, and Documentation

German stainless steel provides the rigidity, corrosion resistance, and dimensional stability required for drilling, reduction, tapping, screw insertion, and repeated sterilization. Guide wires and drill bits require inspection for bending, damaged tips, worn cutting edges, or eccentric rotation. Sleeve threads, aiming-block interfaces, screwdriver hexagons, taps, gauges, forceps, and positioning plates should be examined for deformation, obstruction, corrosion, and unreadable markings. Torque limiters require controlled functional testing and calibration management according to the manufacturer and hospital maintenance program; steam processing does not replace calibration verification. Components should be disassembled where their validated design permits so cleaning reaches cannulations, threads, hinges, recesses, and holding sleeves. Instruments must be cleaned, rinsed, inspected, dried, packaged, and steam sterilized under institutional validation and manufacturer instructions. CE documentation concerns conformity with applicable European medical-device requirements, while ISO 13485 addresses manufacturing and traceability controls. FDA procurement depends on applicable establishment, listing, labeling, importer, and destination-market records. Case PS-2705.106 organizes the set but does not independently establish sterilization efficacy or shelf life.

Products Specifications

How does a pediatric locking-plate set differ from a conventional pediatric hip plate set?
Pediatric Hip Locking Plate Instrument Set uses aiming blocks and threaded LCP sleeves to direct locking screws along fixed plate trajectories. A conventional non-locking plate system relies more heavily on plate-to-bone compression and freely angled cortical screw placement. The locking construct connects screw heads mechanically to the plate holes. This requires matched sleeves, drill bits, screwdriver interfaces, and torque limiters. Conventional drill guides cannot automatically reproduce the locking-hole axis. Instrument selection must follow the plate design, screw diameter, osteotomy plan, and manufacturer-defined technique.

How are the drill, sleeve, screwdriver, and torque-limiter sizes selected?
Pediatric Hip Locking Plate Instrument Set contains separate instrument pathways for the supported screw families. The 2.5 and 2.8 mm drills serve smaller channels, while 3.2 and 4.3 mm instruments prepare larger pathways. LCP and fixation sleeves maintain the corresponding guided trajectory. SW2.5 and SW3.5 drivers must match the screw recess rather than the external screw diameter alone. The 1.50 Nm limiter supports the smaller driver system, while the 4.0 Nm model controls the larger locking interface. Components from different pathways must not be mixed during drilling or final tightening.

What do CE, ISO 13485, and FDA references mean for procurement?
CE documentation concerns conformity with applicable European medical-device requirements. ISO 13485 addresses the quality management system governing manufacture and traceability. Neither designation independently means that Pediatric Hip Locking Plate Instrument Set has received FDA approval. United States procurement requires the applicable establishment, listing, labeling, importer, and market-access documentation. Hospitals should retain these records with the SKU, component table, torque-device service history, and supplier information. The documentation supports vendor qualification, inventory management, maintenance, and complaint handling.

How do the aiming blocks and torque limiters function intraoperatively?
The aiming block connects to the compatible plate and establishes the planned fixed-angle screw trajectories. Threaded drill sleeves maintain coaxial drilling through individual locking holes. Guide wires can preserve alignment before the definitive channel is prepared. Pediatric Hip Locking Plate Instrument Set then uses matched screwdriver shafts and holding sleeves for screw transfer and advancement. The torque limiter controls final tightening by restricting force at its calibrated threshold. A worn aiming interface or out-of-calibration limiter must be removed from use before fixation.

How should the set and torque devices be reprocessed?
Guide wires, drills, taps, sleeves, forceps, drivers, gauges, and aiming blocks should be transferred for decontamination immediately after surgery. Cannulations, threads, cutting flutes, hinges, driver recesses, and holding sleeves require direct cleaning and inspection. Pediatric Hip Locking Plate Instrument Set should be disassembled where its validated design permits. Components must then be rinsed, dried, functionally tested, packaged, and steam sterilized according to institutional and manufacturer instructions. Torque limiters require scheduled functional verification and calibration in addition to routine reprocessing. The case should be released only after count reconciliation, cycle completion, drying, packaging inspection, and sterilization-record approval.