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Prevention of Postoperative Osteopenia Using IV Pamidronate: A Pilot Study.

J Pediatr Orthop. 2013 Jul 17;

Authors: Hobby BD, Dominguez-Bartmess S, Szalay EA

Abstract
BACKGROUND:: Postoperative bone mineral density (BMD) loss, especially after cast immobilization and/or non-weight-bearing, is a well-known phenomenon in children that can cause fracture. Children with marginal bone density are at greatest risk. This prospective randomized control trial compared the effect of single-dose intravenous (IV) pamidronate versus placebo to prevent postoperative BMD loss.
METHODS:: Children between the ages of 4 and 18 were included in the study; inclusion criteria included a predisposition to low bone density and hip or lower extremity surgery that would require cast immobilization or non-weight-bearing for at least 4 weeks. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans of the lumbar spine and bilateral distal femora were performed preoperatively and at least 4 weeks postoperatively. Subjects were randomized to receive either a single, low dose of IV pamidronate (1 mg/kg) or placebo, given during the immediate postoperative period. Changes in the BMD were compared using the Mann-Whitney test for significance in the lumbar spine. A multivariate general linear model was used to compare the effect of surgery, DXA region, and treatment on BMD.
RESULTS:: A total of 24 subjects were included in the study, and 20 completed the