The ABC management of the acetabular fracture patient

Acetabular fractures represent one of the most complex fractures treated by orthopaedic surgeons. Our understanding of these injuries is due to the seminal work of Robert Judet and Emile Letournel, whose classification system is still in use today. Letournel demonstrated that by achieving perfect anatomic reduction, excellent outcomes could be obtained in this challenging patient cohort. This review is a summary of our understanding of acetabular fracture patterns and their management and explores the various factors affecting clinical outcomes after surgical fixation of acetabular fractures.     

(iii) Principles of acetabular fractures

Acetabular fractures are rare, significant injuries involving the articular surface of the acetabulum. They are typically associated with a high-energy mechanism of injury, though fragility type fractures are now increasingly seen. Associated injuries to another organ system are seen in half of all cases. Radiographic assessment is performed using antero-posterior pelvic radiographs and Judet views, as well as computerized tomography (CT). Classification is based on the column theory and describes fracture anatomy in relation to the anterior and posterior columns. Non-operative treatment is indicated when there is less than 2 mm of articular displacement or when patient factors (such as associated injuries/co-morbidities) or soft tissue injury are incompatible with surgery. Open reduction and internal fixation is indicated in displaced fractures, total hip arthroplasty being used in unreconstructable injuries. Operative treatment involves difficult exposures and technically demanding reduction and fixation techniques. Significant associated injuries include neurovascular injury, bleeding, open fracture wounds, soft tissue injury, hip dislocation and femoral fractures. Late complications include post-traumatic osteoarthritis, avascular necrosis and heterotopic ossification. The goals of treatment should be to give the patient a congruent, functional hip whilst minimizing the complications from both the injury and surgery. Poor results are more likely if the reduction is non-anatomical.     

(ii) Thoracolumbar spinal fractures: review of anatomy,biomechanics, classification and treatment

The management of thoracolumbar spine fractures remains a controversial issue. There is disagreement both as to how to describe these injuries and how to manage them.No ideal classification system, accepted by the world of spinal surgery, exists and such systems are under on-going development. While the majority of these injuries can be managed conservatively, new surgical techniques have been developed alongside the evolution of diagnostic tools classification systems.This article aims to revise important concepts that may help surgeons in training to understand spinal injuries and the modern approach to the management of thoracolumbar trauma.We describe relevant thoracolumbar spine anatomy and biomechanics followed by a discussion of historical and modern classification systems, and the treatment methods available to surgeons.     

Evaluation and diagnosis of the traumatized dentition

Traumatic dental injuries comprise a number of the dental emergency patients who are often seen after hours or on an unscheduled basis in a dental practice environment. Although there are a variety of traumatic dental injuries that can occur, each with their own recommended treatment protocols, the initial evaluation and diagnosis of the traumatized dentition make up a critical aspect of the management of these cases. This article will highlight the key components of a thorough and efficient examination process of the traumatized dentition to include (a) documenting an accurate history of the events causing the injury, (b) performing a systematic clinical examination to include the use of clinical photographs and pulp sensibility tests, (c) obtaining appropriate radiographic images and scans, (d) understanding some considerations unique to evaluating young patients with traumatic injuries, and (e) recognizing the importance of having accurate and thorough documentation of these types of cases. Once the evaluation and diagnosis phase has been completed, the necessary treatment protocols can be initiated in an appropriate manner.     

Polytrauma in children

Polytrauma in children is rare, however trauma is a leading cause of death in children. Clinicians with responsibility for management of the child suffering major trauma must recognize the conflict between these facts. Simulation and preparation can help to improve the quality of care at both individual and institutional levels. Children are not small adults, and their anatomical and physiological differences manifest themselves in different responses to major trauma than those seen in adults. This reality should be met with a tailored approach to assessment, investigation and management that accommodates the changes occurring from infancy, through childhood and adolescence to adulthood. This approach minimizes the risk of harm from inappropriate irradiation or intervention. Children have remarkable resilience and can make dramatic recoveries from seemingly irrecoverable situations. The comprehensive treatment of musculoskeletal injuries should therefore not be compromised in the setting of polytrauma, and attention must be given to the optimal time for treatment. Damage control resuscitation and early appropriate care facilitate an individualized response. Outcomes for paediatric polytrauma are improved by management in a specialist centre, with early aggressive management of injuries that require surgical treatment by an experienced multidisciplinary team.     

Reconstructive surgery for complex midface trauma using titanium miniplates: Le Fort I fracture of the maxilla, zygomatico-maxillary complex fracture and nasomaxillary complex fracture, resulting from a motor vehicle accident

Maxillofacial injuries resulting from trauma can be a challenge to the Maxillo-Facial Surgeon. Frequent causes of these injuries are attributed to automobile accidents, physical altercations, gunshot wounds, home accidents, athletic injuries, work injuries and other injuries. Motor vehicle accidents tend to be the primary cause of most midface fractures and lacerations due to the face hitting the dashboard, windshield and steering wheel or the back of the front seat for passengers in the rear. Seatbelts have been shown to drastically reduce the incidence and severity of these injuries. In the United States seatbelt laws have been enacted in several states thus markedly impacting on the reduction of such trauma. In the Philippines rare is the individual who wears seat belts. Metro city traffic, however, has played a major role in reducing daytime MVA related trauma, as usually there is insufficient speed in traffic areas to cause severe impact damage, the same however cannot be said for night driving, or for driving outside of the city proper where it is not uncommon for drivers to zip into the lane of on-coming traffic in order to overtake the car in front ... often at high speeds. Thus, the potential for severe maxillofacial injuries and other trauma related injuries increases in these circumstances. It is however unfortunate that outside of Metro Manila or other major cities there is no ready access to trauma or tertiary care centers, thus these injuries can be catastrophic if not addressed adequately. With the exception of Le Fort II and III craniofacial fractures, most maxillofacial injuries are not life threatening by themselves, and therefore treatment can be delayed until more serious cerebral or visceral, potentially life threatening injuries are addressed first. Our patient was involved in an MVA in Zambales, seen and stabilized in a provincial primary care center initially, then referred to a provincial secondary care center for further stabilization before his transfer to Manila and then ultimately to our Maxillo-Facial Unit. There was a two week-plus delay in the definitive management because of this. As a result of the delay, fibrous tissue and bone callus formation occurred between the various fracture lines, thus once definitive fracture management was attempted, it took on a more reconstructive nature. Hospital based Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgeons are uniquely trained to manage all aspects of the maxillo-facial trauma, and their dental background uniquely qualifies them in functional restoration of lower and midface fractures where occlusion plays a most important role. Likewise, their training in clinical medicine which is usually integrated into their residency education (12 months or more) puts them in a unique position to comfortably manage the basic medical needs of these patients. In instances where trauma may affect other regions of the body, an inter-multi-disciplinary approach may be taken or consults called for. In this instance, an opthalmology consult was important. In fresh trauma, often seen in major trauma centers (i.e. overseas), a "Trauma Team" is on standby 24 hours a day, and is prepared to assess and manage trauma patients almost immediately upon their arrival in the ER. The trauma team is usually composed of a Trauma Surgeon who is a general surgeon with subspecialty training in traumatology who assesses and manages the visceral injuries, an Orthopedic Surgeon who manages fractures of the extremities, a Neurosurgeon for cerebral injuries and an Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgeon for facial injuries. In some institutions, facial trauma call is alternated between the "three major head and neck specialty services", namely Oral and Maxillo-facial Surgery, Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery and Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)     

Injuries of the acromioclavicular joint

Injuries to the acromioclavicular joint are extremely common, representing a significant proportion of all injuries around the shoulder girdle. The goal of treatment of these injuries is the return of pain-free function and strength to the shoulder girdle, and has traditionally been guided by appropriate injury classification according to the Rockwood classification. Consensus traditionally holds that low-grade injuries are best treated by conservative means, with high-grade injuries requiring surgical intervention. The treatment of mid-grade injuries however has long been the topic of much debate.Likewise, though hundreds of procedures for the repair and reconstruction of acromioclavicular injuries have been described in the literature, no one technique has been identified as optimal treatment for these injuries. This review aims to provide a review of the current debate and best evidence around this topic, in order to guide the reader as to what might be considered as current best evidence-based practice.     

Communicating complexity: using a diagnostic classification system for edentulous patients

A significant number of edentulous patients with complex treatment needs are seen in private practice and faculties of dentistry. The American College of Prosthodontists has developed a classification system for complete edentulism that can be used to guide overall treatment planning and management of patients with complete dentures. The system focuses on specific diagnostic variables and uses a checklist format that can be applied rapidly and easily. Although there is currently little published data to indicate a direct relationship between classification and prognosis, the system can be applied by dental students and dental practitioners to determine the demographic characteristics of edentulous patients. For example, the system has been used by undergraduates in a dental school to determine the suitability of patients for treatment and to assign patients needing complex treatment to appropriate staff-student teams. Discussing the classification system with patients helps practitioners to communicate the complexity of treatment required and may aid in reconciling expectations with outcomes.     

Indications and principles of surgical treatment in injuries affecting the thoracolumbar spine

Vertebral fractures are very common and primarily affect the thoracolumbar spine as the result of an isolated injury or in polytrauma patients. The majority of these fractures can be treated non-operatively. Surgical stabilization of thoracolumbar fractures may be indicated after high-energy trauma or in the multiply injured patient. Surgery aims to provide a stable spinal column to allow early mobilization and optimize neurological outcome. This article considers the principles of clinical assessment and decision-making in the surgical management of thoracolumbar fractures. The AO spine thoracolumbar classification system can be used to guide treatment because the choice of surgical strategy depends on the biomechanics of the injury. Most injuries can be stabilized through a posterior approach but anterior column reconstruction can be performed, either as a stand-alone procedure or in order to support a posterior stabilization. The use of minimally invasive techniques is discussed. Interventional spinal technologies for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures are also considered.     

Medical doctors’ knowledge of dental trauma management: A review

Education in dental trauma is extremely important to promote knowledge on the assessment and management of a traumatized tooth. Medical doctors are normally only required to manage the emergency phase of traumatic dental injury (TDI) treatment before referring to a dentist, endodontist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon for continuing care. Medical doctors who possess sufficient theoretical knowledge and are competent enough clinically to handle TDI can provide a higher standard of treatment care and ultimately achieve a better patient outcome. The aim of this literature review was to assess the extent of medical doctors’ knowledge of dental trauma management for injuries in the following four areas: (a) tooth structure; (b) to the supporting bone; (c) to the periodontal tissues; and (d) to the soft tissues. Based on the findings from this literature review, an overall deficiency in knowledge and confidence in managing dental trauma has been identified. Knowledge and understanding to categorize TDI using the same classification of dental injuries commonly used amongst dentists would allow medical doctors to better manage and communicate with dental colleagues concerning referral for further care. If the medical education curriculum provided medical doctors with more information and skills for the management of dental trauma and an understanding of the importance of early management, then more favourable outcomes may prevail for dental trauma patients.     

Surgical treatment of facial dog bite injuries in children.

Although today most injuries of face and head are the result of car and motorcycle accidents, dog bites are a frequent cause of facial injuries in children. In recent years, general guidelines have been established concerning the surgical treatment of facial dog bite injuries in children. We have seen 16 children with such lesions at our hospital in the last 4 years. All children have been treated surgically, under general anaesthesia, by primary closure of the wound with interrupted sutures after having adapted the margins by subcutaneous sutures. In addition, all children have been evaluated 3 months-5 years after the accidents in order to objectify the results of our treatment. Special attention has been attached to the functional and aesthetic outcome. In all cases, we saw good-to-excellent results. Based on this experience we suggest a clinical classification of these injuries in regard to a special therapeutic regime for each stage. In this way, guidelines may be established for the surgeon dealing with these injuries.     

Paediatric acetabular fractures

Paediatric acetabular fractures are rare entities commonly occurring in conjunction with pelvic ring injuries in the context of high-energy trauma. It is important to have a high index of suspicion for extra-pelvic injuries associated with acetabular fractures. Classification of these injuries can be difficult due to the transitional nature of the acetabulum in the immature skeleton and a variety of imaging modalities may be required for diagnosis. Paediatric acetabular fractures can cause significant long-term morbidity for the patient and a multi-disciplinary approach is required for management of these injuries. This article outlines the underlying anatomy of the paediatric acetabulum together with assessment and diagnosis of these rare injuries and discusses management of the various patterns of injury encountered in clinical practice.     

Spinal injuries in the elderly population

The average age of the population is increasing and spinal traumatic injuries of the elderly are significantly more common. This frail population is prone to suffering serious injuries from minor or low-impact trauma when compared to younger patients. The reduced agility and ability to avoid falls in the elderly population may be the result of a combination of decreased stability due to altered sensory mechanisms, progressive spinal deformity, increased rigidity, osteoarthritis and neurological disorders, reduced cognitive function and hypotension, along with polypharmacy. Associated risk factors, including metabolic and autoimmune conditions may significantly increase the risk of morbidity and disability in this group. The most frequent injuries are odontoid fractures, vertebral compression fractures and traumatic central cord syndrome, all of which may be frequently associated with other lesions. Patient resilience and expectations will determine selection of consensual treatment aiming for a balance between maintaining function and achieving recovery. Conservative management is often the preferred method of treatment in the most common spinal injuries in the elderly as non-union or some degree of spinal deformity may be clinically well tolerated. Surgical treatment may provide benefit in the presence of persistent cord compression or spinal instability in patients that can tolerate the procedure. Ultimately, treatment should be tailored individually. Prevention of these injuries should be the focus in a world population with an ever-increasing proportion of elderly people.     

Naso-orbital-ethmoid injury: report of a case and review of the literature

Trauma to the midface severe enough to cause nasal fractures will often result in fractures of the bony naso-orbital-ethmoid (NOE) complex. Extensive damage may be encountered in the interorbital area because of the fragility of the bony framework. The medial orbital walls, ethmoid sinuses, and cribriform area of the anterior cranial fossa can resist a maximum compressive force of only 30 g. NOE injuries are usually the result of either a direct blow sustained during an altercation or of a high-velocity motor vehicle accident. Quite often multiple systemic injuries serve to complicate treatment. NOE fractures present the surgeon with numerous challenges during repair. The delicate bony architecture, anatomic framework, and cosmetic expectations indicate comprehensive, thorough treatment. Damage to the eye, which is basically an extension of the brain, is of major concern. Pupillary discrepancies, retrobulbar hematoma, and damage to the optic nerve must be ruled out. Early surgical management is indicated because delayed repair or inadequate treatment prediposes the patient to defects that may be extremely difficult if not impossible to correct with secondary procedures. Numerous articles have been published describing the NOE injury. The multifaceted array of fractures seen in NOE injuries has been formulated into a comprehensive classification by Gruss.     

Strategies for the endodontic management of concurrent endodontic and periodontal diseases

Endodontic and periodontal diseases can provide many diagnostic and management challenges to clinicians, particularly when they occur concurrently. As with all diseases, a thorough history combined with comprehensive clinical and radiographic examinations are all required so an accurate diagnosis can be made. This is essential since the diagnosis will determine the type and sequence of treatment required. This paper reviews the relevant literature and proposes a new classification for concurrent endodontic and periodontal diseases. This classification is a simple one that will help clinicians to formulate management plans for when these diseases occur concurrently. The key aspects are to determine whether both types of diseases are present, rather than just having manifestations of one disease in the alternate tissue. Once it is established that both diseases are present and that they are as a result of infections of each tissue, then the clinician must determine whether the two diseases communicate via the periodontal pocket so that appropriate management can be provided using the guidelines outlined. In general, if the root canal system is infected, endodontic treatment should be commenced prior to any periodontal therapy in order to remove the intracanal infection before any cementum is removed. This avoids several complications and provides a more favourable environment for periodontal repair. The endodontic treatment can be completed before periodontal treatment is provided when there is no communication between the disease processes. However, when there is communication between the two disease processes, then the root canals should be medicated until the periodontal treatment has been completed and the overall prognosis of the tooth has been reassessed as being favourable. The use of non-toxic intracanal therapeutic medicaments is essential to destroy bacteria and to help encourage tissue repair.     

Soft tissue pediatric facial trauma: a review

Facial soft tissue injuries are common in pediatric trauma patients. Early diagnosis and definitive treatment as well as good postoperative wound care are important when dealing with soft tissue injuries, such as facial nerve and parotid injuries, animal bites, avulsive skin wounds and eyelid and ear lacerations. Children heal quickly, but they also tend to develop hypertrophic scars. Proper wound management during the healing period can help to minimize the risk of adverse scar formation. Dentists may be involved in the initial assessment of these patients. Knowledge of the diagnosis and management of soft tissue trauma is useful when dealing with pediatric patients and their parents postoperatively.     

Pelvic emergency management: the first 24 hours

Pelvic ring injuries are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the polytrauma patient. Mortality rates from pelvic ring injuries have declined, unrelated to injury severity. This is due to an improved understanding of trauma as a disease, initial and subsequent management options. There are a number of guidelines pertaining to these injuries. These have been brought together to provide an overview of the current guidance on the emergent management of these complex injuries. The foundations of treatment for these injuries includes the following: recognition of the high energy involved, rapid assessment, resuscitation and temporary stabilization of bony and soft tissue injuries. It is important to involve a multidisciplinary team prior to definitive management. By following the guidance set out by this article, the orthopaedic trauma team in the receiving hospital can optimize the patient and prepare them for transfer to the regional major trauma centre. This will improve patient morbidity and mortality and ensure standardization of pelvic trauma management in the first 24 hours.     

Medial collateral ligament of the knee: anatomy,management and surgical techniques for reconstruction

The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is the most commonly injured ligament in the knee. The incidence is reported to be 0.24 per 1000 per year, and twice as high in males. The majority of MCL injuries are isolated, occurring in young sportsmen and women. However, they can occur in association with other injuries of the knee, most commonly the anterior cruciate ligament. Most injuries to the medial supporting structures occur as a result of valgus forces; but in sports, these can be a result of skiing injuries or ‘cutting’ manoeuvres. The majority of MCL injuries heal well with non-operative management and rarely require surgery; but if acute injuries are insufficiently treated or missed, the result can be chronic laxity. This chapter reviews the existing literature on common history and examination findings in MCL injuries. There are a number of classification systems designed to grade the severity of injury, which are based on the amount of laxity and the ability of the assessor to feel an end-point. There has been significant advancement in the understanding of the anatomy and biomechanics of the different components of the MCL. The anatomical landmarks of the superficial and deep MCL as well as the posterior oblique ligament are discussed along with the function of these individual structures. Although most MCL injuries heal well with non-operative management, there are a number of indications for operative intervention. These include open and multi-ligament knee injuries, as well as chronic instability. Broadly these are divide into repair or reconstruction categories. Repair is best performed in acute cases, where surgery is indicated for other reasons such as a meniscal tear; whereas reconstruction is best reserved for chronic instability. The reconstruction techniques including the Lind and LaPrade are described.     

Fractures of the mandible: role of the general dentist.

Mandibular fractures are the second most common facial fracture, the majority being the result of interpersonal violence, road traffic accidents, or sports injuries. Although most of these patients attend a hospital, it is not uncommon for patients with these injuries to present first to the general dentist, perhaps complaining of a loose tooth or abnormal bite. A careful history should be taken from the patient in order to identify the possibility of other injuries. Mandibular fractures are rarely life-threatening, although airway difficulties can arise. A systematic approach to diagnosis is essential if fractures are not to be missed, including radiological assessment in two planes at right angles. The initial treatment consists of airway management, control of fracture segments, and pharmacologic management. Most fractures have been traditionally managed by the use of intermaxillary fixation; however, increasing use is being made of open reduction and internal fixation techniques. Occasionally, general dentists are involved in the post-operative care of the patient following definitive management.