Pulmonary contusions in patients with rib fractures: The need to better classify a common injury

BackgroundPulmonary contusions are common injuries. Computed tomography reveals vast contused lung volume spectrum, yet pulmonary contusions are defined dichotomously (unilateral vs bilateral). We assessed whether there is stepwise increased risk of pulmonary complications among patients without, with unilateral, and with bilateral pulmonary contusion.MethodsWe identified adults admitted with rib fractures using the largest US inpatient database. After propensity-score-matching patients without vs with unilateral vs bilateral pulmonary contusions and adjusting for residual confounders, we compared risk for pneumonia, ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), respiratory failure, intubation, and mortality.ResultsAmong 148,140 encounters of adults with multiple rib fractures, 19% had concomitant pulmonary contusions. Matched patients with pulmonary contusions had increased risk of pneumonia 19% [95%CI:16–33%], respiratory failure 40% [95%CI: 31–50%], and intubation 46% [95%CI: 33–61%]. Delineation showed bilateral contusions, not unilateral contusions, attributed to increased risk of complications.ConclusionsThere is likely a correlation between contused lung volume and risk of pulmonary complications; dichotomously classifying pulmonary contusions is insufficient. Better understanding this correlation requires establishing the clinically significant contusion volume and a correspondingly refined classification system.     

Management of Neglected Upper Cervical Spine Injuries

BackgroundInjuries involving upper cervical spine are serious and fatal injuries which are associated with alteration of normal occipital–cervical anatomy. These injuries may result in permanent neurologic deficits or neck deformity if not treated in a timely and appropriate manner.ObjectiveTo evaluate the outcomes of neglected upper cervical spine injuries treated by various methods.Study designRetrospective study.Materials and methodsTwelve patients attending ER or OPD with a history of neck trauma and who were diagnosed with fractures and fracture dislocations C1 and C2 were included in the study. Fresh injuries sustained within a week were excluded from study. The outcomes were measured in terms of improvement in VAS, ODI Scores and correction of the neck deformity. Surgical parameters like duration of surgery and blood loss were also observed.ResultsEleven males and one female. The mean age was 40.9 ± 16.9 (07–67 years). Eleven patients underwent posterior instrumentation, while one patient was treated anteriorly. The mean delay in presentation was 28 ± 8.67 days (15–42 days). The mean duration of surgery was 188.3 ± 34.35 min (120–240 min), average blood loss was 350 ± 111.8 ml (150–600 ml). The mean VAS improved from 8.45 ± 0.89 to 3.9 ± 0.51 (p < 0.05). The mean ODI Pre-operatively was 88.45 ± 5.89 which improved to 31.9 ± 4.01 (p < 0.05). The neck deformity/torticollis was corrected in all the patients.ConclusionsNeglected upper cervical spine injuries are difficult to treat and a posterior approach is helpful in reducing the subluxations indirectly and to obtain a posterior fusion.     

尺骨截骨位置不同对手术治疗儿童陈旧性孟氏骨折预后的影响

目的 探讨手术治疗儿童陈旧性孟氏骨折尺骨截骨点位置不同对疗效的影响。方法 回顾性队列研究。纳入2015年6月—2021年6月安徽省儿童医院骨科收治的68例儿童陈旧性孟氏骨折患者的临床资料,其中男42例、女26例,年龄3~12（6.6±2.4）岁。受伤至手术时间1~60个月,平均8.6个月。BadoⅠ型骨折60例,Ⅲ型8例。患儿均采用尺骨近端截骨矫形治疗,术中选择尺骨畸形最明显处截断尺骨,按照截骨点至尺骨近端间距占尺骨全长的比例不同分为3组,A组（占比≤25%）27例、B组（25%<占比<30%）20例、C组（占比≥30%）21例。观察指标：（1）对比3组患儿临床基线资料。（2）对比3组患儿手术时间,观察术后患肘肱桡关系恢复情况,尺骨截骨处愈合情况,以及并发症发生情况。（3）术后定期随访。取出内固定前,测量对比3组患儿肘关节旋前、旋后、伸肘、屈肘角度,采用Kim肘关节功能评分表评估并对比3组患儿肘关节功能;拆除内固定后,采用影像学Nakamura分级标准评估并对比3组患儿肘关节功能。结果 （1）3组患儿性别、年龄、患肢侧别、骨折分型、受伤至手术时间、术前患肢肘关节活动度等基线资料比较,差异均无统计学意义（P值均>0.05）。（2）3组患儿均顺利完成手术,A组手术时间为（100.6±31.7）min,B组为（133.0±24.2）min,C组为（94.9±28.6）min,差异无统计学意义（F=1.02,P=0.367）。术后第3天肘关节正侧位X线片示肱桡关系均恢复正常。A组有1例术后切口感染,予以抗感染治疗后愈合。68例患儿均获得随访,随访时间6~36个月,平均8.7个月。A组术后发生肱桡关节再脱位3例、半脱位3例,B组发生半脱位3例,C组发生半脱位2例、尺骨延迟愈合1例;3组间并发症发生情况比较,差异均无统计学意义（P值均>0.05）。3组患儿尺骨截骨处愈合时间比较,差异无统计学意义（F=0.01,P=0.989）。（3）3组患儿取出内固定前,肘关节旋前、旋后、伸肘、屈肘角度,以及Kim肘关节功能评定比较,差异均无统计学意义（P值均>0.05）。拆除内固定后,影像学Nakamura分级评定肘关节功能比较,3组间差异无统计学意义（Z=1.73,P=0.422）。结论 儿童陈旧性孟氏骨折采用尺骨近端截骨矫形治疗,术中选择尺骨畸形最明显处截断尺骨,尺骨截骨点位置的不同对患儿预后无明显影响。     

Analysis of factors among 30-day and 1-year mortality rates in patients with borderline stable-unstable intertrochanteric hip fracture

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the possible effects of surgical procedures on mortality and to identify the possible risk factors for mortality in the management of geriatric hip fractures.MethodsA total of 191 patients (105 women and 86 men; mean age 82.26±9.681 [60–108] years) with AO/OTA 31A2.2 intertrochanteric fractures and treated with sliding hip screw, proximal femoral nail, or hemiarthroplasty were included in this retrospective cohort study. The treatment type was decided by the responsible surgeon according to the patients’ pre-injury activity level, bone quality, and features of the fracture. Age, sex, type of fracture, type of surgery performed, American society of anesthesiology (ASA) grade, type of anesthesia, time to surgery, type of physical therapy, length of hospital stay, and number of comorbidities were documented. We evaluated the 30-day and 1-year mortality of patients treated with sliding hip screw (SHS), proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFN-A), or hemiarthroplasty and identified the possible risk factors for mortality.ResultsA total of 49 patients underwent SHS, 58 underwent PFN-A, and 84 underwent hemiarthroplasty. Of these, 2 patients with SHS, 2 with PFN-A, and 11 with hemiarthroplasty died within 30 days after surgery, whereas 7 patients with SHS, 15 with PFN-A, and 23 with hemiarthroplasty died 1 year after surgery. The 30-day and 1-year overall mortality rates were 7.9% and 23.6%, respectively. Both the 30-day and 1-year mortality risks were higher in patients undergoing hemiarthroplasty than in patients undergoing SHS (p=0.068 versus 0.058). The 30-day mortality was higher in patients receiving general anesthesia than in those receiving combined spinal and epidural anesthesia (p=0.009). The 1-year mortality risk was higher in patients with ASA grade 4 than in those with grade 1 and 2 (p=0.045). Advanced age (p=0.022) and male sex (p=0.007) were also found to be the risk factors for 1-year mortality.ConclusionWe demonstrated that higher ASA grade, male sex, general anesthesia, and hemiarthroplasty procedures are associated with higher mortality rates in elderly patients with hip fractures. Thus, we highly recommend orthopedic surgeons to consider all these factors in the management of intertrochanteric hip fractures in the geriatric population.Level of EvidenceLevel IV, Prognostic Study     

骨盆前环皮下内固定支架与微创经皮钢板内固定治疗骨盆前环骨折的疗效比较

目的 比较前环皮下内固定支架（INFIX）和微创经皮钢板内固定（MIPPO）治疗骨盆前环骨折的疗效。方法 回顾性分析2016年7月至2020年5月我院收治且符合标准的48例不稳定型骨盆骨折病人的临床资料,其中INFIX组22例,MIPPO组26例。INFIX组,男15例,女7例,年龄为（36.89±11.12）岁（21~58岁）。MIPPO组,男17例,女9例,年龄为（43.70±17.66）岁（21~71岁）。比较两组手术时间、术中出血量、骨折复位质量（Matta标准）、骨折愈合时间、骨折术后功能恢复情况（Majeed评分系统）,并记录并发症。结果 两组均获得随访,随访时间为5~17个月,平均为13个月。INFIX组手术时间[（75.41±15.25） min]低于MIPPO组[（85.62±17.92） min],差异无统计学意义（t=-5.154,P=0.101）;INFIX组术中出血量[（30.27±7.67） mL]明显低于MIPPO组[（111.15±24.30） mL],差异有统计学意义（t=-14.971,P=0.006）;两组负重时间[（16.00±2.06）周vs.（15.94±2.32）周]、Majeed评分[（81.90±7.73）分vs.（83.44±3.54）分]、骨折复位优良率[81.8% vs.84.6%]比较,差异均无统计学意义（P均＞0.05）,但MIPPO组能够达到更好的解剖复位。INFIX组1例病人出现股外侧皮神经损伤,两组病人未出现内固定失败情况。结论 治疗骨盆前环骨折,INFIX具有出血少、手术创伤小等优点,钢板能够达到更好的解剖复位,两组具有相似的术后功能恢复情况。可根据术者经验和病人具体情况选择适宜的固定方式。     

The Effect of a PEEK Material‐Based External Fixator in the Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures with Non‐Transarticular External Fixation

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of a PEEK material‐based external fixator in the treatment of distal radius fractures with non‐transarticular external fixation.MethodsThere were 48 patients in this prospective comparative study. They were divided into two groups according to the materials used: the PEEK group and the titanium group. Wrist dorsiflexion, palmar flexion, pronation, supination, radial deviation, ulnar deviation, grip strength of the palm on the affected side, kneading force, Visual Analogue Scale/Score (VAS), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, operation time, frequency of fluoroscopy procedures, and X‐ray results were compared between the two groups. Functional recovery was evaluated at the last follow‐up according to the wrist joint evaluation criteria.ResultsThe baseline data were comparable between the two groups, and no significant differences were found in age, sex, fracture types (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the results of DASH, grip strength, and recovery of pinch force and wrist function (dorsiflexion, clavicle, ulnar deviation, deviation, pronation, and supination) (P > 0.05). Normal limb function was achieved in the two groups of patients at an average of 6 weeks after surgery, and there was no significant difference in X‐ray examination radial height (10.60 ± 1.59 vs 11.00 ± 1.53, P = 0.687), radial inclination (1.11 ± 0.24 vs 1.12 ± 0.24, P = 0.798), volar tilt (10.33 ± 2.13 vs 10.00 ± 2.08, P = 0.660), ulnar variance (20.87 ± 3.00 vs 20.38 ± 3.04, P = 0.748), and step‐off persistence (1.73 ± 0.69 vs 1.68 ± 0.72, P = 0.425) between the two groups (P > 0.05). However, the operation time (54.80 ± 12.20 vs 85.23 ± 15.14, P = 0.033) and number of fluoroscopy procedures (36.93 ± 6.89 vs 64.77 ± 9.74, P = 0.000) in the PEEK group were significantly reduced compared with those in the titanium group.ConclusionCompared with the traditional titanium external fixator, the PEEK composite external fixator has advantages, such as a shorter operation time and fewer fluoroscopy procedures when used to treat different types of distal radius fracture.     

Risk Factors and Outcomes for Preoperative Asymptomatic Pulmonary Embolism in Patients Aged 60 Years and Over with Hip Fracture

ObjectiveTo investigate the risk factors for, and outcomes of, preoperative asymptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients ≥60 years old following delayed operation for hip fracture.MethodsFrom March 2017 to December 2018, 90 patients aged ≥60 years with hip fracture who suffered a delay in surgery were recruited to this prospective study following admission to our hospital. Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) was used to detect preoperative asymptomatic PE and calculated its incidence. Time from injury to admission, baseline characteristics, medical comorbidities, and blood biomarker levels were evaluated as potential risk factors. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors. Mortality and major bleeding events were recorded and compared between individuals with PE and without. Data were analyzed by t‐test, Mann–Whitney U test, χ ² test, Fisher''s exact test, and logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe incidence of preoperative asymptomatic PE was 18.9% (17/90 patients). In the univariate analysis, the risk factors for preoperative asymptomatic PE were male sex, hypertension, cerebrovascular accident, smoking, plasma D‐dimer level, potassium level, urea level, creatinine level, and cysteine level. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of preoperative asymptomatic PE was higher in patients with hypertension (odds ratio [OR] = 10.048; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.118–90.333), cerebrovascular accident (OR = 20.135; 95% CI, 1.875–216.164), smoking (OR = 48.741; 95% CI, 4.155–571.788), high plasma D‐dimer levels (OR = 1.200; 95% CI, 1.062–157.300), and high plasma potassium levels (OR = 12.928; 95% CI, 1.062–157.300). All patients were followed up for 21.0 months (range, 2 to 36 months). Mortality within the first year postoperatively was higher in patients with PE (29.41% vs 9.59%, P = 0.046).ConclusionsIn view of the high incidence of preoperative asymptomatic PE and the inferior prognosis in individuals with PE, routine CTPA examination for preoperative asymptomatic PE could be useful for patients aged ≥60 years with hip fracture for whom surgery is delayed.     

Cementless Hemiarthroplasty for Intracapsular Femoral Neck Fractures in the Octa- and Nonagenarians

BackgroudCurrent evidence supports the use of cemented hemiarthroplasty for treatment of intracapsular femoral neck fractures since it is associated with a lower risk of implant-related complications. However, many medical centers employ the cementless technique for the frail elderly population because it is faster and has lower cardiovascular risks and perioperative mortality. This observational study reports the outcomes of cementless bipolar hemiarthroplasty for intracapsular femoral neck fractures in patients aged 80 years and older.MethodsA total of 424 patients (female, 77.1%) with a mean age of 86.9 years were operated for intracapsular femoral neck fractures between January 2009 and December 2017. Of those, 66.7% had an American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) score of 3 or more. All operations were performed with the posterolateral surgical approach and all patients received a cementless stem. Intraoperative and perioperative values and in-hospital outcomes were evaluated, and clinical and radiographical follow-up was done at 40 days, 90 days, and when possible between 5 months and 12 months postoperatively. Multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate if there were factors affecting mortality.ResultsThe mean operative time was 50 minutes. There were no deaths intraoperatively. Intraoperative periprosthetic fractures occurred in 2.1% of the cases with 66.7% of them fixed through cerclage wires intraoperatively. The median length of hospitalization was 11 days (interquartile range, 8.75–15) and 2.4% of patients died while in hospital after surgery. Approximately 91.5% of patients presented with perioperative anemia. Only 1.9% of the complications were related to the implant, 62.5% of which were dislocations. More than 90% of patients were ambulatory either autonomously or with support at each follow-up assessment. Age, male sex, and higher ASA score were related to increased mortality.ConclusionsDespite some limitations, this observational study underlines that a cementless femoral stem of modern design can give good clinical outcomes, thus being an appropriate solution especially for the frail elderly.