Tibial Pilon fractures Internal plate fixation versus external wire fixation

A M ED LIN E search w as conducted to identify studiepublished betw een January 1998and January 2004usininternal plate fixation or external wire fixation for treatm ent of tibial Pilon fractures.The search strategy identified 20articles thatreportedoutcom…     

Intraarticular distal radial fractures External fixation versus open reduction with internal fixation

Results of three randomized controlled trials, class of evidenceⅡ, comparing external fixation (EF) with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for the treatment of intraarticular distal radial fractures described no consistent benefit of one treatment over another. Only grip strength was significantly better with EF compared with ORIF in two studies. There was a suggestion of fewer complications, more rapid return of function, and better functional outcome with EF, but these results were not consistent across studies. No statistically significant differences in rates of infection or reflex sympathetic dystrophy were seen between treatment groups. Larger, methodologically sound randomized controlled trials are needed to determine whether treatment with EF is indeed preferable to ORIF.     

Biomechanical analysis of bicondylar tibial plateau fixation: how does lateral locking plate fixation compare to dual plate fixation?

OBJECTIVES: This study is designed to test the comparative strength of lateral-only locked plating to medial and lateral nonlocked plating in a cadaveric model of a bicondylar proximal tibial plateau fracture. METHODS: Ten matched pairs of human cadaveric proximal tibia specimens were used for biomechanical testing. Cyclic loading using a materials testing device simulated initial range of motion and load bearing following surgical repair. Subsidence of the medial and the lateral condyles was measured following 10,000 cycles from 100N to 1,000N; the maximum load to failure on the medial condyle for both plate constructs was also measured. RESULTS: On the lateral side, dual plating (DP) allowed an average of 0.68 +/- 0.14 mm of subsidence, compared with 1.03 +/- 0.27 mm for the fixed-angle plate (FAP) (P = 0.077). On the medial side, DP allowed an average of 0.78 +/- 0.15 mm of subsidence, compared with 1.51 +/- 0.32 mm for the FAP (P = 0.045). No significant difference was found in the maximal load to medial condyle fixation failure between either plating construct (P = 0.204). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that dual-plate fixation allows less subsidence in this bicondylar tibial plateau cadaveric model when compared to isolated locked lateral plates. This may raise concerns about the widespread use of isolated lateral locked plate constructs in bicondylar tibial plateau fractures.     

Treatment of Gustilo grade Ⅲ leg fractures by external fixation associated with limited internal fixation

Objective： To explore the clinical effects of external fixation associated with limited internal fixation on treatment of Gustilo grade Ⅲ leg fractures. Methods： From July 2006 to December 2008, 40 cases of Gustilo grade Ⅲ leg fractures were emergently treated in our unit with external fixation frames. Soft tissue injuries were grouped according to the Gustilo classification as ⅢA in 17 cases, ⅢB in 13 cases, and ⅢC in 10 cases. All the patients were debrided within 8 hours, and then fracture reposition was preformed to reestablish the leg alignment. Limited internal fixation with plates and screws were performed on all the Gustilo IliA cases and 10 Gustilo ⅢB cases at the first operation. But all the Gustilo ⅢC cases and 3 Gustilo ⅢB cases who had severe soft tissue injuries and bone loss only received Vacuum-sealing drainage （VSD）. Broad-spectrum antibiotics were regularly used and VSD must be especially maintained easy and smooth for one week or more after operation. Limited internal fixation and transplanted free skin flaps or adjacent musculocutaneous flaps were not used to close wounds until the conditions of the wounds had been improved. Results： The first operations were completed within 90-210 minutes （170 minutes on average）. The blood trans- fusions were from 400 ml to 1500 ml （those used for antishock preoperatively not included）. All the 40 patients in this study were followed up for 6-28 months, 20.5 months on average. The lower limb function was evaluated according to the comprehensive evaluation standards of leg function one year after operation and the results of 28 cases were excellent, 9 were good and 3 were poor. Conclusion： External fixation associated with limited internal fixation to treat Gustilo grade Ⅲ leg fractures can get satisfactory early clinical therapeutic effects.     

Sacrospinous ligament fixation for hysteropexy: does concomitant anterior and posterior fixation improve surgical outcome?

Introduction and hypothesis

Uterine preservation in uterine prolapse is an option for young patients. We hypothesized that sacrospinous hysteropexy (SSH) with anchorage to both the anterior and posterior cervix (SSH-ap) would have a better outcome than SSH with anchorage to the posterior cervix only (SSH-p).

Methods

This was a retrospective study including 75 patients who underwent SSH at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital between March 2008 and August 2013. Five were excluded due to incomplete data. Of the remaining 70 patients, 35 underwent SSH-p between March 2008 and June 2011, and 35 underwent SSH-ap between June 2010 and August 2013. The primary outcome was the objective anatomical result, and a successful outcome was considered anatomical correction (POP-Q stage 1 or less) of anterior and apical prolapse. Subjective outcome was evaluated using the POPDI-6 questionnaire, and a patient response of “No or mild abdominal organ falling out sensation” together with “No or mild heaviness” was considered to indicate a successful outcome. Anterior fornix and cervical diameter measurements were included. The secondary outcome was quality of life according to the UDI-6, IIQ-7, POPDI-6, and PISQ-12 questionnaires. The 3-year outcome was used for comparison.

Results

The subjective overall cure rates were significantly different between the SSH-p and SSH-ap groups (74.3% and 94.3%, respectively; p = 0.023). However, the objective overall cure rates were not significantly different (74.3% and 82.9%, respectively).

Conclusion

Anchorage of the anterior cervix and vaginal wall together with the usual posterior anchorage yield better subjective outcomes and apical suspension at 3 years after surgery than anchorage of the posterior cervix and vaginal wall only. The cervix position affected the subjective outcome. Concurrent trachelectomy did not affect the outcome.

     

Humeral shaft fractures Intramedullary nail versus plate fixation

AelectronicsearchwasperformedtoidentifystudiespublishedfromMay1998toOctober2003comparingintramedullarynailingtoplatefixationforfracturesofthehumeralshaft.Fromalistof17articlesidentifiedfromthesearchstrategy,fourcomparedintramedullarynailingtoplatefixation.Twowererandomizedclinicaltrials,onewasacohortstudy,andonewasacaseserieswithahistoricalcontrol.Allareincludedinthisappraisal.Weexcludedstudiesevaluatingthesetreatmentsindelayedornonunions.StudiesforthiscaseStudy1McCormackRG,BrienD,Buckley…     

Surgical fixation of sternal fractures: locked plate fixation by low-profile titanium plates—surgical safety through depth limited drilling

Purpose

Operative treatment of sternal fractures has become a matter of increasing interest. Anterior plating seems to be the most appropriate method for fixing sternal fractures. However, there are several concerns in relation to the operative procedure such as severe injuries to mediastinal organs, patient comfort and proper stabilisation, for example. This paper describes a safe method of anterior sternal plating using locked plate fixation with limited depth drilling.

Methods

Ten patients with sternal fractures were included in this cohort study and were treated by anterior plating using one or two plates in parallel through a median approach to the sternum. Follow up was performed after six weeks, 12 weeks and six months.

Results

Follow up revealed no serious complications. One patient suffered from postoperative wound seroma. No problems were caused by the plates.

Conclusions

Sternal plating using low profile locked titanium plates seems to be a safe and stable method with a high level of patient comfort.     

Posterolateral plate fixation with Pantalarlock® is more stable than nail fixation in tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis in a biomechanical cadaver study

BackgroundDespite the promising results of ankle joint arthroplasty, the tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis remains an established procedure in treatment of combined pathology of the ankle and subtalar joint. Despite the promising results in biomechanical investigations, nonunion rates of up to 24% are described in recent studies. The objective of this work was a comparative study of the biomechanical properties of the posterolateral plate fixation with retrograde intramedullary nail fixation.MethodsTwenty four fresh-frozen human lower leg specimens (12 pairs) were used for the comparative biomechanical testing. Every specimen was preconditioned with 100 N over 200 cycles. After every 250 cycles the force was increased by 50 N from 200 to 600 N. This was followed by cyclic loading in dorsi-/plantiflexion with 800 N for 3000 cycles. All specimens were subjected to bone densitometry (DXA) and computed tomography.ResultsSignificantly higher number of spacimens with nails (4) failed during the cycling testing in dorsi-/plantarflexion and futher two during the cyclic testing with 800 N. Two specimens with plates failed during the cyclic testing with 800 N. Statistical analysis showed that the specimens with the plate were significantly more stable in each test direction. The Pearson correlation demonstrated for the specimens with plate a linear relationship between the stiffness and the determined bone density.ConclusionsThe results demonstrate a significantly superior stiffness of the Pantalarlock®-plate in all testing directions compared with the HAN nail. Probably the position of the plate on the tension side of the joint and the combination of locking and lag screws provide the higher stiffness of the plate system. The correlation of the stiffness with bone density leads to more predictable results of the plate arthrodesis. We hope for a reduction of the pseudarthrosis rate and shorten the postoperative treatment phase. The authors expect advantages in the treatment of high risk patients with severe deformity of the ankle, bone defects, neuropathic deformity, poor bone quality and osteoporosis.     

Screw-plate fixation versus non-cannulated screw fixation for Lisfranc ligament injury: A 3-D finite element analysis北大核心CSCD

Objective To compare biomechanical stabilities between screw-plate fixation and non-cannulated screw fixation for Lisfranc ligament injury by a 3-D finite element analysis. Methods A 3-D model of a healthy foot was developed from computed tomography images. The 1st and the 2nd dorsal tarsometatarsal ligaments and Lisfranc ligament were cut in the 3-D model of a healthy foot to establish a Lisfranc ligament injury model, in which screw-plate fixation (with 2 locking plates and 8 standard screws and one non-cannulated screw) and non-cannulated screw fixation (with 3 non-cannulated screws) for Lisfranc ligament injury were simulated respectively. Finite element analyses were carried out by Abaqus 6.14 software after loads were added in the 3-D models of screw-plate fixation and non-cannulated screw fixation for Lisfranc ligament injury. The overall stress-strain nephogram, the stress distribution and displacement of the foot bone, and the stress distribution on the internal fixation system were compared between the 2 kinds of models. Results Under the same load, the stress of the whole screw-plate fixation was concentrated on the fixators, and the stress of the non-cannulated screws was also greater than that of the bones. In both models, the strain of the whole foot led to arch collapse, especially in the medial column. The maximum stress on the screw holes in the medial and middle columns in the screw-plate fixation model was 39.91 MPa, smaller than that in the non-cannulated screw fixation model (53.13 MPa). The relative displacement of the first metatarsal joint in the screw-plate fixation model was 8.515 × 10-1 mm, much greater than that in the non-cannulated screw fixation model (3.893 × 10-1 mm). Stress concentration was observed in both models. The stress of the screw-plate system was concentrated on the fibular side of the middle section of the plate used to fix the first tarsometatarsal joint, decreasing towards both ends. The maximum stress of the non-cannulated screws was located in the middle of the medial column screw for fixation of the first tarsometatarsal joint, significantly greater than those of the both ends. The maximum stress of the screw-plate system was 239.5 MPa, smaller than that of the non-cannulated screws (256.8 MPa). Conclusions Non-cannulated screw fixation demonstrates a greater biomechanical stability for Lisfranc ligament injury than screw-plate fixation. However, the former may have a higher risk of screw breakage because it bears a greater stress. © 2023 Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma. All rights reserved.     

Pedicle screw fixation against burst fracture of thoracolumbar vertebrae

Objective： To analyze the application of vertebral pedicle screw fixation in the treatment of burst fracture of thoracolumbar vertebrae. Methods： A total of 48 cases （31 males and 17 females, aged from 18-72 years, mean： 41.3 years ） with thoracolumbar vertebrae burst fracture were treated by pedicle screw system since January 2004. According to the AO classification of thoracolumbar vertebrae fracture, there are 36 cases of Type A, 9 of Type B and 3 of Type C. Results： All patients were followed up for 6-25 months （average 12 months ）, no secondary nerve root injury, spinal cord injury, loosening or breakage of pedicle screw were observed. The nerve function of 29 patients with cauda eqnina nerve injury was restored to different degrees. The vertebral body height returned to normal level and posterior process angle was rectified after operation. Conclusions： The vertebral pedicle screw internal fixation was technologically applicable, which can efficiently reposition and stablize the bursting fractured vertabrae, indirectly decompress canalis spinalis, maintain spine stablity, scatter stress of screw system, reduce the risk of loosening or breakage of screw and loss of vertebral height, and prevent the formation of posterior convex after operation.     

CT-guided internal fixation of a hangman’s fracture

Most hangman’s fractures are treated conservatively. If surgery is indicated, an anterior approach using a C2/C3 graft and plate fusion is usually preferred. Another surgical method according to Judet is direct transpedicular osteosynthesis by the dorsal approach. This surgery is frequently rejected because of the high risk of spinal cord damage or vertebral artery tear. Direct transpedicular osteosynthesis of hangman’s fracture according to Judet is a “physiological operation” that does not cause fusion and creates anatomical conditions. This procedure enables appropriate reduction, compression of fragments and immediate stabilization of the C2 segment. A new aspect of Judet’s method of internal fixation of a hangman’s fracture is now proposed. Computed tomographic (CT) guidance is used to ensure safe and exact introduction of two screws from the posterior approach. This method of CT-guided internal fixation of hangman’s fracture allows, preoperatively, for an accurate assessment of the pattern and course of fracture line, selection of the anatomically safest screw path and determination of an appropriate screw length. The procedure also allows for accurate intraoperative control of instrument and implant placement, screw tightening, fracture reduction and anchoring of the screw tip in the contralateral cortex, using repeated CT scans. The procedure is performed in a CT unit under sterile conditions. This method was used in the treatment of eight male and two female patients aged 21–71 years. All treated patients were without neurological deficit. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 57 months (mean 33.3 months). No intraoperative or early or late postoperative complications were apparent. This new aspect of the surgical procedure ensures highly accurate screw placement and minimal risks, and fully achieves the “physiological” internal fixation. Received: 25 January 1999/Revised: 26 February 2000/Accepted: 23 March 2000     

Transoral atlantoaxial reduction plate fixation for irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation

Irreducibleatlantoaxialdislocation(IAAD)withventralspinalcordcompressionisadifficultclinicalproblemtotreat.Historically,occiput cervicalinternalfixationhasoftenbeenperformedafter decompressionusingananteriortransoralapproach.Generally,however,atlantoaxialreductioncannotbe accomplishedinthesamemannerascervicalmotion significantlydecreasesandthedecompressionfactoris notsufficient.1,2Asaresult,webegantoutilizea transoralapproachtotreatIAADwithventralcord compressionfrom1984,andourpreliminaryre…     

Does optimal timing for spine fracture fixation exist?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of timing of spine fracture fixation on outcome in multiply injured patients. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: There is little consensus regarding the optimal timing of spine fracture fixation after blunt trauma. Potential advantages of early fixation include earlier patient mobilization and fewer septic complications; disadvantages include compounded complications from associated injuries and inconvenience of surgical scheduling. METHODS: Patients with spine fractures from blunt trauma admitted to an urban level 1 trauma center during a 42-month period who required surgical spine fracture fixation were identified from the registry. Patients were analyzed according to timing of fixation, level of spine injury, and impact of associated injuries (measured by injury severity score). Early fixation was defined as within 3 days of injury, and late fixation was after 3 days. Outcomes analyzed were intensive care unit and hospital stay, ventilator days, pneumonia, survival, and hospital charges. RESULTS: Two hundred ninety-one patients had spine fracture fixation, 142 (49%) early and 149 (51%) late. Patients were clinically similar relative to age, admission blood pressure, injury severity score, and chest abbreviated injury scale score. The intensive care unit stay was shorter for patients with early fixation. The incidence of pneumonia was lower for patients with early fixation. Charges were lower for patients with early fixation. Patients were stratified by level of spine injury. There were 163 cervical (83 early, 80 late), 79 thoracic (30 early, 49 late), and 49 lumbar fractures (29 early, 20 late). There were no differences in injury severity between early and late groups for each fracture site. The most striking differences occurred in the thoracic fracture group. Early fixation was associated with a lower incidence of pneumonia, a shorter intensive care unit stay, fewer ventilator days, and lower charges. High-risk patients had lower pneumonia rates and less hospital resource utilization with early fixation. CONCLUSIONS: Early spine fracture fixation is safely performed in multiply injured patients. Early fixation is preferred in patients with thoracic spine fractures because it allows earlier mobilization and reduces the incidence of pneumonia. Although delaying fixation in the less severely injured may be convenient for scheduling, it increases hospital resource utilization and patient complications.     

Extracapsular hip fractures——Intramedullary versus extramedullary fixation

A M E D LIN E search w as conducted to identifystudies published from January1998to Septem ber2003com paring extram edullary and intram edullary fixation forextracapsular fractures of the hip.F rom a list of208ar-ticles,five w ere random ized clinical tri…