Intramedullary fixation of pediatric forearm diaphyseal fractures

Surgical treatment of pediatric forearm fractures is controversial. In this retrospective study, we reviewed 24 skeletally immature radial and ulnar fractures in 24 patients treated with intramedullary Rush pins and/or Kirschner wires between 1994 and 1999. The indication for surgical intervention was unacceptable closed reduction, unstable fracture pattern, open fracture, or recurrence after nonsurgical treatment. For each patient, a sugar tong splint was used for 4 weeks, and pins were removed 8 weeks after surgery. Average length of follow-up was 32 months (range, 6-58 months). All fractures in this series healed. Average time to union was 8 weeks. There were no complications of delayed union, nonunion, infection, or neurovascular injury. All patients regained full range of motion of the injured extremity.     

Intramedullary locking nails for femoral shaft fractures in elderly patients

Fractures of the femoral shaft are generally considered to affect young patients, but we have reviewed 24 cases in patients over 60 years who have been treated by locked nailing, usually by closed methods. Most were women with low-velocity injuries, but despite this, 14 fractures were significantly comminuted. The complication rate was 54% with a peri-operative mortality of 17%. Most complications were the general ones of operating on elderly patients. Specific complications included: fractures below an abnormal hip, proximal fracture related to the nail and poor purchase in the distal femur. In all survivors, the femoral shaft fractures united satisfactorily, and the fixation allowed early mobilisation. The locking nail appears to be an effective method of managing femoral shaft fractures in the elderly patient.     

Intramedullary flexible nail fixation of unstable pediatric tibial diaphyseal fractures

Flexible intramedullary nail fixation provides excellent fixation in children with unstable tibial shaft fractures, but few published series demonstrate the results and complications with this technique in children. A retrospective review of 19 patients was performed, as well as a biomechanical analysis of two implant configurations. Outcome measures included union rates, residual deformity, and complications. Union occurred in all cases. Five patients (26%) had complications. None required repeat operation. Two (11%) angular deformities (>/=10 degrees) occurred with the medial C and S construct, versus none with the double C. The C and S construct was more stable to mechanical testing with axial and torsional loading. Flexible intramedullary nail fixation is a straightforward technique that reliably produces good results. While the C and S construct was superior in biomechanical testing, the double C construct is more reliable and straightforward and remains by far the authors' preferred technique.     

Immediate plate fixation of highly comminuted femoral diaphyseal fractures in blunt polytrauma patients.

From January 1982 through December 1988, 150 patients with 153 Winquist Class III and IV comminuted diaphyseal femur fractures due to high energy blunt trauma were treated with immediate plate fixation. A total of 260 major general surgical systems were injured in 150 patients. Forty-nine patients did not have adequate preoperative spine radiographs due to positioning or time factors. Nineteen patients had spine fractures; nine were diagnosed post-femoral fixation. The average injury severity score (ISS) was 22.7. Three patients died (2%). Our institution predicted mortality with this ISS for patients without pelvic or femur fractures at 15% (P = .0003). Six patients moved to other states and three were lost to follow up due to noncompliance. One of us reviewed 141 fractures in 138 patients at a minimum of 12 months follow up and completion of treatment. Forty-nine fractures were open; 8 grade I, 25 grade II, 10 grade IIIA, 4 IIIB, 2 IIIC. A total of 153 pelvic or ipsilateral major orthopedic injuries were present in 141 fractures. An additional 188 major associated orthopedic injuries were noted. The average time to union was 17.2 weeks. One plate was applied in 11 degrees of varus. Five plates failed from fatigue and five from repeat traumas. Seven plate failures were rodded and healed within 8 weeks. There was one persistent nonunion. One fracture, open IIIC, became infected after uniting. One patient has 110 degrees of knee motion and 140 fractures have greater than 130 degrees of knee motion. Plate fixation is a safe technique for immediate femoral stabilization in the face of high energy blunt trauma. Failures occur late and are easy to reconstruct. Intramedullary nails are the preferred method of reconstruction. Ultimate knee function is excellent. Infection rates (1/49) in open fractures are acceptably low.     

Intramedullary nailing following external fixation in femoral and tibial shaft fractures

BACKGROUND: Intramedullary nailing is the standard of care for the definitive management of lower extremity long bone fractures. Occasionally, temporary external fixation is used in fractures with severe open wounds or vascular injury before definitive intramedullary nailing. Secondary intramedullary nailing following external fixation is somewhat controversial, especially with respect to the duration of external fixation that is allowable before the risk of infection following later nailing becomes too great. Several recent studies have provided further insight into this issue. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective is to evaluate infection and nonunion rates in patients treated with temporary external fixation and secondary intramedullary nailing for lower extremity long bone fractures. The secondary objective is to evaluate whether the duration of external fixation and the interval time (defined as the time from external fixator removal to intramedullary nailing) influence the risk of infection after intramedullary nailing.     

Systematic review: Functional outcomes and complications of intramedullary nailing versus plate fixation for both-bone diaphyseal forearm fractures in children

Background

Both-bone diaphyseal forearm fractures constitute up to 5.4% of all fractures in children in the United Kingdom. Most can be managed with closed reduction and cast immobilisation. Surgical fixation options include flexible intramedullary nailing and plating. However, the optimal method is controversial. The main purpose of this study was to systematically search for and critically appraise articles comparing functional outcomes, radiographic outcomes and complications of nailing and plating for both-bone diaphyseal forearm fractures in children under 18 years.

Methods

A comprehensive search of Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases using specific search terms and limits was conducted. Articles identified were thoroughly screened using strict eligibility criteria and eight retrospective non-randomised comparative studies were identified and reviewed.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences in functional outcome or time to fracture union between plating and IM nailing. No consistent difference was found in complication rate, fracture angulation, shortening or rotation. Better cosmesis and shorter duration of surgery was noted in the IM nailing group. Post-operative radial bow was significantly abnormal in the IM nailing groups, but did not affect forearm movement.

Conclusion

Based on similar functional and radiographic outcomes, nailing seems to be a safe and effective option when compared to plating for paediatric forearm fractures. However, critical appraisal of the studies in this review identified some methodological deficiencies and further prospective, randomised trials are recommended.     

老年不稳定型转子间骨折的内固定选择及术后并发症原因分析

目的探讨不稳定型老年转子间骨折的内固定方法选择及术后发生并发症的原因。方法对手术治疗的65例不稳定型老年转子间骨折进行回顾分析，结果65例随访12～82个月(平均36．2个月)，优良率81．5％。并发症主要为髋内翻畸形5例、内固定松动断裂3例和术后诱发原有合并症2例。结论对于老年不稳定转子间骨折的治疗，应针对不同的骨折类型，以及患的全身状况，选择最适合的内固定，主要选用股骨近端交锁髓内钉(PFN)和动力性髋部钉(DHS)，外固定架和多枚钉固定不宜采用。     

The clinical outcomes of early internal fixation for undisplaced femoral neck fractures and early full weight-bearing in elderly patients

Objective

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of early internal fixation for undisplaced femoral neck fractures and early full weight-bearing in patients aged 65 years and older.

Patients and methods

The records of consecutive patients who underwent surgery for undisplaced femoral neck fractures between 1999 and 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients underwent the surgery as early as possible, and allowed early full weight-bearing. The interval between initial injury and surgery, time to admission and operation, operation time, decrease in hemoglobin, the postoperative day starting to walk, postoperative walking status, and the incidence of any secondary procedures were evaluated. The average patient age was 77.5 years and the average duration of postoperative follow-up was 46.8 months. The patients were divided to two groups to determine the effect of early operation: the early operation group within 24 h on admission, and the late operation group done 24 h after admission.

Results

Eighty-six percent of surgeries were performed within 48 h of admission. The average operation time was 46 min (range 20–95 min). Transfusions were performed in 6.9 % (4/58) of patients. The mortality rate was 6.9 %, and the rate of complications was 9.3 % (5/54): four cases of avascular necrosis (AVN) and one case of fixation failure. The rate of secondary procedures was 7.4 % (4/54). Seventy-two percent (39/54) of patients recovered their postoperative walking ability to pre-injury levels.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that early internal fixation of undisplaced femoral neck fractures in elderly patients produced satisfactory clinical outcomes.     

老年股骨颈骨折的内固定治疗

目的 探讨内固定治疗老年股骨颈骨折的疗效. 方法回顾研究2000年1月至2007年12月采用内固定治疗且获得随访的139例老年股骨颈骨折患者资料,其中男52例,女87例;年龄65～93岁,平均71.6岁;受伤至入院时间为1 h～30 d,平均56.7 h.骨折按Garden分型:Ⅰ型17例,Ⅱ型43例,Ⅲ型62例,Ⅳ型17例.移位骨折79例,非移位骨折60例.内固定材料:空心钉131例,动力髋螺钉5例,动力髋螺钉加空心钉3例.对患者住院时间、骨折愈合率、术后并发症、股骨头缺血坏死率、内固定失效率及患者功能恢复情况进行总结分析. 结果 139例患者住院时间为5～59 d,平均15.4 d.术后获7～77个月(平均35个月)随访.骨折愈合126例,占90.6%(126/139);愈合时间2～12个月,平均6.2个月.其中22例患者术后出现并发症.骨折不愈合内固定失效13例,占9.4%(13/139);股骨头缺血性坏死9例,占6.5%(9/139).正常行走者81例,占58.3%(81/139),需要助行器械者50例,占36.0%(50/139),不能行走者8例,占5.7%(8/139).结论 老年股骨颈骨折内固定治疗骨折愈合率高,股骨头缺血坏死率较低,内固定治疗老年股骨颈骨折具有积极意义.术前病情评估和合并症的积极治疗非常重要,条件允许时应尽早手术.     

Risk of complications following surgical fixation of femoral diaphyseal fractures in children aged 4 to 12 years: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: There is debate regarding the optimal surgical technique for fixing femoral diaphyseal fractures in children aged 4 to 12 years. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) have issued relevant guidelines, however, there is limited evidence to support these. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the complication rate following flexible intramedullary nailing (FIN), plate fixation and external fixation (EF) for traumatic femoral diaphyseal fractures in children aged 4 to 12.Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL databases for interventional and observational studies. Two independent reviewers screened, assessed quality and extracted data from the identified studies. The primary outcome was the risk of any complication. Secondary outcomes assessed the risk of pre-specified individual complications.Results: Nine randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and 19 observational studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Within the RCTs, five analysed FIN (n = 161), two analysed plates (n = 51) and five analysed EF (n = 168). Within the observational studies, 13 analysed FIN (n = 610), seven analysed plates (n = 214) and six analysed EF (n = 153). The overall risk of complications was lower following plate fixation when compared to FIN fixation (RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.73, p = 0.001) in the observational studies. The overall risk of complications was higher following EF when compared to FIN fixation in both RCTs (RR 1.94, 95% CI 1.25 to 3.01, p = 0.003) and observational studies (RR 1.97, 95% CI 1.50 to 2.58, p<0.001). The overall risk of complications was higher following EF when compared to plate fixation in both RCTs (RR 7.42, 95% CI 1.84 to 29.98, p = 0.005) and observational studies (RR 4.39, 95% CI 2.64 to 7.30, p<0.001).Conclusion: Although NICE and the AAOS recommend FIN for femoral diaphyseal fractures in children aged 4 to 12, this study reports a significantly decreased relative risk of complications when these injuries are managed with plates. The overall quality of evidence is low, highlighting the need for a rigorous prospective multicentre randomised trial at low risk of bias due to randomisation and outcome measurement to identify if any fixation technique is superior.     

Intramedullary rod fixation of femoral shaft fractures: comparison of open and closed insertion techniques

Meta-analysis of published series of intramedullary rod fixation in fractured femurs revealed significantly higher union rates, lower deep infection rates and a better range of knee motion when closed rather than open techniques of insertion were used. A separate retrospective review of 58 femoral fractures at one hospital showed outcomes consistent with those reported in the literature; these results were obtained during a 6-year period when staff were learning closed techniques. Technical failures of the closed technique can be avoided by paying attention to well-established operative details. A system for grading outcomes was developed to compare objectively the results of treatment of fracture patients. The literature and the authors' experience support the adoption of closed techniques for intramedullary rod insertion in femoral shaft fractures.     

锁定加压钢板内固定治疗老年股骨粗隆间骨折

目的探讨锁定加压钢板(locking compression plate,LCP)内固定治疗老年股骨粗隆间骨折的方法和疗效。方法取股骨上段外侧入路,采用切开复位LCP内固定治疗股骨粗隆间骨折30例。结果术后随访6～22个月,平均10.6个月,髋关节功能恢复按Harris评分评定,优15例,良13例,可2例,优良率93.3%。结论LCP内固定治疗老年股骨粗隆间骨折具有操作方便、创伤小、血供破坏少、固定牢靠、并发症少等优点。     

The external fixation in the treatment of humeral diaphyseal fractures: outcomes of 84 cases

We retrospectively review 84 cases of diaphyseal humeral fractures (24 type A, 38 type B, 22 type C of the AO/OTA classification) treated with external fixation (Hoffmann II frame) between 1995 and 2007. Six of these fractures were complicated with radial nerve palsy. Four cases were open fractures. All reductions were achieved closely or through minimal open approaches. All fractures achieved consolidation with an average of 95 days (range 58-140). The six radial nerve palsies had complete spontaneous recovery. According to the Constant score excellent shoulder function was recorded in 54.6% of the cases, good results in 25%, fair in 13.6% and poor in 6.8%. The elbow function according to the Mayo elbow performance index was excellent in 81.8% of cases, good in 13.6%, fair in 2.3%, and poor in 2.3%. We observed superficial pin tract infections in 12% of the patients. There was no cases of deep infection.External fixation of humeral diaphyseal fractures as recorded in this case series, represents a management option, which allows straightforward fracture reduction and adequate stability, with a short operative time, excellent consolidation rate and good functional results with no major complications secondary to this type of surgery.     

Displaced femoral neck fractures in the elderly: outcomes and cost effectiveness

The optimal treatment for displaced femoral neck fractures in elderly patients is a matter of controversy. Four surgical options are well supported in the orthopaedic literature: reduction with internal fixation, unipolar hemiarthroplasty, bipolar hemiarthroplasty, and total hip arthroplasty. Based on a review of the outcomes literature regarding treatment of femoral neck fractures and a cost-effectiveness analysis, an algorithm for surgical treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures in elderly patients is presented. Cost-effectiveness analysis of these four surgical treatment options shows that arthroplasty is the most cost-effective treatment when complication rate, mortality, reoperation rate, and function are evaluated during a 2-year postoperative period. These data were strongly supported by a two-way sensitivity analysis that varied the effectiveness of the interventions and the costs. Literature derived outcome studies show that elderly patients with displaced femoral neck fractures achieve the best functional results with a well healed femoral neck without osteonecrosis after reduction and internal fixation. Achieving this result may be difficult, and it is not as cost effective as arthroplasty.     

Intramedullary fixation of distal fibular fractures: a systematic review of clinical and functional outcomes

Background

Ankle fractures are extremely common and represent nearly one quarter of all lower-limb fractures. In the majority of patients, fractures involve the distal fibula. The current standard in treating unstable fractures is through open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with plates and screws. Due to concerns with potentially devastating wound complications, minimally invasive strategies such as intramedullary fixation have been introduced. This systematic review was performed to evaluate the clinical and functional outcomes of intramedullary fixation of distal fibular fractures using either compression screws or nails.

Materials and methods

Numerous databases (MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar) were searched, 17 studies consisting of 1,008 patients with distal fibular fractures treated with intramedullary fixation were found.

Results

Mean rate of union was 98.5 %, with functional outcome reported as being good or excellent in up to 91.3 % of patients. Regarding unlocked intramedullary nailing, the mean rate of union was 100 %, with up to 92 % of patients reporting good or excellent functional outcomes. Considering locked intramedullary nailing, the mean rate of union was 98 %, with the majority of patients reporting good or excellent functional outcomes. The mean complication rate across studies was 10.3 %, with issues such as implant-related problems requiring metalwork removal, fibular shortening and metalwork failure predominating.

Conclusion

Overall, intramedullary fixation of unstable distal fibular fractures can give excellent results that are comparable with modern plating techniques. However, as yet, there is unconvincing evidence that it is superior to standard techniques with regards to clinical and functional outcome.

Level of evidence

Level IV evidence.