Titanium elastic nails for pediatric femur fractures: lessons from the learning curve

Traditionally, the treatment of choice in managing pediatric femur fractures has been traction and casting. Newer methods have focused on earlier mobility and shorter hospitalization. Use of retrograde titanium elastic nails (TENs) can quicken stabilization while allowing enough motion at the fracture site to generate excellent callus. Since TENs were first introduced in North America, our Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center has prospectively followed all of its TEN patients. In this article, we present lessons from the learning curve of our first 50 cases--focusing on complications and their prevention. In the course of obtaining predominately excellent results, we have learned several important principles regarding TEN preoperative planning, operative technique, and aftercare. The most common problem encountered has been irritation at the nail insertion site (18% of cases). Very proximal fractures may be more challenging; unstable fractures and fractures in larger, older children are best managed with a short period of adjunctive immobilization.     

股骨粗隆下骨折的分型与手术治疗策略

目的讨论股骨粗隆下骨折的诊断分型和手术治疗策略,评价采用加长型伽马钉内固定治疗股骨粗隆下骨折的临床疗效。方法自2006-12—2012-12采用加长型伽马钉内固定治疗股骨粗隆下骨折33例,骨折按AO分型．针对不同骨折类型采用不同方法进行辅助复位,复位满意后按伽马钉操作常规置入髓内钉。术后1年采用创伤髋关节评分系统进行功能评价。结果33例均获得随访时间12～36个月,平均18个月。所有骨折均一期愈合。术后1年按创伤髋关节评分系统进行功能评价：优28例,良3例,可2例,优良率93．9％。结论股骨粗隆下骨折的AO分型简单实用,可有效指导临床治疗。采用多功能骨科牵引床牵引结合股骨粗隆下小切口辅助复位、加长伽马钉内固定治疗股骨粗隆下骨折是一种理想的手术方式。     

股骨近端外侧锁定钢板治疗Russell-TaylorⅡ型股骨转子下骨折

目的探讨股骨近端外侧锁定钢板治疗股骨转子下骨折的治疗效果。方法对28例Russell-TaylorⅡ型股骨转子下骨折患者采用股骨近端外侧锁定钢板固定。结果 28例均获得随访,时间10～24个月。根据髋关节Harris评分:优13例,良10例,中5例。结论股骨近端外侧锁定钢板治疗股骨转子下骨折可以达到可靠的固定效果,骨折愈合较快,短期临床疗效良好。     

微创PHILOS钢板内固定在儿童股骨粗隆下骨折中的应用

目的总结应用微创肱骨近端锁定钢板内固定与非手术治疗儿童股骨粗隆下骨折的结果和并发症。方法 2005年2月至2011年2月,我院采用肱骨近端锁定钢板和非手术治疗儿童股骨粗隆下骨折共24例患者,回顾性比较15例采用肱骨近端锁定钢板和9例采用非手术治疗的患者,从住院时间、完全负重时间和影像愈合时间以及结果评分和术后并发症等方面对两种治疗方法进行比较分析。结果 24例患者均获得随访,平均随访时间31.5个月,两组患者住院时间、完全负重时间和影像学愈合时间比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。肱骨近端锁定钢板组结果评分更高(P0.05)。和非手术组相比,肱骨近端锁定钢板组总并发症发生率较低(P0.05)。结论对于儿童股骨粗隆下骨折,肱骨近端锁定钢板内固定系统与非手术组相比评分更高,总并发症率更低,是治疗儿童股骨粗隆下骨折的良好内固定之一。     

长Gamma 3型髓内钉内固定治疗股骨粗隆下骨折临床疗效分析

目的探讨长Gamma 3型髓内钉内固定治疗股骨粗隆下骨折的疗效。方法对60例股骨粗隆下骨折采用闭合复位或有限切开复位长Gamma 3型髓内钉内固定治疗。结果 60例均获随访10-24个月,平均18个月。骨折愈合时间9-15个月,平均10个月。末次随访时髋关节功能Harris评分：优16例,良35例,可9例,优良率85%。未发生拉力螺钉切割出股骨头、股骨干骨折、髋内翻畸形等严重并发症。结论采用长Gamma 3型髓内钉内固定治疗股骨粗隆下骨折创伤小,疗效好,便于术后早期功能锻炼,并发症发生率低。     

Subtrochanteric fractures. Classification and results of Ender nailing

With use of a simple classification based on anatomical criteria and anatomical function, 27 subtrochanteric fractures of the femur were studied. The series was derived from 156 elderly patients with extracapsular hip fractures, all of whom were operated on by the Ender method. There were no infections. Regarding intra- and postoperative bleeding, early mobilization, length of hospital stay, and final clinical outcome, the results were superior to those obtained with other methods so far presented. Three patients died within 3 months postoperatively. Technical failure occurred at an early stage in 4% and at a later stage in 12.5%. Short oblique fractures did not require any supplementary fixation. Neither comminution nor obliquity prevented early mobilization with full weight-bearing. Tibial traction for a short period in one patient did not prevent expected mechanical failure. The mean time in hospital was 19 days. The functional result was excellent or good in 79% of the patients.     

Intramedullary stabilization of neoplastic destructive disease involving the subtrochanteric region of the femur

Neoplastic destructive disease involving the subtrochanteric region of the femur is a difficult condition to treat. This is a retrospective study of 11 femurs in 10 patients with subtrochanteric destructive lesions or pathologic fractures that were stabilized with the Zickel intramedullary device. The study investigated underlying disease process, ambulatory status, operative parameters, time to death, and associated metastasis. The average survival time of the patients who died was 4.7 months. All of the patients involved in this study could be mobilized, but only 3 out of 10 were ambulatory. This study concludes that the intramedullary fixation of pathologic fractures or lesions of the subtrochanteric region does not necessarily allow ambulation, but does allow mobilization of debilitated patients.     

The operative stabilization of pediatric diaphyseal femur fractures with flexible intramedullary nails

Flexible intramedullary fixation is an excellent technique for the stabilization of pediatric diaphyseal femurfractures when an indication for operative repair exists. They can be applied in an antegrade and a retrograde manner and can be used to stabilize fractures from the subtrochanteric region of the proximal femur to a point approximately 4 cm proximal to the distal femoral growth plate.     

Adult proximal humerus locking plate for the treatment of a pediatric subtrochanteric femoral nonunion: a case report

Nonunions of pediatric subtrochanteric femur fractures are exceedingly rare and have to date not been reported in the literature. We present the case of an 11-year-old boy who developed such a nonunion after open reduction internal fixation using a pediatric locked proximal femur plate. Using an adult proximal humerus locking plate, adequate proximal fixation of the nonunion was obtained. Furthermore, previously placed distal screw holes were safely bridged and the biomechanical environment around the nonunion site improved. Uneventful healing was possible with the use of adjuvant bone grafting. No short- or midterm complications occurred. Although other implants can certainly be adapted to a use different than that of its original design, the present case suggests that adult proximal humerus locking plates may be a safe option for revision surgery of the proximal pediatric femur.     

Bent plate fixation in combined intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures of the femur

Twenty-five combined intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures of the femur (Type IV of Kyle's or Type V of Seinsheimer's classification) were treated with a bent plate and followed up through union (average: 2 years). All of the patients received immediate supplementary bone grafting and additional external supports. All but one of the fractures united between 3 and 6 months. Complications were: delayed union (1 case), which was treated by bone graft, trochanteric bursitis (3), and mild coxa vara (2). Anatomical reduction of scattered fragments and its maintenance through bony union were achieved in all cases. The bent plate provided excellent fixation in combined intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric fracture of the femur, and could be a successful alternative for these combined fractures.     

Indirect reduction and biological internal fixation of comminuted subtrochanteric fractures of the femur

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment of comminuted subtrochanteric fractures may be associated with high incidences of non-union and implant failure. Biological fixation may solve this problem by encouraging rapid callus formation which buttresses the medial cortex. METHODS: In all, 33 patients with comminuted subtrochanteric femur fractures underwent indirect reduction and biological internal fixation. The mean age of the group was 39.12 (19-64) years. RESULTS: Patients were followed up for a mean of 24.6 (12-66) months. Union was achieved within a mean of 15.10 (13-22) weeks, with no cases of delayed union or non-union but with limb-length discrepancy, mean 1.22 (1-2) cm, in nine cases. According to the Traumatic Hip Rating Scale, functional results were excellent in 23 and good in 10 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Indirect reduction and biological internal fixation yield acceptable results in comminuted fractures. These good results can be attributed to early weight-bearing with rapid solid callus formation and early union, which are particularly advantageous in comminuted subtrochanteric fractures, avoiding the implant failure which is not uncommon in these fractures.     

Titanium elastic nails for pediatric femur fractures: a multicenter study of early results with analysis of complications

Titanium elastic nailing is used instead of traction and casting in many European centers, but limited availability has prevented widespread use in North America. Before a planned general release in America, titanium elastic nails (TENs) were trialed at several major pediatric trauma centers. This multicenter study is a critical analysis of early results and complications of the initial experience. Overall, TENs allowed rapid mobilization with few complications. The results were excellent or satisfactory in 57 of the 58 cases. No child lost rotational alignment in the postoperative period. Irritation of the soft tissue near the knee by the nail tip occurred in four patients, leading to a deeper infection in two cases. As indications, implantation technique, and aftercare are refined, TENs may prove to be the ideal implant to stabilize many pediatric femur fractures, avoiding the prolonged immobilization and complications of traction and spica casting.     

Oral bisphosphonates and risk of subtrochanteric or diaphyseal femur fractures in a population‐based cohort

Bisphosphonates are the primary therapy for postmenopausal and glucocorticoid‐induced osteoporosis. Case series suggest a potential link between prolonged use of bisphosphonates and low‐energy fracture of subtrochanteric or diaphyseal femur as a consequence of oversuppression of bone resorption. Using health care utilization data, we conducted a propensity score–matched cohort study to examine the incidence rates (IRs) and risk of subtrochanteric or diaphyseal femur fractures among oral bisphosphonate users compared with raloxifene or calcitonin users. A Cox proportional hazards model evaluated the risk of these fractures associated with duration of osteoporosis treatment. A total of 104 subtrochanteric or diaphyseal femur fractures were observed among 33,815 patients. The estimated IR of subtrochanteric or diaphyseal femur fractures per 1000 person‐years was 1.46 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11–1.88] among the bisphosphonate users and 1.43 (95% CI 1.06–1.89) among raloxifene/calcitonin users. No significant association between bisphosphonate use and subtrochanteric or diaphyseal femur fractures was found [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.03, 95% CI 0.70–1.52] compared with raloxifene/calcitonin. Even with this large study size, we had little precision in estimating the risk of subtrochanteric or diaphyseal femur fractures in patients treated with bisphosphonates for longer than 5 years (HR = 2.02, 95% CI 0.41–10.00). The occurrence of subtrochanteric or diaphyseal femur fracture was rare. There was no evidence of an increased risk of subtrochanteric or diaphyseal femur fractures in bisphosphonate users compared with raloxifene/calcitonin users. However, this study cannot exclude the possibility that long‐term bisphosphonate use may increase the risk of these fractures. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.     

Intramedullary fixation of pathological fractures and lesions of the subtrochanteric region of the femur.

The Zickel intramedullary appliance was used without methylmethacrylate in forty-six patients to stabilize thirty-five fractures and eleven impending fractures associated with osseous lesions in the subtrochanteric region of the femur. Early mobilization or ambulation was possible in nearly all cases. The patients with actual fractures survived an average of 4.7 months, while those with lesions stabilized prophylactically survived an average of 13.8 months postoperatively. Fourteen of the thirty-five patients with fractures showed union after an average of 4.5 months.     

Subtrochanteric femur fracture treated by intramedullary fixation

Purpose: To discuss surgical technique, operative efficacy and clinical outcome of intramedullary fixation in the treatment of subtrochanteric femur fractures. Methods: From February 2011 to February 2013, 76 cases of subtrochanteric femur fractures were treated by intramedullary fixation in our hospital, including 53 males and 23 females, with the age range of 37-72 years (mean 53.5 years). According to Seinsheimer classification, there were 2 cases of type I, 7 type II, 15 type III, 23 type IV and 29 type V. Firstly, all patients underwent closed reduction with the guidance of C-arm fluoroscopy in a traction table. Two cases of type I and 3 cases of type III fractures had ideal closed reduction followed by internal fixation. The others needed additional limited open reduction. Radiographic examination was used to evaluate callus formation and fracture healing in postoperative 1, 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up. Functional recovery was evaluated by Harris Hip Scoring (HHS) system. Results: Patients were followed up for 6e12 months. All fractures were healed except one patient with delayed union. The average bone union time was 4.5 months. According to HHS system, 65 cases were considered as excellent in functional recovery, 8 good, 2 fair and 1 poor. The proportion of the patients with excellent and good recovery was 96.05%. Conclusion: Intramedullary fixation is feasible for the treatment of subtrochanteric femur fracture. The accuracy of intraoperative reduction and surgical skill are important for the clinical outcome and the patients'' prognosis.     

Subtrochanteric and Diaphyseal Femur Fractures in Patients Treated With Alendronate: A Register‐Based National Cohort Study

Alendronate (aln) is a potent bisphosphonate with a prolonged duration of action. Recent reports have found long‐term aln use to be common in patients with subtrochanteric or proximal diaphyseal femur fracture, raising concerns that these fractures could be a consequence of excessive suppression of bone turnover. Two national observational register‐based studies were performed: (1) cross‐sectional study (N = 11,944) comparing age distribution, exposure, and trauma mechanisms between different types of proximal femur fractures and (2) matched cohort study in patients with prior nonhip fractures (N = 5187 + 10,374), testing the hypothesis that the increase in the risk of subsequent atypical femur fractures exceeded the increase in typical hip fractures. We also sought evidence of a dose‐response relationship, where high adherence to or long‐term use of aln led to more atypical femur fractures. We found that 7% of patients with atypical fractures were aln exposed, and the same was found for typical hip fractures. In the cohort study, the HR for subtrochanteric/diaphyseal fracture with aln was 1.46 (0.91–2.35, p = 0·12) compared with 1.45 (1.21–1.74, p < 0·001) for hip fracture after adjustment for comorbidity and co‐medications. The risk was reduced by high adherence, and the ratio between hip and subtrochanteric/diaphyseal femur fractures was identical in aln‐treated patients and the control cohort even in the limited number of patients who received long‐term treatment. Subtrochanteric/diaphyseal femur fractures share the epidemiology and treatment response of classical hip fractures and are best classified as osteoporotic fractures.     

A rare case of a bisphosphonate-induced peri-prosthetic femoral fracture

An 81-year-old woman presented with a fracture in the left femur. She had well-fixed bilateral hip replacements and had received long-term bisphosphonate treatment. Prolonged bisphosphonate use has been recently linked with atypical subtrochanteric and diaphyseal femoral fractures. While the current definition of an atypical fracture of the femur excludes peri-prosthetic fractures, this case suggests that they do occur and should be considered in patients with severe osteopenia. Union of the fracture followed cessation of bisphosphonates and treatment with teriparatide. Thus, this case calls into question whether prophylactic intramedullary nailing is sufficient alone to treat early or completed atypical femoral fractures.     

Open reduction and intramedullary stabilisation of subtrochanteric femur fractures: A retrospective study of 56 cases

Subtrochanteric femur fractures commonly present with predictable displacement because of the deforming muscle forces acting upon the proximal femur. For this reason, successful closed reduction and femoral nailing can be a technically demanding procedure. Open reduction prior to nail placement has been advocated to improve and maintain anatomic fracture alignment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of patients with closed subtrochanteric femur fractures treated with open reduction and a reamed antegrade statically locked intramedullary nail. An initial query of our database identified 154 patients who had sustained a subtrochanteric femur fracture over the defined study period. Ninety-six patients had adequate radiographic and clinical follow-up. Fifty-six (58%) patients were treated with open reduction and nail placement. There were no wound complications or infections and all patients went on to successful osseous union. There was no loss of reduction and a final coronal and sagittal plane deformity of <5 degrees in 55 of 56 (98%) patients. Open reduction of closed subtrochanteric femur fractures followed by intramedullary nailing leads to high union rates with rare complications.     

Gamma钉治疗股骨转子间及转子下骨折

目的：探讨Gamma钉治疗股骨转子间及转子下骨折的效果。方法：用Gamma钉固定治疗46例股骨转子间及转子下骨折。结果：随访6－22个月（平均13个月）,所有病例均获骨性愈合,平均愈合时间为股骨转子间骨折2个月、股骨转子下骨折5个月。患肢关节功能良好,无髋内翻畸形。结论：Gamma钉治疗股骨转子间及转子下骨折临床效果满意。