Paediatric spinal trauma and associated injuries

Paediatric spinal injuries, although rare (1-2% of all paediatric fractures) are associated with the highest mortality rate of all orthopaedic injuries in children. The low incidence is due, not only to the plasticity of the paediatric spine, but also the difficulty of diagnosis and the usually severe if not fatal associated injuries. A 10-year (1995-2004) retrospective study was undertaken of all patients treated for a spinal injury at our institute, which functions as both an acute care centre and a tertiary referral centre for seriously injured children. The study was performed in order to highlight the unique features of spinal injuries in children, and to assess the incidence and pattern of associated injuries. A total of 40 patients had a documented diagnosis of spinal injury. The charts and radiographs of all patients were retrieved and reviewed. The median age was 10 years (range 2-15) and 25 were male. The causative factors were motor vehicle accidents in 16, falls in 14, sport injuries in 7 and assaults in 3. Over 65% of the children sustained one or more associated injuries, the mean injury severity score was 18.95. There were two deaths, both in patients with severe multiple trauma and associated spinal fracture. Treatment included closed reduction in two patients and posterior open reduction and stabilisation in two patients, with one of these also requiring decompression. Spinal injuries in children differ from adults due primarily to the biomechanical and anatomical features of the developing musculoskeletal system. When a spinal injury is identified on initial radiographic or clinical evaluation of an injured child, one should have a high index of suspicion that concurrent, potentially life-threatening injuries may be present.     

Outcomes following pelvic ring fractures in the paediatric population: A systematic review

BackgroundPelvic fractures represent a small proportion of all paediatric fractures, but are likely to be associated with a high-energy mechanism, multiple injuries, and significant morbidity and mortality. Operative fixation of unstable pelvic fractures is accepted. However, there remains a paucity of data on functional outcomes and complications following pelvic fractures in the skeletally immature.MethodsA PRISMA-compliant systematic review was performed, searching Medline, Embase, and Cochrane central review. The primary outcome was functional outcome after pelvic fractures in the paediatric population following operative or non-operative treatment. Secondary outcomes included mechanism of injury, associated injuries, mortality rate, and method of surgical fixation if required. Where possible, weighted totals of the data set were performed.ResultsIn total, 23 studies were included in this review. Only eight studies reported functional outcomes, with limb length discrepancy and limp being the most common complication. Only 8.8% of all pelvic fractures underwent surgical fixation. Motor vehicle collision was the most common cause of injury, and extremity fracture was the most common associated injury.ConclusionPaediatric pelvic fractures are caused by high-energy mechanisms and have significant morbidity and mortality. There remains a paucity of information on functional outcomes after these injuries.     

Outcomes following pelvic ring fractures in the paediatric population: A systematic review

BackgroundPelvic fractures represent a small proportion of all paediatric fractures, but are likely to be associated with a high-energy mechanism, multiple injuries, and significant morbidity and mortality. Operative fixation of unstable pelvic fractures is accepted. However, there remains a paucity of data on functional outcomes and complications following pelvic fractures in the skeletally immature.MethodsA PRISMA-compliant systematic review was performed, searching Medline, Embase, and Cochrane central review. The primary outcome was functional outcome after pelvic fractures in the paediatric population following operative or non-operative treatment. Secondary outcomes included mechanism of injury, associated injuries, mortality rate, and method of surgical fixation if required. Where possible, weighted totals of the data set were performed.ResultsIn total, 23 studies were included in this review. Only eight studies reported functional outcomes, with limb length discrepancy and limp being the most common complication. Only 8.8% of all pelvic fractures underwent surgical fixation. Motor vehicle collision was the most common cause of injury, and extremity fracture was the most common associated injury.ConclusionPaediatric pelvic fractures are caused by high-energy mechanisms and have significant morbidity and mortality. There remains a paucity of information on functional outcomes after these injuries.     

儿童陈旧性Tile C型骨盆环损伤的手术治疗

目的探讨儿童陈旧性Tile C型骨盆环损伤的治疗方法。方法对6例儿童陈旧性Tile C型骨盆环损伤采用扩大的髂腹股沟入路进行骨盆前后环损伤部松解或截骨，术后股骨髁上持续大重量牵引6周治疗。结果骨盆复位参照Mears等评定标准，复位满意5例，复位不满意1例。随访时间6个月～3年，平均1年10个月。5例行走正常，无跛行及疼痛；1例轻度跛行，偶感腰臀痛，但较术前畸形明显好转。无手术并发症。结论采用骨盆前、后环损伤部松解或截骨及术后股骨髁上持续大重量牵引治疗儿童陈旧性Tile C骨盆环损伤是一种安全、可行的治疗方法。     

Outcomes of pelvic ring injuries

Routine internal fixation of selected pelvic ring injuries has been performed for more than 10 years. A literaturereview of long-term outcome studies is presented. Since 1948, investigators have presented the results of their protocols for treatment of pelvic ring injuries. Indications for conservative versus operative treatment have not been standardized, and different tools for measuring outcomes have been used. Historical differences comparing nonoperative treatment, open reduction internal fixation, and the intermittent use of external fixators are not sufficient to show the efficacy of any treatment. All classes of pelvic fractures, including undisplaced low-energy injuries have the potential for long-term disability. Treatment of the pelvic ring injury might also be overwhelmed by the disability caused by associated injuries. In the absence of significant historical differences, a randomized prospective study comparing nonoperative treatment, open reduction and internal fixation, and the intermittent use of internal fixation needs to be organized.     

骨盆后环损伤的内固定治疗

目的 探讨手术内固定治疗骨盆后环损伤的临床疗效.方法 对22例骨盆后环损伤患者分别采用微创技术椎弓根螺钉固定、骶髂关节空心螺钉固定及骨盆重建带后方髂髂固定3种方式治疗.结果 22例均随访,时间4~22个月.无切口感染、血管神经损伤及内固定松动或断裂,无骨折不愈合.结论 微创椎弓根螺钉固定、骶髂关节空心螺钉固定及骨盆重建带后方髂髂固定3种方式均为治疗骨盆后环损伤的有效方法,根据骨折类型及患者的情况选择不同的内固定方式,可获满意疗效.     

Long-term outcome in patients with combined spinal and pelvic fractures

The outcome of 30 patients with combined spinal and pelvic fractures (C group) was retrospectively investigated and compared with matched group of similar number of isolated spinal fractures (S group) and isolated pelvic fractures (P Group), admitted to our institution between Jan 1998 and May 2002, following a high-energy trauma. After a mean follow-up of 57 months their outcomes were studied using EuroQol questionnaire and return to work status. The EQ-5D scores for patients in the S group were 0.71 (SD 0.29) compared to 0.60 (SD 0.14) for patients in the P group and 0.63 (SD 0.23) for patients in the C group. The EQ-VAS scores were similarly favourable towards patients in the S group. Seventy percent of patients in the S group returned to their previous level of employment after a mean duration of 5.3 months compared to 55% in the P group and 57% in the C group after a mean duration of 9.4 months and 12.8 months, respectively. Patients with isolated spinal fractures had an overall satisfactory outcome compared with patients in the other 2 groups. However, no difference was noted while analysing the outcomes in the later 2 groups (p<0.05), suggesting that the pelvic fracture contributes to the poor outcome, and the presence of a spinal fracture does not influence the long-term outcome. However, problems related to associated injuries and motor neurological deficits have profound confounding effect on the outcome in all 3 groups.     

Posterior screw fixation in rotationally unstable pelvic ring injuries

Objective

Although the stability of the pelvic ring primarily depends on the integrity of the posterior sacroiliac arch, lateral compression fractures with rotational instability are commonly treated by anterior fixation alone. The objective of the present study was to assess the outcome of patients with these fractures treated by posterior iliosacral screw fixation alone.

Methods

Patients with rotationally unstable lateral compression fractures of the pelvic ring (Young and Burgess LC I and LC II or AO/Tile B2) treated by percutaneous iliosacral fixation alone were included. Postoperative complications, need for secondary surgery, malunion, secondary fracture displacement and the time to full-weight bearing were documented.

Results

Twenty-five patients (13 female, 26 male; age: 56 ± 20 years) were treated by percutaneous screw fixation (14 bilaterally, 11 unilaterally). Mean follow-up was 6 ± 4 months, mean time to full weight bearing 9 ± 3 weeks. Revision surgery was necessary in two patients (8%) due to nerve irritation; an additional anterior stabilisation was needed in two other patients (8%) due to secondary dislocation. Wound infection or motor weakness were not encountered, non-union of the posterior arch did not occur. Non-union of the pubic rami, however, occurred in two patients. The presence of malunion of the pubic rami did not affect the time to full weight bearing.

Conclusions

Percutanous iliosacral screw fixation alone is a sufficient technique for the stabilisation of rotationally unstable pelvic fractures with low rates of complications or non-unions. It allows for a minimally invasive treatment thus being a useful option in patients who do not qualify for open anterior fixation.     

Paediatric injuries due to home treadmill use: an emerging problem

INTRODUCTION

The use of home exercise equipment is increasing and treadmills are becoming more popular. This has brought with it an emerging but preventable problem. We present our experience, highlight the importance and promote public awareness of this type of injury. To our knowledge this has not been reported previously in the UK.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted of the medical records at two regional burn units of children who sustained treadmill-related injuries between July 2003 and July 2009. Data on patient demographics, mechanism of injury, management, surgical intervention and outcome were recorded.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine children (15 boys, 14 girls) sustained treadmill-related injuries. The mean age was 3.8 years (range: 1–13 years). All injuries occurred at home and the majority of children trapped their hand under the running belt when an adult was using the machine. Most of the injuries were to the upper limb (97%) with less than 1% of the total body surface area burnt. More than two-thirds of patients had deep burns and 17 (58%) required surgical intervention. Five patients developed hypertrophic scars. All patients achieved a good functional outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Treadmills can pose a significant danger to children. These injuries are preventable. Regulatory authorities, manufacturers and parents should take steps to prevent this emerging health problem.     

Immediate management of pelvic fractures

Most patients who sustain pelvic fractures survive. It can be difficult to identify patients at risk for death. Oncepatients at risk are identified, it is difficult to decide on a best course of treatment to prevent mortality. The best markers for death after pelvic fracture are hemodynamic shock; age greater than 55 to 60 years, and the presence of a grossly unstable fracture. Emergency treatments to decrease hemorrhage are limited to: provisional stabilization of the pelvic fracture using a sheet, pelvic binder, pelvic clamp, or external fixator, angiography embolization of bleeding vessels; and direct surgical approach with packing of the pelvis. Immediate application of a sheet or pelvic binder in higli-risk patients seems reasonable, since these maneuvers carry little risk. But, there are no studies to show that these methods decrease mortality. For hypotensive patients with stable fracture patterns, exploratory laparotomy before angiography may decrease mortality, since the source of bleeding in these patients is commonly intraabdominal. For patients with unstable fracture patterns, angiography and embolization before laparotomy may decrease mortality, since the source of hemorrhage for these patients is often pelvic vascular injury. However, the best sequence of treatments is unknown because of the lack of controlled studies in this clinical area.     

Outcome analysis of pelvic ring fractures

Background:

The behavior of pelvic ring fractures in the long run has been very sparsely studied. The purpose of this study is to assess the long-term outcome of pelvic ring fractures.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 24 patients with pelvic ring fractures, not involving the acetabulum, were followed up for an average duration of 33 months (range 24–49 months). The clinicoradiological assessment was done using the pelvic scoring system adapted from Cole et al. Parameters assessed included sacroiliac (SI) joint involvement and, among SI joint injuries, the presence of a fracture disruption and the degree of displacement.

Results:

Pain and limp were present in 13 patients (54.2%) each and residual working disability in 9 patients (37.5%). The overall Cole''s pelvic score was 31.3 ± 7.02 of a total score of 40. The average pelvic score in patients with SI disruption was 29.2 ± 6.75; much lower than patients without SI disruption with an average score of 34.9 ± 6.25 reaching statistical significance. The pelvic score among patients with a displacement ≤10 mm was 33.0 ± 3.92 and with a displacement >10 mm 25.88 ± 7.14. The difference was statistically significant.

Conclusions:

Pelvic ring injuries can lead to long term problems significantly. The involvement of the SI joint affects the long-term outcome adversely, more so if the residual displacement is >10 mm. The pelvic scoring system is comprehensive and depicts subtle differences in the outcome, which the individual parameters of the assessment fail to show.     

Paediatric pelvic fractures: 10 years experience in a trauma centre

Fractures of the skeletally immature pelvis are relatively rare. We performed a retrospective analysis of 10 years experience of paediatric pelvic fractures in patients admitted a Level 1 Trauma Centre in London.All patients evacuated to the Royal London Hospital by the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) were entered on a comprehensive trauma database. This contains data about the time, date and mechanism of injury; nature of the injuries sustained; Injury Severity Score (ISS), Revised Trauma Score (RTS) and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS).Patients were studied to obtain the following information in addition to that available from the trauma database: management of the pelvic fracture, length of stay in the intensive care unit and on the ward, and clinical outcome.Pelvic fractures were classified as open type or closed type and stable or unstable type in the database. 44 patients with pelvic fracture were admitted via HEMS in 10 years and seven patients died in that group. The mean age was 11.4 (range 6-16) and 28 male and 16 female patients. Commonest mechanism of injury was pedestrian hit by the car and predominantly stable type of injury was found in skeletally immature pelvis.Commonest associated injury was long bone fracture followed by head injury.ISS, GCS and RTS were significantly (p < 0.05) altered in the non-survivors compared to the surviving group. All patients save one were treated conservatively allowing gradual mobilisation.In conclusion, pelvic fractures in children may themselves have a good long term outcome with conservative management, but they are an indicator of serious other bodily injuries which carry a high mortality.     

The incidence and causes of erectile dysfunction after pelvic fractures associated with posterior urethral disruption

PURPOSE: Erectile dysfunction is a common sequel of pelvic fractures, particularly those associated with posterior urethral injury when it can be neurogenic or arteriogenic due to damage to the cavernous nerves or branches of the pudendal arteries. We studied erectile function of patients with posterior urethral injuries due to pelvic fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients referred for posterior urethral reconstruction and strictures due to pelvic fractures were evaluated before reconstruction. All patients underwent nocturnal penile tumescence testing, and if those results were abnormal, penile duplex ultrasound with intracavernous injection was performed. Patients with normal vascular function on duplex ultrasound were diagnosed with neurogenic erectile dysfunction. Those patients with abnormal arterial function on duplex ultrasound underwent arteriography to further define the extent and location of arterial damage. RESULTS: The study included 25 consecutive patients with posterior urethral strictures and a mean age of 28.6 years. Of the patients 18 (72%) had erectile dysfunction as demonstrated by nocturnal penile tumescence and all underwent penile duplex ultrasound. Ultrasound confirmed normal vascular response in 13 of the 18 patients and they were diagnosed with probable neurogenic erectile dysfunction. The remaining 5 patients (28%) with erectile dysfunction had an abnormal arterial response, and significant arterial pathology was confirmed by arteriography. CONCLUSIONS: Erectile dysfunction is common in patients with pelvic fractures associated with urethral injury. We believe that erectile function should be assessed and documented in such patients before attempting urethroplasty. In the majority of these patients erectile dysfunction is caused by disruption of the cavernous nerves with sparing of arterial inflow.     

转流性结肠造瘘在骨盆骨折合并会阴部损伤中的应用

 目的 总结转流性结肠造瘘在骨盆骨折合并会阴部损伤中的应用效果。方法 2005年 4 月至 2011年 4月, 治疗 27例骨盆骨折合并会阴部损伤患者, 男 23例, 女 4例;年龄 16~62岁, 平均 32.9岁;交通伤 19例, 高处坠落伤 4例, 挤压伤 2例, 重物砸伤 2例。骨盆骨折按 Tile分型: A型 4例, B 型 10例, C型 13例。采用骨盆外固定支架固定, 稳定血流动力学, 选择性应用转流性结肠造瘘及骨折复 位固定术进行治疗。应用 Fisher精确概率法对早期(伤后48h内)和非早期(损伤超过 48h或未造瘘) 行转流性结肠造瘘术患者的感染率进行比较。结果 24例患者存活, 3例死亡, 死亡率为 11%。存活的 24例患者均获得随访, 随访时间 4~42个月, 平均 10.9个月。 13例早期行结肠造瘘患者均未发生感染。 11例非早期行结肠造瘘患者中, 4例发生感染。早期行转流性结肠造瘘术患者的感染率显著低于非早 期患者, 两者比较差异有统计学意义。结论 骨盆骨折合并会阴部损伤早期急救重点为稳定血流动力学、选择性应用转流性结肠造瘘及早期骨盆固定。对于累及直肠、肛管的会阴部损伤或虽不累及直肠、 肛管但软组织损伤广泛的会阴部损伤均应行转流性结肠造瘘术。伤后 48h内行转流性结肠造瘘, 不但可有效降低感染率, 而且对保持患者良好营养状态、节省医疗开支及降低医护人员工作量有重要意义。     

Paediatric pelvic fractures: A review of 2 cohorts over 22 years

AimsThe aim of this retrospective review was to identify all children that presented to our institution with a pelvic or acetabular fracture and to compare these children to a previous cohort of paediatric pelvic fractures that we have reported.Patients53 children under the age of 16 were identified over a ten year period.MethodsWe reviewed our trauma database, hospital records and radiological imaging to determine the age, gender, fracture pattern, associated injuries and management of the pelvic fracture.ResultsThere were 32 boys and 21 girls. Mean age of the boys was 8.8 years and the girls 10.7 years. In seven children the pelvic fracture was an isolated injury and in the remaining 46 children, there were 113 additional injuries. 56% of the additional injuries was either a fracture/dislocation (37%) or a head injury (19%). Compared to our first cohort, we had a larger number of children in the second cohort. Age, sex distribution, mechanism of injury was similar in the two groups. In this current cohort, use of CT scan imaging was more frequent, there were more unstable pelvic fracture patterns identified, ISS scores were higher and mortality was lower.ConclusionWe have seen more children with more severe injuries, higher ISS scores but a lower mortality rate.     

螺旋CT三维重建在骨盆后环损伤的应用

目的探讨螺旋CT三维重建对骨盆后环骨折的诊断及治疗上的临床意义。方法2002年3月～2003年8月,对骨盆骨折且有完整X线平片和CT三维重建资料的19例患者进行回顾性分析,并对两种检查方法的结果进行比较。结果19例患者中,9例X线片漏诊或可疑,经三维CT检查后修正诊断。对于骶髂关节部分及前后分离、骶髂关节内碎骨、骶髂关节髂骨唇或骶骨唇骨折、骶骨骨折及复杂粉碎性的骨盆后环骨折,三维CT较X线片有明显的优势,能多层次清晰显示骨盆后环的骨折形态。结论三维CT检查对骨盆后环骨折的诊断、分类及指导治疗具有重要的意义和作用。     

Vascular injuries associated with pelvic fractures

Pelvic fractures, which are most often caused by blunt abdominal trauma in our motor vehicle-oriented society, continue to be associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Hemorrhage is the cause of death in nearly 60 per cent of those patients who die of pelvic fractures. With increasing awareness of the problem and improved methods of management, the mortality rate of acute hemorrhage secondary to pelvic fracture should decrease. Four cases of vascular injuries associated with severe pelvic fractures are discussed. One patient presented with bleeding from a false aneurysm of the superior gluteal artery 3 months after his pelvic fracture. This complication was successfully managed by selective arteriographic embolization. The other three patients required early angiography with embolization of hypogastric vessels to control acute hemorrhage after pelvic fracture. Pelvic arteriography with selective embolization of injured vessels is recommended in the management of hemorrhage secondary to severe pelvic fractures. Application of the Military Antishock Trousers (MAST) suit may also be a useful maneuver. These principles of management and a pertinent review of the literature are presented.     

Supplemental S1 fixation for type C pelvic ring injuries: biomechanical study of a long iliosacral versus a transsacral screw

Background

A single iliosacral screw placed into the S1 vertebral body has been shown to be clinically unreliable for certain type C pelvic ring injuries. Insertion of a second supplemental iliosacral screw into the S1 or S2 vertebral body has been widely used. However, clinical fixation failures have been reported using this technique, and a supplemental long iliosacral or transsacral screw has been used. The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical effect of a supplemental S1 long iliosacral screw versus a transsacral screw in an unstable type C vertically oriented sacral fracture model.

Materials and methods

A type C pelvic ring injury was created in ten osteopenic/osteoporotic cadaver pelves by performing vertical osteotomies through zone 2 of the sacrum and the ipsilateral pubic rami. The sacrum was reduced maintaining a 2-mm fracture gap to simulate a closed-reduction model. All specimens were fixed using one 7.0-mm iliosacral screw into the S1 body. A supplemental long iliosacral screw was placed into the S1 body in five specimens. A supplemental transsacral S1 screw was placed in the other five. Each pelvis underwent 100,000 cycles at 250 N, followed by loading to failure. Vertical displacements at 25,000, 50,000, 75,000, and 100,000 cycles and failure force were recorded.

Results

Vertical displacement increased significantly (p < 0.05) within each group with each increase in the number of cycles. However, there was no statistically significant difference between groups in displacement or load to failure.

Conclusions

Although intuitively a transsacral screw may seem to be better than a long iliosacral screw in conveying additional stability to an unstable sacral fracture fixation construct, we were not able to identify any biomechanical advantage of one method over the other.

Level of evidence

Does not apply—biomechanical study.     

Demographics,mechanism of injury,and associated injuries of 25,615 patients with talus fractures in the National Trauma Data Bank

BackgroundExtensive research has been conducted concerning the epidemiology of fractures of the calcaneus and ankle. However, less work has characterized the population sustaining talus fractures, necessitating the analysis of a large, national sample to assess the presentation of this important injury.MethodsThe current study included adult patients from the 2011 through 2015 National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) who had talus fractures. Modified Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), mechanism of injury (MOI), Injury Severity Score (ISS), and associated injuries were evaluated.ResultsOut of 25,615 talus fracture patients, 15,607 (61%) were males. The age distribution showed a general decline in frequency as age increased after a peak incidence at 21 years of age. As expected, CCI increased as age increased. The mechanism of injury analysis showed a decline in motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) and an increase in falls as age increased. ISS was generally higher for MVAs compared to falls and other injuries.Overall, 89% of patients with a talus fracture had an associated injury. Among associated bony injuries, non-talus lower extremity fractures were common, with ankle fractures (noted in 42.7%) and calcaneus fractures (noted in 27.8%) being the most notable. The most common associated internal organ injuries were lung (noted in 19.0%) and intracranial injuries (noted in 14.9%).ConclusionThis large cohort of patients with talus fractures defined the demographics of those who sustain this injury and demonstrated ankle and calcaneus fractures to be the most commonly associated injuries. Other associated orthopaedic and non-orthopaedic injuries were also defined. In fact, the incidence of associated lumbar spine fracture was similar to that seen for calcaneus fractures (14%) and nearly 1 in 5 patients had a thoracic organ injury. Clinicians need to maintain a high suspicion for such associated injuries for those who present with talus fractures.Level of EvidenceLevel II, retrospective study