Cellular and Molecular Foundation for Fracture Healing in Children

Abstract Dealing with pediatric fracture patients requires a funded knowledge of complications and remodeling capability of the youth skeleton to find the accurate therapy decision and to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures. Due to the different mechanical environment, fractures in children occur at specific fracture-vulnerable areas. One of those is the growth plate, which on one hand gives rise to the unique ability of correcting angular deformities by specifically increasing the growth rate in definite regions, and on the other hand leads to complications like growth arrest or angular deformity. The pediatric diaphysis presents the exclusive greenstick fracture, only seen in the growing skeleton, which occurs because of the different composition of the pediatric bone. To understand these very specific features of the youth skeleton, the molecular and cellular basis should be taken into consideration. Therefore, this review will present the common characteristics of skeletal development and fracture healing. An insight into the mechanotransduction as part of the remodeling and self-correcting ability of pediatric bone is given to span the bridge between clinical treatment options and scientific background.     

Slipped upper femoral epiphysis with hemophilia A

A 13-year-old boy who had hemophilia A was reported with pain in the left thigh and hip on walking. He had no history of trauma. Severe hemophilia A is diagnosed with a Factor VIII level of <1 iu/dl. The presumptive diagnosis was that of a spontaneous bleed into the hip joint. Factor VIII mutational analysis revealed a C to G substitution at nucleotide 6683 which results in a cystine change at codon 2194. However, the symptoms persisted and an X-ray demonstrated the presence of an acute on chronic slip of the upper femoral epiphysis. The patient was transferred to the center treating his hemophilia where the hip was pinned in situ under cover with Factor VIII. This case demonstrates the need to be aware of a possible traumatic diagnosis of hip pain in a hemophiliac child with a longstanding history of spontaneous bleeding into joints.     

Arthroscopic Double-Row Suture Anchor Fixation of Minimally Displaced Greater Tuberosity Fractures

In cases of displaced greater tuberosity fractures, treatments by arthroscopic-assisted reduction and percutaneous screw fixation have been reported. However, in cases in which there is a comminuted fracture or a minimally displaced fracture combined with concomitant lesions such as rotator cuff tear or labral pathology, it is difficult to reduce the fracture and to treat other pathologies by use of a percutaneous screw. Recently, many surgeons have used the double-row repair method in rotator cuff repair, which provides a tendon-bone interface better suited for biologic healing and restoring normal anatomy. In accordance with this method, we used the arthroscopic technique of double-row suture anchor fixation for a minimally displaced greater tuberosity fracture without additional incision. Initially, debridement was performed on the fracture surface by use of a shaver, and the medial-row anchor was inserted through the anterior portal or the intact cuff. Two lateral-row anchors were inserted just anterior and posterior to the lower margin of the fractured fragment under C-arm guidance. The medial-row sutures and lateral-row sutures were then placed. Arthroscopic double-row suture anchor fixation of a displaced greater tuberosity fracture restores the original footprint of the rotator cuff and normal tendon-bone interface of the displaced greater tuberosity fracture.     

人工髋关节置换并发假体周围骨折的临床分析

[目的]分析人工髋关节置换术中、术后发生假体周围骨折的原因，探讨其预防措施和治疗方法。[方法]自1995年7月-2006年8月，共640例人工髋关节置换术患者，其中18例发生假体周围骨折，术中骨折11例（股骨距骨折7例，假体柄下端骨折4例），术后骨折7例（假体柄下端、远端骨折），男12例，女6例，年龄51-79岁，平均68岁，按照髋关节假体置换术后骨折的AAOS分型：I型1例，Ⅱ型4例，Ⅲ型4例，IVa型4例，IVb型2例，V型1例，Ⅵ型2例，其中术中假体周围骨折11例有10例予立即内固定，1例（Ⅱ型）股骨距劈裂骨折无明显移位未做内固定，仅延迟下地负重时间；术后假体周围骨折7例有4例在两周内行手术内固定，2例合并假体松动而采用全髋关节翻修术，1例（Ⅵ型）假体远端骨折因身体原因无法手术而采取保守治疗予以骨牵引4周后改石膏外固定。[结果]术后平均随访时间15．2个月（6-38个月），15例患者骨折均达到骨性愈合，2例发生骨折延迟愈合，保守治疗的1例患者术后6个月拍x线片示骨折畸形愈合，术后8个月因内科疾病死亡。Harris评分平均80分（67-92分）。[结论]术中暴力、股骨髓腔发育异常、假体型号过大、骨质疏松是术中假体周围骨折发生的主要原因，骨溶解、假体松动、骨质疏松加外伤是术后发生假体周围骨折的主要原因，根据不同分型采用不同的治疗方法以促进骨折愈合，稳定假体，减少卧床时间和并发症（尤其对高龄患者更为重要），尽早恢复功能。     

小切口动力髋螺钉治疗高龄股骨转子间骨折

[目的]探讨应用小切口动力髋螺钉(DHS)微创固定治疗高龄股骨转子间骨折的方法及临床效果.[方法]回顾性分析2001年8月～2006年1月应用闭合复位、小切口DHS固定治疗37例高龄股骨转子间骨折患者,其中男15例,女22例;年龄72～92岁,平均81.5岁.在C型臂X线机监视下,先将1～2枚克氏针经皮通过大转子打入股骨头上部.另将1枚导针按135°颈干角打入股骨头中央,在导针下做一长约4～5.5 cm纵切口,经导针拧入粗拉力螺纹钉.拔出导针将带套管接骨板沿肌层下插入,并将接骨板的套管套入螺纹钉的尾端.[结果]手术时间40～75 min,平均60 min.术中平均出血55 ml.术后与术前血红蛋白值比较无明显变化.37例均获11～18个月随访,骨折愈合时间10～15周.轻度髋内翻2例,无切口感染、内固定失效及旋转畸形.按董纪元疗效评定标准,优良率94.6%.[结论]小切口DHS微创技术具有手术时间短、出血少、创伤小、并发症少、康复快的特点,是治疗高龄股骨转子间骨折较理想的方法.     

计算机导航在骨科手术中的应用

目的将计算机导航技术应用于骨科手术,并对其进行初步分析。方法2004年2～12月,计算机导航系统辅助下共行134枚椎弓根螺钉固定,51枚股骨颈骨折空心钉内固定,58枚交锁髓内钉远端交锁螺钉固定。结果所有病例全部在导航下完成手术,术中明显减少C型臂X线机透视次数,未发生血管和神经损伤并发症。结论计算机导航手术安全有效,更有利于微创手术的开展。     

活体顺序性荧光标记技术在实验性骨折愈合研究中的应用

目的介绍实验性骨折愈合研究中活体顺序性荧光标记的技术与方法。方法以成年兔胫骨骨折外固定为模型，术后分别以Tetracydin(TC，黄色，25mg／kg)、Calcein(CG，绿色，10mg／kg)、Xylenal(XO，桔色，90mg／kg)、Alizarin—complen(AE，红色，30mg／kg)四种荧光染料于兔颈部皮下定期注射；并于术后第3、6、12及24周活杀动物，解剖出胫骨，梯度乙醇脱水、脱脂，甲基丙烯酸甲脂包埋，切片厚度40～100μm，打磨，荧光显微镜下观察、摄像；同时通过组织学观察、X线摄片了解骨愈合速度与质量。结果顺序性荧光标记显示，加压组中钙化的内、外骨痴均于术后第2周出现于截骨处的远、近断端，但尚未形成骨性连接。亦无骨皮质的改建。外骨痴增生停止于术后12周，且骨皮质的改建至12周已渐减少．至术后24周已基本完成；对照组：内骨痴于术后第3周出现于截骨处远、近断端，无钙化的外骨痴形成，亦无骨皮质的改建；外骨痂增生停止于术后12周，骨皮质改建至24周尚未完成，其结果与组织学观察、X线摄片具有一致性。结论活体顺序性荧光标记技术可以从细胞水平判断新骨的开始时间、骨生长速度及生长方向，并能节约实验动物数量，是实验性骨折愈合研究中较为理想的研究手段。     

肱骨髁间骨折的手术治疗及疗效评价

目的 探讨肱骨髁间骨折的手术方式并评价疗效。方法 1998年1月～2004年12月共手术治疗肱骨髁间骨折28例，进行随访分析。结果 28例中26例获随访，时间6个月～4年7个月，其中22例获2年以上随访。疗效评价参照casse‰。评分系统，优良率为65％。结论 骨折类型及手术方式直接影响预后。关节良好的复位和牢固的固定，以及术后早期积极的功能锻炼是得到良好疗效的保证。     

Surgical treatment of complex tibial plateau fractures by closed reduction and external fixation. A review of 32 consecutive cases operated

Abstract Complex tibial plateau fractures are a challenge in trauma surgery. In these fractures it is necessary to anatomically reduce the articular part of the fracture and to obtain stable fixation. The aim of this study is to review the results of a surgical technique consisting of fluoroscopic closed reduction and combined percutaneous internal and external fixation. Thirty-two complex tibial plateau fractures in 32 patients were included. Twenty-one fractures were closed, 4 were open Gustilo grade I, 3 were Gustilo grade II and 4 were Gustilo grade III. The mean age was 37.8 years (range 21–64 years). Surgery was performed with patients in transcalcaneal traction and the knee flexed at 30° was used. Through a 1-cm incision centred over the tibial metaphysis of the tibia, a 3.2-mm hole was drilled in the antero-medial tibial aspect. The tibial plateau fracture fragments were elevated using either 1 or 2 curved Kirschner wires under fluoroscopy to control the reduction. Then the fragments were fixed with 2 cannulated AO screws inserted through small incisions into the medial aspect of the tibial plateau. Knee rehabilitation started postoperatively. Weight bearing started after 8–12 weeks depending upon the radiographic appearance. All external fixators were removed in outpatient facilities. All patients were clinically and radiographically evaluated at a mean follow-up of 48 months (range 38–57 months). Clinical results were evaluated according to the Knee Society clinical score. Average healing time was 24 weeks (range 18–29 weeks). In 1 patient a non-union occurred. This patient was treated with open reduction and plate fixation. In 2 patients a varus knee deformity occurred and a surgical correction was performed. There were no surgical complications. Mean knee range of motion was 105° (range 75–125°) and mean Knee Society clinical score was 89. Twenty-five results were scored as excellent, 4 good, 2 fair and 1 poor. Using this technique there is limited soft tissue damage and virtually no periosteum damage to the fracture fragments. However anatomical reconstruction of the joint can be obtained. Furthermore knee rehabilitation can be started immediately after surgery. We think that these factors were responsible for the optimal clinical long-term results.     

Scintigraphic validation of AC Biosusceptometry to study the gastric motor activity and the intragastric distribution of food in humans

Abnormal intragastric distribution of food (IDF) and a phasic contractility in the proximal stomach have been related to dyspeptic symptoms. Thus, the behaviour of the stomach and the proximal region, in particular, continues to attract attention and demand for reliable and comfortable techniques. The aims of this study were to employ AC Biosusceptometry (ACB) and scintigraphy to evaluate IDF and gastric motor activity in humans. Fifteen healthy volunteers ingested 60 mL of yogurt containing 2 mCi of 99mTc and 4 g of ferrite. Each volunteer had gastric motility and IDF evaluated twice on separate days; on one occasion by ACB and another by scintigraphy. Digital signal processing was performed in MatLab (Mathworks Inc., Natick, MA, USA). Results were expressed as mean +/- SD. Similar results of distal accumulation time (P < 0.001) were obtained for scintigraphy (6.93 +/- 3.25 min) and for ACB (7.04 +/- 3.65 min). Fast Fourier Transform revealed two dominant frequencies (P > 0.9). Besides the well-know frequency of 3 cpm, our results showed identical frequencies in proximal stomach recordings (P < 0.001) for scintigraphic (1.01 +/- 0.01 cpm) and ACB (0.98 +/- 0.06 cpm). In summary, our data showed that scintigraphy and ACB are promising techniques to evaluate several aspects of gastric motility. Moreover, ACB is non-invasive, radiation-free and deserves the same importance as conventional methods for this kind of analysis.