Cementless Hemiarthroplasty for Intracapsular Femoral Neck Fractures in the Octa- and Nonagenarians

BackgroudCurrent evidence supports the use of cemented hemiarthroplasty for treatment of intracapsular femoral neck fractures since it is associated with a lower risk of implant-related complications. However, many medical centers employ the cementless technique for the frail elderly population because it is faster and has lower cardiovascular risks and perioperative mortality. This observational study reports the outcomes of cementless bipolar hemiarthroplasty for intracapsular femoral neck fractures in patients aged 80 years and older.MethodsA total of 424 patients (female, 77.1%) with a mean age of 86.9 years were operated for intracapsular femoral neck fractures between January 2009 and December 2017. Of those, 66.7% had an American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) score of 3 or more. All operations were performed with the posterolateral surgical approach and all patients received a cementless stem. Intraoperative and perioperative values and in-hospital outcomes were evaluated, and clinical and radiographical follow-up was done at 40 days, 90 days, and when possible between 5 months and 12 months postoperatively. Multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate if there were factors affecting mortality.ResultsThe mean operative time was 50 minutes. There were no deaths intraoperatively. Intraoperative periprosthetic fractures occurred in 2.1% of the cases with 66.7% of them fixed through cerclage wires intraoperatively. The median length of hospitalization was 11 days (interquartile range, 8.75–15) and 2.4% of patients died while in hospital after surgery. Approximately 91.5% of patients presented with perioperative anemia. Only 1.9% of the complications were related to the implant, 62.5% of which were dislocations. More than 90% of patients were ambulatory either autonomously or with support at each follow-up assessment. Age, male sex, and higher ASA score were related to increased mortality.ConclusionsDespite some limitations, this observational study underlines that a cementless femoral stem of modern design can give good clinical outcomes, thus being an appropriate solution especially for the frail elderly.     

Remote medulla ablongata ventral acute subarachnoid hemorrhage following cervical spinal surgery: A case report

IntroductionThe incidence of remote intracranial hemorrhage (RICH) in patients during spinal surgery is rare and the detailed mechanism remains unclear.Presentation of caseA 55-year-old man had undergone cervical discectomy and fusion at C5–6 and C6–7 due to herniated disc and secondary spinal canal stenosis. He had severe headache 20 h postoperatively and his drain output increased from 100 to 350 mL in the second 10 h after surgery. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed and he was diagnosed with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage in the ventral medulla oblongata. The drainage tube was quickly removed. Infusion of hypertonic saline was used to reduce intracranial pressure and nimodipine prevented vasospasm around the brainstem. The patient made a gradual, satisfactory recovery with conservative treatment.DiscussionThe most likely pathomechanism leading to RICH is venous bleeding due to rapid leak of a large amount of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) after spinal surgery. If the patient has a headache or neurological complaints after spinal surgery, immediate imaging is recommended to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment depends on the amount and location of intracranial hemorrhage.ConclusionRICH is a serious but rare complication of spinal surgery and cerebellar hemorrhage is the most common. The most important pathomechanism leading to RICH after spinal surgery is venous bleeding due to rapid leak of a large amount of CSF. Timely CT is necessary to exclude RICH. Treatment of RICH depends on the size of the intracranial hematoma and the patient’s symptoms.     

Cranial floor fracture: A growing orbital roof fracture with encephalocele – Case Report

Orbital roof fractures are among the rarest of craniofacial fractures. The mechanism of injury is typically a high-impact blunt force vector directly to the orbit or forehead. Most patients are males between 20 and 40 years old, involved in motor vehicle accidents. Although most orbital roof fractures are managed conservatively, there is a significant risk of ophthalmologic and neurologic complications. Detailed craniofacial examination and high-resolution CT imaging is necessary for diagnosis. A multidisciplinary team approach is required for these challenging fractures.     

Vertebral level of the ending of the spinal cord and its relationship to the length of the vertebral column in Northern Turkish neonates

Summary Racial and sex differences in the level of ending of the spinal cord of the adult have been reported. It is lower in Africans and in females. Since such differences may affect even fetuses and newborns we aimed to study in Northern Turkish neonates. The study was made on 40 full-term newborn still-births (23 male, 17 female). In all cases, the length of the vertebral column, the length of the spinal cord and the body weight were measured and the vertebral level of ending of the spinal cord was noted. It was found that the termination of the spinal cord varied from the first lumbar to the second sacral vertebra, with a mean level between L2 and L3. In female neonates, it was observed that the spinal cord ended at a slightly lower level (0.2 vertebra) than in males. Our findings approximately agreed with those of Barson [2] who studied neonates in England and of Jit and Charnalia [5] in North India. However, we found that the spinal cord ended one and half vertebrae lower in Northern Turkish neonates than in South African and South Indian subjects. The correlations between body-weight and length of the spinal cord, weight and length of the vertebral column, length of the spinal cord and length of vertebral column, length of the vertebral column and level of ending of the cord were statistically highly significant for males, females and both sexes together (p<0.001). The longer the vertebral column, the higher the termination of the spinal cord.

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Niveau vertébral de la terminaison de la moelle épinière et sa relation avec la longueur de la colonne vertébrale chez le nouveau-né en Turquie du Nord

Résumé Selon la race et le sexe, les différences de niveau de la terminaison de la moelle épinière ont été rapportées chez l'adulte. Elle est plus basse chez les Africains et chez les femmes. Dès lors il se peut qu'il existe déjà des différences raciales et selon le sexe, chez le foetus et le nouveau-né. Nous nous proposons d'étudier une population de nouveau-nés du Nord de la Turquie. Cette étude est faite à partir de 40 nouveau-nés à terme, décèdes (23 garçons et 17 filles). Chez tous ces nouveau-nés, la longueur de la colonne vertébrale, la longueur de la moelle épinière et le poids ont été mesurés. Le niveau vertébral de la terminaison de la moelle épinière variait entre la première vertèbre lombaire et la deuxième vertèbre sacrée. Le niveau moyen de cette terminaison était situé entre L2 et L3. Chez les filles nouveau-nés, il était observé que la moelle épinière se terminait légèrement plus bas (0,2 vertèbre) que chez les garçons nouveaunés. Nos observations rejoignent celles de Barson [2] qui étudia des nouveaunés d'Angleterre et celles de Jit et Charnalia [5] qui étudièrent des nouveau-nés du Nord de l'Inde. Cependant, nous avons trouvé que la moelle épinière se terminait une vertèbre et demie plus bas chez les nouveau-nés de la Turquie du Nord que chez les nouveau-nés d'Afrique du Sud et d'Inde du Sud. La corrélation entre le poids des spécimens et la longueur de la moelle épinière; le poids et la longueur de la colonne vertébrale, la longueur de la moelle épinière et la longueur de la colonne vertébrale, la longueur de la colonne vertébrale et le niveau vertébral de la terminaison de la moelle épinière parmi les garçons, les filles, et dans les deux sexes, étaient statistiquement très significatifs (p<0.001). Plus la colonne vertébrale était longue, plus haute était située la terminaison de la moelle épinière.

     

国人男性椎管的测量与观察

本文对广西出土的113例男性干燥椎骨的椎孔,进行了矢径、横径的测量和形态观察。椎孔的矢、横径在壮族(30例),汉族(57例)间无显著差异(P>0.05)。在C_(3～6)椎骨水平,推管的矢径和形态与脊髓的外形不一致,矢径于该处形成生理性狭窄,以C_4处为最小(12.92mm)。除C_1外,椎管的形态可分为4型:Ⅰ型圆型;Ⅱ型三角型;Ⅲ型过渡型;Ⅳ型不整型。 C_(1,2)椎管的形状为圆型,向下至C_6,通过半圆形逐步过渡到三角形(C_6占81.31％);再向下至T_6,三角形通过蛤形和多边形又逐渐过渡为圆形(T_6占84.76％);再向下至L_5,又通过蛤形逐渐过渡为三角型(L_5占99％)。从L_3至L_5,三角形椎孔有逐步通过钟形向三叶形过渡的趋势。三叶形腰椎管占5.02％。本文结果支持Eisenstein的观点,认为三叶形结构是一种普通的、非病理性的现象,与年龄增长、骨赘或椎孔狭窄无关,这或许是一种正常的发育性变异。     

Reduction and stabilization of lumbar and thoracolumbar spine fractures with Louis' plates and internal fixator: a comparative study

Summary In this retrospective study, 28 patients who presented isolated fractures from T11 to L4 were surgically treated using a posterior approach. The fractures were reduced and stabilized in half of the cases with Louis' plates and in the other half with an internal fixator. Twelve patients had partial neurological deficits on admission. They were reviewed after a mean period of 24 months from time of injury, and 10 months after implant removal. The kyphosis of the fractured vertebral body was measured, and showed a mean value of 18° before surgery and 10.3° at the last visit. The regional statics of the spine were also studied. The residual mobility of the fixated and neighbouring spinal units was assessed, comparing long segment fixation (plates) with short segment fixation (internal fixator). The residual mobility of the adjacent, non-fixed segments was significantly better when the internal fixator had been used than with the Louis' plates. Of the 12 patients with neurological involvement, 11 had increased their Frankel score by one grade. Results were evaluated by clinical parameters (pain, neurological deficit, occupational disability); scores were as follows: 32% good, 57% satisfactory and 11% poor. There was no significant difference in clinical score between the two treatment modalities.     

Gamma钉治疗股骨粗隆间骨折效果探讨

目的 探讨应用Gamma钉治疗股骨粗隆间骨折的疗效。方法 应用Gamma钉治疗我院骨科自1997年1月－2000年1月收治疗的各种股骨粗是骨折的患者36例。结果 本组病例经术后平均1年6个月的访,骨折愈合,无1例发生髋内翻、下肢外旋和短缩等畸形,患肢关节功能优良率88.4%,疗效较好。结论 Gamma钉是治疗股骨粗隆间骨折较为理想的方法。