Risk factors of avascular necrosis of the femoral head and fixation failure in patients with valgus angulated femoral neck fractures over the age of 50 years

IntroductionThe aim of our study was to identify the risk factors for avascular necrosis of the femoral head (AVN) and fixation failure (FF) after screw osteosynthesis in patients with valgus angulated femoral neck fractures.Patients and methodsWe conducted a retrospective study of 308 patients (mean age, 72.5 years, range, 50–97 years), with a mean follow-up of 21.4 months (range, 12–64 months). The risk for failure in treatment (FIT) associated with patient- and fracture-related factors was evaluated by logistic regression analyses.ResultsFIT was identified in 32 cases (10.3%): 22 cases (7.1%) of AVN and 10 cases (3.2%) of FF. Initial valgus tilt > 15° (p = 0.023), posterior tilt > 15° (p = 0.012), and screw sliding distance (p = 0.037) were significantly associated with FIT. FIT occurred in 7 patients (5.2%) with B1.2.1 fractures and 17 patients (48.6%) with B1.1.2 fractures (p < 0.001). The odds of FIT were 17-fold higher in patients with initial valgus and posterior tilts > 15° (B1.1.2) compared to patients with <15° of tilt in both planes (B1.2.1).ConclusionThe severity of initial deformity predicts AVN and FF in patients with valgus angulated femoral neck fractures. Patients with an initial valgus and posterior tilt > 15° are reasonable candidates for primary arthroplasty due to high risk of FIT.     

Prehospital fast track care for patients with hip fracture: Impact on time to surgery,hospital stay,post-operative complications and mortality a randomised,controlled trial

IntroductionAmbulance organisations in Sweden have introduced prehospital fast track care (PFTC) for patients with suspected hip fracture. This means that the ambulance nurse starts the pre-operative procedure otherwise implemented at the accident & emergency ward (A&E) and transports the patient directly to the radiology department instead of A&E. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the patient is transported directly to the orthopaedic ward. No previous randomised, controlled studies have analysed PFTC to describe its possible advantages.The aim of this study is to examine whether PFTC has any impact on outcomes such as time to surgery, length of stay, post-operative complications and mortality.MethodsThe design of this study is a prehospital randomised, controlled study, powered to include 400 patients. The patients were randomised into PFTC or the traditional care pathway (A&E group).ResultsTime from arrival to start for X-ray was faster for PFTC (mean, 28 vs. 145 min; p < 0.001), but the groups did not differ with regard to time from start of X-ray to start of surgery (mean 18.40 h in both groups). No significant differences between the groups were observed with regard to: time from arrival to start of surgery (p = 0.07); proportion operated within 24 h (79% PFTC, 75% A&E; p = 0.34); length of stay (p = 0.34); post-operative complications (p = 0.75); and 4 month mortality (18% PFTC, 15% A&E p = 0.58).ConclusionPFTC improved time to X-ray and admission to a ward, as expected, but did not significantly affect time to start of surgery, length of stay, post-operative complications or mortality. These outcomes were probably affected by other factors at the hospital. Patients with either possible life-threatening conditions or life-threatening conditions prehospital were excluded.     

Effects of cartilage impact with and without fracture on chondrocyte viability and the release of inflammatory markers

Post‐traumatic arthritis (PTA) frequently develops after intra‐articular fracture of weight bearing joints. Loss of cartilage viability and post‐injury inflammation have both been implicated as possible contributing factors to PTA progression. To further investigate chondrocyte response to impact and fracture, we developed a blunt impact model applying 70%, 80%, or 90% surface‐to‐surface compressive strain with or without induction of an articular fracture in a cartilage explant model. Following mechanical loading, chondrocyte viability, and apoptosis were assessed. Culture media were evaluated for the release of double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA) and immunostimulatory activity via nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) activity in Toll‐like receptor (TLR) ‐expressing Ramos‐Blue reporter cells. High compressive strains, with or without articular fracture, resulted in significantly reduced chondrocyte viability. Blunt impact at 70% strain induced a loss in viability over time through a combination of apoptosis and necrosis, whereas blunt impact above 80% strain caused predominantly necrosis. In the fracture model, a high level of primarily necrotic chondrocyte death occurred along the fracture edges. At sites away from the fracture, viability was not significantly different than controls. Interestingly, both dsDNA release and NF‐κB activity in Ramos‐Blue cells increased with blunt impact, but was only significantly increased in the media from fractured cores. This study indicates that the mechanism of trauma determines the type of chondrocyte death and the potential for post‐injury inflammation. (c) 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:1283–1292, 2013     

An aggressive and fatal craniofacial group A Streptococcus infection resulting from a minimally displaced orbital floor fracture

While sharp, penetrating trauma is often associated with group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections and subsequent necrotizing fasciitis (NF) and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), there are scant reports in the oral and maxillofacial surgery literature regarding blunt, non-penetrating trauma in association with these conditions. With a clinical course that initially appears relatively benign following blunt trauma, NF can progress swiftly through the fascial planes and may quickly become life-threatening if the oral and maxillofacial surgeon fails to recognize some of the critical pathognomonic signs. The case of a 64-year-old female who suffered a ground-level mechanical fall with a minimally displaced lateral orbital wall fracture is reported here. This seemingly benign, non-penetrating injury subsequently developed into rapidly progressive, fatal NF and STSS. This case is used to highlight the necessity for early detection of NF and STSS prior to rapid clinical decline, as these scenarios, particularly bilateral peri-orbital NF with resulting mortality, have been reported infrequently following blunt, craniofacial trauma in the literature related to this specialty.     

Accuracy analysis of computer-assisted surgery for femoral trochanteric fracture using a fluoroscopic navigation system: Stryker ADAPT®system

PurposeADAPT is a fluoroscopic computer-assisted surgery system which intraoperatively shows the distance from the tip of the screw to the surface of the femoral head, tip-to-head-surface distance (TSD), and the tip-apex distance (TAD) advocated by Baumgaertner et al. The study evaluated the accuracy of ADAPT.Patients and methodsA total of 55 patients operated with ADAPT between August 2016 and March 2017 were included as subjects. TSD and TAD were measured postoperatively using computed tomography (CT) and X-rays. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was checked in advance. The error was defined as the difference between postoperative and intraoperative measurement values of ADAPT. Summary statistics, root mean square errors (RMSEs), and correlations were evaluated.ResultsICC was 0.94 [95% CI: 0.90–0.96] in TSD and 0.99 [95% CI: 0.98–0.99] in TAD. The error was −0.35 mm (−1.83 mm to 1.12 mm) in TSD and +0.63 mm (−5.65 mm to 4.59 mm) in TAD. RMSE was 0.63 mm in TSD and 1.53 mm in TAD. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was 0.79 [95% CI: 0.66–0.87] in TSD and 0.83 [95% CI: 0.72–0.89] in TAD. There were no adverse events with ADAPT use.ConclusionADAPT is highly accurate and useful in guiding surgeons in properly positioning the screws.     

颅底骨折患者降钙素原变化的临床观察

目的探讨监测降钙素原（PCT）在颅底骨折中的应用价值。方法收集颅底骨折感染组（n=15）和非感染组（n=15）的血清样本,另收集正常体检的健康人作为对照组,检测血清中的PCT水平并比较。结果颅底骨折患者血清PCT水平高于正常对照组,颅内感染组PCT水平高于非感染组。结论颅底骨折可引起PCT升高;血清PCT可作为颅内感染早期诊断的指标。