Smoking delays chondrogenesis in a mouse model of closed tibial fracture healing.

Smoking delays the healing process and increases morbidity associated with many common musculoskeletal disorders, including long bone fracture. In the current study, a murine model of tibial fracture healing was used to test the hypothesis that smoking delays chondrogenesis after fracture. Mice were divided into two groups, a nonsmoking control group and a group exposed to cigarette smoke for 1 month prior to surgical tibial fracture. Mice were euthanized at 7, 14, and 28 days after surgery. The outcomes measured were immunohistochemical staining for type II collagen protein expression as a marker of cartilage matrix and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) staining to measure proliferation at the site of injury. Toluidine blue staining and histomorphometry were used to quantify areas of cartilaginous and noncartilaginous fracture callus. Radiographs were analyzed for evidence of remodeling after injury. At day 7 after injury, mice exposed to cigarette smoke had a smaller fracture callus with less cartilage matrix compared to controls. Proliferation was present at high levels in both groups at this time point, but proliferating cells had a more immature morphology in the smoking group. At day 14, chondrogenesis was more active in smokers compared to controls, while a higher percentage of bone was present in the control animals. At day 28, X-ray analysis revealed a larger fracture callus remaining in the smoking animals. Together, these findings show that the chondrogenic phase of tibial fracture healing is delayed by smoking. This study represents, to our knowledge, the first analysis of molecular and cellular mechanisms of healing in a smoking mouse fracture model.     

Hip fracture incidence in the canton of Vaud,Switzerland, 1986–1991

The objective of this study was to estimate the incidence of hip fracture in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland (total population 584 000), for the period 1986–1991 using routine hospital discharge data collected by the Cantonal Service of Statistical Research and Information (SCRIS). For the survey period, the estimated average annual crude incidence rate of hip fractures was 167 per 100 000 persons aged 20 or older (241 for women and 84 for men). For the population aged 50 years or older, the crude incidence rate was 388 per 100 000 persons (546 for women and 185 for men). The average annual age-specific rates rose exponentially by successive 5-year age groups. The median age of patients at the time of the fracture was 82 years in women and 74 years in men. There was no significant difference between the total number of cervical and trochanteric fractures. Between the ages of 20 and 84 years, the cumulative risk for a woman to be admitted to hospital with a hip fracture was twice that of a man (15.8% vs 7.8%). From 1986 to 1991, the age- and sex-adjusted incidence, like the ratio of cervical to trochanteric fractures, did not show any significant trend, although it was consistent with an increase in men (p=0.09). However, the annual number of fractures rose from 644 to 776, particularly among very aged men. The mean length of stay in the acute care hospital fell from 38 days in 1986 to 25 days in 1991. Finally, the comparison of these results with those obtained in 1986 for the same population from more exhaustive sources has confirmed the provision of a consistent, although overestimated, assessment of hip fracture incidence by means of these routine hospital statistics in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland.     

Short-term lack of cerebral perfusion with good outcome. Advantages of early intracranial pressure monitoring

A 21-year-old man was injured by a tailboard of a truck. He suffered a severe head injury with bilateral depressed skull fractures necessitating surgical decompression. On admission to the hospital the patient showed bending to pain stimuli (Glasgow Coma Score 5). Anisocoria was noticed from the beginning. Initial intracranial pressure (ICP), measured 3 hours after injury, was 30 mm Hg, and the cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) was 70 mm Hg. During surgical elevation of the skull fracture on the right side an unexplainable rise of ICP to values of 100 mm Hg occurred, which corresponded to the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP). At the same time both pupils were dilated and fixed indicating a lack of cerebral perfusion. Due to immediate trephination of the opposite side, the ICP was lowered to values below 20 mm Hg, and sufficient cerebral perfusion (above 50 mm Hg) was regained. The patient showed a good recovery and was transferred to a rehabilitation center 5 weeks after injury.This case report emphasizes the importance of early and continuous intracranial pressure monitoring for adequate therapy in neurosurgical emergencies.     

前路减压Z-plate内固定治疗胸腰段爆裂性骨折伴不全性截瘫

目的 探讨胸腰段爆裂性骨折伴不全瘫前路减压内固定优越性以及Z-plate系统的优点。方法 采用前路减压Z-plate内固定治疗胸腰段爆裂性骨折伴不全瘫25例。结果 全部病例均获随访，随访时间6～24个月，平均17个月。按Frankel分级评定有1～3级恢复，随访期间无后凸加重及内固定松动，植骨融合。结论 前路减压Z-plate内固定是治疗胸腰段爆裂性骨折的较好方法。     

肱骨干骨折内固定的选择及应注意的问题

目的正确选择肱骨干骨折手术内固定.方法对107例肱骨干骨折分别进行交锁髓内钉(34例)、加压钢板(29例)、Y型钢板(38例)、螺钉(6例)等内固定,并随访比较分析. 结果所有病例均得到随访,平均随访6.3个月.交锁髓内钉、螺钉内固定组全部愈合;加压钢板内固定组愈合26例,伴桡神经损伤2例;Y型钢板内固定组全部愈合,伴肘关节僵硬2例. 结论根据肱骨干骨折的部位和类型选用适当的内固定方法,骨折愈合良好,可有效的减少并发症的发生.     

C型臂X线机引导下经皮双侧骶髂拉力螺钉固定治疗骶骨H形骨折

目的探讨骶骨H形骨折可行的治疗方法。方法运用C型臂X线机引导下经皮双侧骶髂拉力螺钉固定治疗骶骨H形骨折15例。结果15例患者均获随访，随访时间7—34个月，骨折临床愈合时间3～5个月，术后均未留下明显行走障碍，下蹲等活动接近正常。结论在C型臂X线机精确引导下，经皮双侧骶髂拉力螺钉固定技术能有效地固定骶骨H形骨折中的垂直骨折，纠正骨盆垂直方向移位，操作简洁安全，疗效可靠。     

The difficult primary hip

Hip arthroplasty is a common orthopaedic procedure with proven long-term success and reliable results. A wide range of associated conditions may affect the outcome of the arthroplasty and the surgeon has to keep these in mind when planning the surgery. In this article, such situations are discussed and recommendations are drawn from the evidence available in literature.     

跟骨骨折的手术治疗

目的 探讨跟骨骨折手术治疗方法。方法 采用外侧切口，通过跟骨外侧骨皮质开门．将骨折复位后植骨．重建钢板螺钉内固定术．治疗24例（26足)。结果 术后均获5～32个月随访，按门振武等评分际准．优17例，良5例，差2例．结论 严重跟骨骨折手术治疗效果较满意。     

Moderate soft tissue trauma delays new bone formation only in the early phase of fracture healing.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a moderate soft tissue trauma to the course of fracture healing in a standardized animal model. Thirty-eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into a fracture group (F, n = 19) and a group with a fracture and a soft tissue trauma (F + STT, n = 19). The fracture and the soft tissue trauma were created using an impact device with a standardized energy. All fractures were stabilized by two Kirschner wires. Three rats were measured for blood flow and sacrificed at days 1, 3, 7, and 14, and seven rats at day 28, from both groups. A three-point bending test was performed on the healed tibia after 28 days. During the first 24 h there was a reduction in blood flow, which was more pronounced in the F + STT group than in the F group. From histological sections, the shape of the callus formation, as well as the tissue distribution of newly formed bone, fibrous cartilage and fibrous connective tissue were determined. Distinctly more periosteal new bone formed and a larger callus formed at days 3 and 7 in group F compared to group F + STT. However, by days 14 and 28, the ossification and overall callus size no longer showed differences between the two groups. A fast recovery of blood flow and callus formation took place in the F + STT group, which led to similar histological and biomechanical results in fracture healing observed after 28 days between the two groups.     

Pullout reattachment of tibial avulsion fractures of the anterior cruciate ligament: a firm,effective suture-tying method using a tensioner

We describe a firm, effective suture-tying method using a tensioner for reattaching tibial avulsion fractures of the anterior cruciate ligament. Our simple method achieves strong, firm reattachment of the fracture. In addition, it prevents fixation loosening during suture tying effectively. Since pullout repair using nonabsorbable sutures is commonly used to fix various avulsion fractures, the tensioner helps attain strong, firm reattachment of avulsion fractures simply and effectively.