Reconstruction of the wrist pseudoarthrosis due to radioulnar fractures with vascularized fibular graft in a child with neurofibromatosis

Nonunion in the forearm following a radioulnar fracture is one of the nightmares of the orthopedic surgeon. Fortunately, it is rare. We treated a large bone defect of the forearm, using a vascularized fibular graft after excision of the unhealed bone segment in a 10-year-old boy with neurofibromatosis. This situation followed a double fracture that had been operated on several times using conventional methods. Following the debridement of the unhealthy tissues in the pseudoarthrotic region, the vascularized fibula was placed on the dorsal surface of the proximal radius fragment. The distal fragment of the radius was inserted into the fibular cavity and fixation was established with a Kirschner wire distally and with a plate proximally. Only two screws were used to fix the plate. The peroneal artery was anastomosed with the radial artery; one of its venae comitantes was anastomosed with the cephalic vein in an end-to-end fashion. After surgery, the elbow was immobilized at 90 degrees of flexion with a splint for 6 weeks. One year after surgery, forearm stabilization and elbow and hand functions were very satisfactory. However, because the distal epiphyses of the bones were destroyed following the repeated surgery and the original trauma itself, a very prominent difference between the two forearms occurred, suggesting the need for bone lengthening in the future. By presenting this case we would like to conclude that one can expect good bone healing with a vascularized bone transfer in these cases when there is not enough space to place screws, but support can be provided by an external splint and K wire.     

The comparison of Nice knots and traditional methods as an auxiliary reduction-fixation technique in pre-contoured locking plate fixation for comminuted Robinson type 2B clavicle fracture: A retrospective study

Open reduction and pre-contoured locking plate fixation is a popular treatment option for displaced midshaft clavicle fracture. Lag screw and cerclage are 2 main intraoperative techniques to reduce and fix fragments. However, both lag screw and metallic cerclage have disadvantages. The doubled-suture Nice knot has been reported in many areas of orthopedic surgery for its effectiveness. This study aims to compare the outcomes of comminuted mid-shaft clavicle fractures reduced by Nice knots vs traditional techniques (lag screw or/and metallic cerclage) when bridged with pre-contoured locking plates.We retrospectively reviewed 101 patients (65 females and 36 males) diagnosed with midshaft clavicle fractures with at least one wedge fragment reduced by either Nice knots or traditional methods and bridged with pre-contoured locking plates between December 2016 and April 2019. Operation time, functional outcomes, pain, patient satisfaction, fracture healing, and complications were assessed at a follow-up of 12 to 40 months.The mean age of all the patients was 50.8 years. There were 52 and 49 patients in the Nice knot group and traditional group respectively, and no differences between 2 groups were found in general patient characteristics, fracture type, follow up and injury-to-surgery duration. The Nice knot group had significant less operation time (P < .01) than the traditional group (mean and standard deviation [SD], 78.6 ± 19.0 compared with 94.4 ± 29.9 minutes, respectively). For healing time, functional score, pain, satisfaction and complications, there were no significant differences between groups, despite the Nice knot group had slightly better results.Both Nice knots and traditional methods treated for comminuted Robinson type 2B clavicle fractures were effective and safe. And the Nice knots seemed to be superior with significant less operation time.     

The risk assessment model of fracture nonunion after intramedullary nailing for subtrochanteric femur fracture

To investigate the influencing factors of fracture nonunion after intramedullary nailing for subtrochanteric fractures and to construct a risk assessment model.Based on the multicenter retrospective analysis of 251 patients, all patients were divided into modeling group and verification group. In the modeling group, postoperative fracture nonunion rate, general data, fracture-related factors, surgical reduction-related factors, mechanical and biological factors were calculated, and the influencing factors of fracture nonunion were screened by univariate analysis. Logistic regression model was used for multifactor analysis to construct the risk assessment model. Based on the logistic regression model, the risk prediction model was constructed by drawing the Nomogram diagram. Through the verification group, the influencing factors were evaluated again, and the differentiation and calibration of the model were evaluated. The calibration degree was evaluated by Hosmer-Lemeshow test, goodness of fit test, and calibration curve. The discriminant degree was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic curve.Fracture nonunion occurred in 34 of 149 patients in the modeling group. Among the 14 potential influencing factors, univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis showed that postoperative hip varus, intramedullary nail fixation failure, and reduction of fracture with large incision were the risk factors of fracture nonunion. The medial cortex fracture was seen reduced on X-Ray was a protective factor for fracture nonunion, and a regression equation was established. Based on the logistic regression model, the Nomogram diagram is drawn. Twenty-four cases of fracture nonunion occurred in the verification group. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was area under curve =0.883 > 0.7, indicating that there was a moderate differentiation to evaluate the occurrence of fracture nonunion after operation. The goodness of fit test: the Hosmers-Lemeshow test (X² = 2.921, P = .712 > .05) showed that the model had a good calibration.After intramedullary nailing of subtrochanteric fracture, hip varus, failure of intramedullary nail fixation and wide surgical dissection are the risk factors of fracture nonunion, and the postoperative reduction of medial cortex fracture is protective factor.National key research and development projects: 2016YFC0105806     

扩髓交锁髓内钉治疗股骨干萎缩性骨不连

目的 探讨股骨干萎缩性骨不连的原因及扩髓交锁髓内钉治疗股骨干萎缩性骨不连的效果。方法对23例股骨干萎缩性骨不连的患者采用扩大髓腔的交锁髓内钉内固定。结果 经6个月～2年的随访，骨折全部愈合，关节功能明显改善。结论 扩大髓腔的交锁髓内钉内固定是治疗股骨干萎缩性骨不连的理想方法。     

Does the Use of Ibuprofen in Children with Extremity Fractures Increase their Risk for Bone Healing Complications?

Background

Despite being an effective analgesic for children with fractures, some clinicians may avoid prescribing ibuprofen due to its potentially harmful effect on bone healing.

Supplemental graft fixation for distal radius vascularized bone graft

Vascularized bone grafts from the distal radius have been used successfully for the treatment of scaphoid nonunions. Typically, the harvested graft is secured into the scaphoid with a press-fit technique. This type of fixation may lead to graft extrusion in the early postoperative period, and thus to treatment failure. In this technical note, we describe the use of micro bone suture anchors for supplemental fixation of the vascularized bone graft into the scaphoid. It is a simple and quick technique and provides an enhanced fixation of the vascularized bone graft, which is beneficial during the early critical period of bone healing.     

Management of scaphoid nonunion

The primary risk factor for nonunion of the scaphoid is displacement/instability, but delayed or missed diagnosis, inadequate treatment, fracture location, and blood supply are also risk factors. Untreated nonunion leads to degenerative wrist arthritis-the so-called scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse wrist. However, the correlation of symptoms and disease is poor; the true "natural history" is debatable because we evaluate only symptomatic patients presenting for treatment. It is not clear that surgery can change the natural history, even if union is attained. The diagnosis of nonunion is made on radiographs, but computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scans can be useful to assess deformity and blood supply. Treatment options vary from percutaneous fixation to open reduction and internal fixation with vascularized or nonvascularized bone grafting to salvage procedures involving excision and/or arthrodesis of carpals.