Study of Deep Vein Thrombosis Screening by using Ultrasound Doppler in Patients with Pelvic and Acetabulum Fractures Requiring Operative Intervention

@#Introduction: Pelvic and acetabulum fractures are commonly caused by high impact injuries, increasing the risk of patients developing thromboembolic diseases such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Therefore, this study was performed to determine the incidence of lower extremity DVT in patients with pelvic and acetabulum fractures and the importance of preoperative screening with Doppler ultrasound prior to surgical intervention. Materials and methods: This retrospective study involved 78 patients with pelvic and acetabulum fractures requiring surgical intervention from January 2015 until December 2019. Patients who underwent surgical interventions were screened pre-operatively with Doppler ultrasound to detect lower limb DVT and later compared with the incidence of lower limb DVT post-operatively. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 24. Results: The participants of this study consisted of 30.8% females and 69.2% males. Pre-operative screening with Doppler ultrasound showed that three patients (3.8%) were diagnosed with lower limb DVT, whereas one of them (1.3%) was symptomatic and diagnosed with PE. Postoperatively, one patient developed DVT, and one patient developed PE. Both patients were negative for DVT preoperatively. Conclusion: The incidence of DVT in patients with pelvic and acetabulum fractures requiring operative intervention was significant despite the initiation of mechanical and pharmacological thromboprophylaxis upon admission. Despite the low incidence of DVT in our study, it has a high impact on patients’ morbidity and mortality; thus, preoperative screening is important for early detection and the subsequent reduction of the risk of developing PE. The compulsory use of Doppler ultrasound of bilateral lower limbs as a part of pre-operative screening is highly recommended because it is cost-effective, efficient and readily available in most tertiary hospitals nationwide.

The Incidence of Fracture-Related Infection in Open Tibia Fracture with Different Time Interval of Initial Debridement

@#Introduction: The primary aim of open fracture management is to prevent fracture-related infection by early antibiotic administration, debridement and wound coverage. However, the timing of the initial debridement is still controversial, and 6 to 24 hours is commonly advocated. Studies have yet to provide substantial evidence regarding the best time for surgical debridement. Thus, this study was conducted to compare the incidence of fracture-related infection at different time intervals of initial debridement of the open tibia fracture. Materials and methods: A total of 91 patients with grade I, II and IIIa open tibia fractures were recruited from 2016 to 2018, and their data were obtained from the consensus book and medical records. Participants were divided into four groups based on the time of initial debridement: (1) less than 6 hours, (2) 6 to less than 12 hours, (3) 12 to less than 24 hours, and (4) 24 hours and more. Fracture-related infection was determined by using Metsemakers confirmative criteria. Association between time and infection were determine by Binary Logistic Regression analysis by remerged the group into three; (1) less than 12 hours, (2) 12 to less than 24 hours and (3) 24 hours and more. The collected information was analysed using SPSS version 24 and Microsoft Excel 2010. Results: The mean age of the participants was 31.9 years old, with male predominant (n=80, 87.0%). Most participants had delayed initial debridement of more than 24 hours and predominantly Gustilo-Anderson type IIIa (n=47). A total of 8 fractures complicated with infection (8.7%), majority in grade IIIa and debridement performed within 12 to less than 24 hours. Binary logistic regression showed increased odds of infection with a delayed wound debridement both in clinical presentation and positive culture, but the association was not statistically significant. The commonest organism isolated was Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Conclusion: Comparing to different time interval, initial wound debridement of more than 24 hours did not have strong association with increasing infection rate. However, even though statistically not significant, the odds of infection was increase with increasing time of initial wound debridement of an open tibia fracture, thus it should be performed early.

Functional Outcome of Surgical Stabilisation of Acetabular Fractures

@#Introduction: Approach to the management of displaced acetabular fractures has evolved from conservative to operative management after the work of Judet and Letournel. Various surgical methods have been explored and described by authors to address this type of fracture, leading to improved clinical outcome. This study aimed to evaluate functional outcome of surgically treated displaced acetabular fractures in the Malaysian context. Materials and methods: We analysed 43 patients with isolated acetabular fractures who were treated operatively with a minimum of three years follow-up. Anthropometric data, Judet-Letournel fracture pattern, surgical approach and complications were recorded. Post-operative Matta radiological outcome were evaluated for joint congruency and hip functional outcome was evaluated using Merle d’Aubgine-Postel and Harris Hip Score (HHS). All statistical analyses were analysed using SPSS version 24.0. Results: The most frequent elementary fracture type was posterior wall (30.2%) while associated type was both columns (23.3%). Mean functional outcome of Merle d'Aubigné-Postel was 15.77 and HHS was 86.6. Thirty-three (76.7%) patients achieved satisfactory functional outcome, 19 (44.1%) patients achieved anatomic reduction (<2 mm step-off) based on Matta classification while 24 (55.8%) did not achieve the desired outcome. Fracture pattern exhibited strong association with post-operative Matta radiological outcome (p-value 0.001). However both fracture pattern and Matta radiological outcome did not exhibit association with the functional outcome group. The mean time for surgical interventions was 10.8 days and there was no significant association with final functional outcome score. Conclusion: Fracture pattern is a strong contributing factor towards post-operative Matta radiological outcome. However, achieving the perfect anatomical reduction is not of utmost important factor to predict the good functional outcome.

Displaced Physeal and Metaphyseal Fractures of Distal Radius in Children. Can Wire Fixation Achieve Better Outcome at Skeletal Maturity than Cast Alone?

@#Introduction:Redisplacement following fracture reduction is a known sequela during the casting period in children treated for distal radius fracture. Kirschner wire pinning can be alternatively used to maintain the reduction during fracture healing. This study was conducted to compare the outcomes at skeletal maturity of distal radius fractures in children treated with a cast alone or together with a Kirschner wire transfixation. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study involving 57 children with metaphyseal and physeal fractures of the distal radius. There were 30 patients with metaphyseal fractures, 19 were casted, and 11 were wire transfixed. There were 27 patients with physeal fractures, 19 were treated with a cast alone, and the remaining eight underwent pinning with Kirschner wires. All were evaluated clinically, and radiologically, and their overall outcome assessed according to the scoring system, at or after skeletal maturity, at the mean follow up of 6.5 years (3.0 to 9.0 years). Results: In the metaphysis group, patients treated with wire fixation had a restriction in wrist palmar flexion (p=0.04) compared with patients treated with a cast. There was no radiological difference between cast and wire fixation in the metaphysis group. In the physis group, restriction of motion was found in both dorsiflexion (p=0.04) and palmar flexion (p=0.01) in patients treated with wire fixation. There was a statistically significant difference in radial inclination (p=0.01) and dorsal tilt (p=0.03) between cast and wire fixation in physis group with a more increased radial inclination in wire fixation and a more dorsal tilt in patients treated with a cast. All patients were pain-free except one (5.3%) in the physis group who had only mild pain. Overall outcomes at skeletal maturity were excellent and good in all patients. Grip strength showed no statistical difference in all groups. Complications of wire fixation included radial physeal arrests, pin site infection and numbness. Conclusion: Cast and wire fixation showed excellent and good outcomes at skeletal maturity in children with previous distal radius fracture involving both metaphysis and physis. We would recommend that children who are still having at least two years of growth remaining be treated with a cast alone following a reduction unless there is a persistent unacceptable reduction warranting a wire fixation. The site of the fracture and the type of treatment have no influence on the grip strength at skeletal maturity.

Valgus Malalignment Due to Internally Malrotated Trochanteric Nail Placement, with Rotational Malalignment in Femoral Shaft Segmental Fracture Fixation, an Underestimated Avoidable Technical Error: A Case Report

@#Coronal malalignment due to malrotated trochanteric nail placement in femoral fracture fixation has never been reported. We present a case of a femoral segmental fracture fixed with a trochanteric nail, with a malrotated placement resulting in a valgus malaligned nail and femur, associated with a rotational malalignment. Knowledge of the modern nail design with proper intra-operative precautions, would avoid this underestimated technical error.

Early Vessels Exploration of Pink Pulseless Hand in Gartland III Supracondylar Fracture Humerus in Children: Facts and Controversies

The management of pink pulseless limbs in supracondylar fractures has remained controversial, especially with regards to the indication for exploration in a clinically well-perfused hand. We reviewed a series of seven patients who underwent surgical exploration of the brachial artery following supracondylar fracture. All patients had a non-palpable radial artery, which was confirmed by Doppler ultrasound. CT angiography revealed complete blockage of the artery with good collateral and distal run-off. Two patients were more complicated with peripheral nerve injuries, one median nerve and one ulnar nerve. Only one patient had persistent arterial constriction which required reverse saphenous graft. The brachial arteries were found to be compressed by fracture fragments, but were in continuity. The vessels were patent after the release of obstruction and the stabilization of the fracture. There was no transection of major nerves. The radial pulse was persistently present after 12 weeks, and the nerve activity returned to full function.