Tibia Shaft Fractures Treated with the Hoffmann External Fixation / 대한정형외과학회잡지

The anatomical characteristics of the tibia, which is covered by subcutaneous tissue anteriorly, emphasize the vulnerability of the tibia to trauma and frequently result in open comminuted fracture. Open fractures add to the risk of infection and nonunion and require treatment that prevent infection, provide skin coverage, and maintaine reasonable fixation during the early healing phase. 50 cases of tibia shaft fractures were reviewed from May 1978 to December 1983, managed with the modified Vidal-Adrey frame of Hoffmann extemal fixator, at the Orthopaedic Department of Kyung Hee University Hospital. The results obtained were as follows; 1. In 50 cases of tibia fractures, 46 cases are open injuries and 43 cases (86.0%) among them were Grade II and IU open fractures. 2. 31 operative procedures were performed for the coverage of soft tissue injury; 13 cases of rotation and cross-leg pedicle flaps were effective aids, but futher good results could be expected with the micmvascular free flap. 3. 17 operative procedures for acceleration of bony union and reconstruction of bone defect were performed. In cases of massive bone defect, vascularized fibular transplantation and free vascularized fibular graft should be employed, and additional bone shortening and electric stimulation would contribute to the enhancement of the bony union process. 4. The mean period of extemal immobilization with the frame was 15.4 weeks and that of bone union was 31.7 weeks. The periods of bone union were markedly delayed in cases of Grade II andIII open fracture than those of closed and Grade I open fractures. 5. Nonunion developed in 17 cases (34.0%); 4 cases in Grade II and 13 cases in Grade III injury. 6. 12 cases of wound infection developed. 7. 12 cases of pin tract infection happened. More careful pin tract management could diminish this troublesome complication.

Arthroscopic Total Meniscectomy of the Lateral Discoid Meniscus / 대한정형외과학회잡지

The technique of the arthroscopic total meniscectomy of discoid meniscus is very difficult. Ikeuchi(1982) reported a technique of arthroscopic total meniscectomy of the lateral discoid meniscus by removal of 2/3 of the anterior part of the meniscus first and then by morselization. The purpose of this paper is to report a technique of arthroscopic total meniscectomy of the lateral discoid meniscus as a whole. During the period from October 1982 to October 1984, we had 12 experiences of arthroscopic total meniscectomy of the discoid meniscus and found good results, that is, little postoperative pain, short period of hospitalization and early restoration of joint motion without physical therapy. Complications are 3 cases of symptomless slight lateral instability and 4 cases of hemarthrosis.

Follow / 대한정형외과학회잡지

From May, 1971 to June, 1984, we performed extensive saucerization on the chronic osteomyelitis of long bones eradicating all pathologic foci; not only sequestra but sclerotic involocurum and necrotic original cortex embeded by new bone, which was different from the conventional methods such as sequestrectomy or guttering in its extensiveness. Clinical analysis on the base of radiologic evaluation after saucerization was done on the 16 patients; for average 5 years of follow-up. The results obtained were as follows; 1. The angulatory deformity of the long bones after pathologic fracture complicated by the chronic osteomyelitis was not corrected satisfactorily due to the bony sclerosis or hyperostosis at the fracture site, especially in cases of posterior or medial angulation. 2. The recurrence was closely related to the persisting non-sequestered original cortical lesion after incomplete saucerization, which was embeded by the new bone. So to prevent the recurrence the non-sequestered original cortical lesion must be removed completely. 3. The cortical defect after saucerization was restored completely in patients under the age of 14, but which was not the way in patients over the age of 16.

Popliteal Artery Injury Associated with Severe Knee Trauma / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Fracture dislocation or dislocation of the knee can produce a popliteal artery injury that may be difficult to evaluate clinically. Diagnosis of disruption or thrombosis of the popliteal artery is frequently delayed until the opportunity to salvage the extremity is lost. 22 cases of popliteal artery injury were reviewed from July 1978 to December 1983, associated with severe knee trauma at the Orthopaedic department of Kyung Hee University Hospital, of whom average follow-up for about 52 months. The results obtained were as follows; 1. In all 22 cases, 14 cases (63. 6%) were amputated. The amputation rate was correlated with ischemic time after injury. 2. Resection of all injuried vessels with reconstitution of continuity by the use of an interposed saphenous vein graft is often warrented to avoid tension. 3. All 8 patients, which was managed conservatively, were amputated in all cases(100%). In cases of suspicious popliteal artery injury, early aggressive exploration and obvious microvascular reconstruction should be mandatory. 4. Subperiosteal fibulectomy-fasciotomy should be done routinely immediately after vascular injury. 5. Diagnosis of popliteal artery injury was based on the clinical findings but the capillary filling was not contributary. 6. The use of Doppler flowmeter and emergency arteriography was recognizedtobeanexcellent methods in determination of arterial injury.