ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the efficacy of open exploration, ulnar osteotomy and annular ligament reduction (three-in-one surgery) in the treatment of chronic Monteggia fracture in children.Methods:The data were analyzed retrospectively of the 35 children with chronic Monteggia fracture who had been admitted to Department of Pediatric Orthopaedics, Tianjin University from June 2017 to September 2021. There were 22 boys and 13 girls, and 19 left and 16 right sides, with an age of (6.8±2.5) years. Anterolateral dislocation of the radial head occurred in 30 cases and anterolateral dislocation in 5 ones. The time from injury to operation was (17.9±9.9) months. All patients were treated with three-in-one surgery. The elbow flexion and extension, forearm rotation and The Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) elbow score were measured and compared in all patients at 12 months after operation. Their complications were also recorded.Results:All children were followed up for 12 months. The osteotomy ends of the ulna achieved bony union 1.5 to 4.0 months after operation. The elbow extension (-1.0°±5.9°) and flexion (128.5°±4.9°) at 12 months after operation were significantly improved compared with those before operation (-9.3°±18.0° and 108.4°±17.3°) ( P<0.05). The forearm pronation (61.5°±19.4°) at 12 months after operation was significantly limited compared with that before operation (72.7°±22.4°) ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the forearm supination (86.7°±4.5°) at 12 months after operation and that before operation (81.0°±17.4°) ( P>0.05). The HSS elbow score at 12 months after operation (93.5±5.2) was significantly higher than that (80.6±9.3) before operation ( P<0.05). The efficacy evaluated by the HSS elbow score at 12 months after operation was excellent in 21 cases, good in 12 cases, and fair in 2 cases, giving an excellent and good rate of 94.3% (33/35). Postoperative re-subluxation was observed in one patient. Conclusion:Open exploration, ulnar osteotomy and annular ligament reduction are a safe and effective three-in-one surgery for chronic Monteggia fracture in children, because it may lead to significantly improved elbow flexion and extension after operation, though the forearm pronation may be limited.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of composite pin-rod external fixation in the treatment of open tibial fractures in children.Methods:The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed of the 21 pediatric patients with open tibial fracture who had been treated at Department of Pediatric Orthopeadics, Tianjin University by composite pin-rod external fixation from January 2019 to December 2021. There were 15 boys and 6 girls, and 9 left sides and 12 right sides. The age at the time of operation was (8.6±4.1) months. According to the Gustilo-Anderson classification, there were 3 cases of type Ⅰ, 12 cases of type Ⅱ, 3 cases of type ⅢA, 1 case of type ⅢB, and 2 cases of type ⅢC. Twenty cases had a concomitant fibular fracture, 3 cases multiple injuries, and 3 cases a segmental fracture. All the operations were performed at the emergency department. After debridement, the fractures were reduced and immobilized with a triangle external fixation of composite pin-rod system. In the patients whose conditions permitted, the wounds were closed at one stage, and no other external fixation was added after operation. Wound healing, fracture healing, frame time, knee and ankle functional results and complications were evaluated.Results:All patients were followed up for (20.7±15.8) months. Primary wound closure was achieved in 18 cases; the wound was covered by vacuum sealing drainage after debridement and reverse skin removal in the other 3 cases, of which 2 healed smoothly, and 1 was complicated with superficial infection of Gustilo type ⅢC treated eventually by an anterolateral thigh flap. Fractures healed satisfactorily in 20 cases, with a frame time of (4.5±1.7) months. At the last follow-up, there was no significant difference in the range of motion of the knee and ankle joints on the affected side compared with the uninjured side ( P>0.05). According to the Johner-Wruhs evaluation criteria, the functional recovery was excellent in 16 cases and good in 4 cases. Fracture nonunion happened in one child after skin flap operation, but fracture occurred again after reoperation for fracture, yielding a poor Johner-Wruhs evaluation. Needle tract infection was found in 9 cases but responded to therapy with no other complications. Conclusions:In the treatment of open tibial fractures in children, the composite pin-rod external fixation may lead to satisfactory clinical outcomes. It is easy in operation, provides stable fixation, and allows early rehabilitation after surgery. It can be used as a terminal treatment for wounds that can be closed at one stage.