Percutaneous elevation of depressed lunate fossa: A surgical technique / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Die-punch fractures or impaction fractures of distal radius articular surface are difficult to treat and hard to achieve satisfactory reduction. We present a unique, percutaneous and minimally invasive technique to elevate the depressed lunate fossa and maintain the reduction of the elevated fragment with no need of grafting in such fractures. This technique is simple, reproducible and can be executed with simple instrumentations. We think it deserves a variety of implications in the treatment of distal radius fractures.

Rupture of the triceps tendon - A case series / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Triceps rupture is the least common among all tendon injuries. The usual mechanism of injury is a fall on an outstretched hand, although direct contact injuries have also been reported to cause this injury. The diagnosis of acute triceps tendon rupture may be missed, which can result in prolonged disability and delayed operative management. We presented three cases of acute triceps tendon rupture each at different site showing the spectrum of injury to the muscle and mechanism of injury and management were also discussed.

Triple plating of tibia in a complex bicondylar tibial plateau fracture / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

High-energy tibial plateau fracture poses a significant challenge and difficulty for orthopaedic surgeons. Fracture of tibial plateau involves major weight bearing joint and may alter knee kinematics. Anatomic reconstruction of the proximal tibial articular surfaces, restoration of the limb axis (limb alignment) and stable fixation permitting early joint motion are the goals of the treatment. In cases of complex bicondylar tibial plateau fractures, isolated lateral plating is frequently associated with varus malalignment and better results have been obtained with bilateral plating through dual incisions. However sometimes a complex type of bicondylar tibial plateau fractures is encountered in which medial plateau has a biplaner fracture in posterior coronal plane as well as sagittal plane. In such fractures it is imperative to fix the medial plateau with buttressing in both planes. One such fracture pattern of the proximal tibia managed by triple plating through dual posteromedial and anterolateral incisions is discussed in this case report with emphasis on mechanisms of this type of injury, surgical approach and management.

Scapulothoracic and scapholunate dissociation in the ipsilateral upper limb of a trauma victim / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Scapulothoracic dissociation is a rare and complex injury pattern with varied presentation. Here we describe a case of a 32-year-old male who presented with scapulothoracic dissociation associated with brachial plexus injury, along with scapholunate dissociation. We also propose an injury mechanism that might link the two injury patterns, suggesting that the association might be more than by chance. The patient was managed according to established trauma care and resuscitation protocols followed by open reduction and internal fixation of the clavicle fracture, and fixation of scapholunate dissociation and had a successful outcome at follow-up.

First rib fractures: not always a hallmark of severe trauma---a report of three cases / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

According to medical literature, fracture of the first rib is quite rare and the bilateral condition is especially rare. This type of fracture is usually associated with severe intrathoracic trauma and other bony or neurovascular injuries, thus can be considered as a harbinger of major trauma. However here we present three cases of low velocity first rib fractures without any major trauma or multisystem injuries. All the three patients were treated conservatively and did well on simple analgesics and rest and had no early or late complications. It can be seen that not all the first rib fractures are associated with major trauma or multisystem injuries. There is a variant of first rib fracture with low velocity injuries which is not associated with any major complications in contrast to majority of first rib fractures associated with high velocity injuries. Causative factor of such injuries may be violent muscular contraction of scalenus anterior or serratus anterior, but not direct trauma.

Tubercular arthritis of the elbow joint following olecranon fracture fixation and the role of TGF-beta in its pathogenesis / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Tuberculosis (TB) occurring after a closed bone fracture in the patient with no history of TB and no evidence of TB infection at the time of initial fracture is a rare entity. We report one such case of a 48-year-old female, who presented in the emergency department with an olecranon fracture which was open reduced and internally fixed with tension band wiring. Patient presented in the outpatient department with serosanguineous discharge at 3 weeks after surgery. The discharge was sent for culture and sensitivity tests, and the patient was managed by antibiotics and daily dressings. There was wound dehiscence and the underlying implant was exposed, which was removed at 12 weeks after surgery. Repeat debridements and dressings continued for 6 months, but the discharge from the wound site continued. X-rays of the elbow performed at 6 months raised the suspicion of TB, which was confirmed by Ziel-Neelsen staining and histopathological examination of the debrided tissue. Following the confirmation, patient was put on antitubercular drugs. The patient responded to antitubercular drug therapy (ATT), the purulent discharge from the wound ceased, and eventually the wound healed after 2 months of starting ATT.

Complete palmer lunate enucleation---is proximal row carpectomy or wrist arthrodesis the only choice? / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Perilunate dislocations are rare injuries of the wrist and complete dislocation of the lunate is also rare. There is controversy in literature regarding the optimal management of such injuries. Complete lunate enucleation is associated with high rate of osteonecrosis of lunate thus wrist arthrodesis or proximal row carpectomy has been advocated as primary treatment for such injuries. We report a case of transradial styloid complete palmar lunate enucleation in a 25-year-old male patient who sustained injury to the left wrist due to fall on outstretched hand. Carpal row salvage surgery initially by closed reduction and wrist distractor application followed by open reduction and internal fixation with K-wires along with ligamentous repair resulted in restoration of normal wrist anatomy and good functional outcome. As many of these injuries are missed on initial presentation and outcome is poor for missed injuries, prompt diagnosis and early surgical management to restore vascularity of lunate is recommended.

Bilateral traumatic proximal humerus fractures managed by open reduction and internal fixation with locked plates / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Fractures of the proximal humerus are uncommon in young patients. Although bilateral fracture of proximal humerus itself is rare, association with epilepsy and electrocution is frequent. Only one case of traumatic bilateral proximal humerus fracture has been reported in the literature. We report a rare case of bilateral traumatic displaced proximal humerus fractures in a 40 years old male patient, which was treated by means of open reduction and internal fixation with proximal humerus locked pates on both sides and obtained a good functional outcome.

Neglected foreign body in contralateral limb in a traumatic transfemoral amputee---radiographs can be misleading / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Missed or neglected foreign bodies are not infrequent in surgical practice. This case report highlights the fact that thorough clinical examination and detailed evaluation of trauma patients are very necessary so that any associated injuries or foreign bodies will not be missed and any unforeseen clinical or medico-legal complications can be prevented. We present a case of a 35-year- old male patient who had traumatic transfemoral amputation of the right lower limb with a clean laceration (size 2 cm multiply 1 cm) over the medial aspect of the left thigh. Radiographs suggested a single radioopaque foreign body which proved misleading, as during surgical removal multiple radiolucent and radiopaque foreign bodies were discovered. Postoperative ultrasound was performed and showed no retained foreign bodies. A secondary closure of the right thigh amputation was done and patient was discharged. At the last follow-up, 9 months after injury, the patient had no complaints, and both the amputation stump and the wound over the left thigh were healthy. Thus in the cases of retained foreign bodies, in addition to thorough clinical examination and radiography, ultrasonograpy should be supplemented. And if required, use of CT scan as well as MRI should be also considered.