Treatment of pediatric open femoral fractures with external fixator versus flexible intramedullary nails

In children, inappropriate treatment of open femoral fractures may induce several complications. A few studies have compared the external fixator with flexible intramedullary nails in high-grade open femoral fractures of children. The present study aims at comparing results of these two treatment methods in open femoral fractures. In this descriptive analytical study, 27 patients with open femoral fractures, who were treated using either the external fixator [n=14] or TEN nails [n=13] method from 2006-2011, were studied. Some patients were treated with a combination method of TEN and pin. The results were evaluated considering infection, union, malunion, and refracture and the patients were followed up for two years. Mean time required for fracture union was 3.89 [range: 2-5.8] and 3.61 [range: 2-5.6] months for the external fixator and TEN groups, respectively. The difference was not statistically significant and there was not any significant difference between the two groups considering infection of the fractured area. Osteomyelitis was not observed in any group. There was an infection surrounding the external fixator pin in 4 cases [28.5%] and so this required changing the location of the pin. In the TEN group, one case [7.6%] of painful bursitis was observed at the entry point of TEN and so the pin was removed earlier than usual. There were two cases [14.2%] of femoral refracture in the external fixator group. Malunion requiring correction was not observed in any of the groups. There were no complications observed in five patients treated with a combined method of pin and flexible intramedullary nails. Both external fixator and intramedullary nail methods are effective ways in treating high grade open femoral fractures in children and final treatment results are similar. Combining pins and flexible intramedullary nails is effective in developing more stability and is not associated with more complications

Skeletal tuberculosis presenting as a small cystic lesion in the medial femoral condyle

Skeletal tuberculosis is an unusual disease involving bone and joints and it may have different manifestations. This report introduces a 25-year-old woman suffering from chronic knee pain without any response to conservative treatments for one year. X-ray was normal but CT-scan and MRI indicated a small lesion in medial condyle of the femur. The patient underwent percutaneous CT-guided biopsy. Following an evaluation of the obtained sample, tuberculous osteomyelitis was detected. After resection of the femoral mass and starting anti TB medical treatment, symptoms dramatically eliminated

Evaluation of molecular genetic variation associated with deep venous thrombosis in lower limb fractures in traumatic patients.

Background: Genetic variation in multiple genes associated with hemostasis and thrombosis is well documented to impact the rates of future venous thromboembolism; in addition, trauma and orthopedic surgery in lower limb and immobilization are important factors in increasing the incidence of thrombosis. Gene mutation can be predisposing factor for thrombosis in traumatic patients under anti-coagulant agent prophylaxis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the different gene mutations in these patients. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, the sample consisted of 53 patients with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and 32 traumatic patients without thrombosis as the control group. Two groups matched together according to sex, age, weight, and medications. DNA analysis for mutation of multivariate of genes in thrombosis was studied. Results: Regarding gene variations, there was statistically significant difference only in Prothrombin (Factor II, G20210A) between the patients with thrombosis and control group (P = 0.01). But, there was no difference between two groups considering other gene mutations. Mutation of Prothrombin gene (G20210A) was a predictive factor for thrombosis with odds ratio of 1.1 (CI 0.3-1.9). Conclusion: According to the outcomes resulted from this study, genetic mutation in Prothrombin (Factor II [G20210A]) is one of the most important genetic variations involved in traumatic patients with DVT despite prophylaxis. Genetic mutation in Prothrombin appears to be predisposing factor for thrombosis associated with trauma.