The Outcome of Fixing Distal Femur Periprosthetic Fracture around Total Knee Replacement using a Locking Plate Non-Contact Bridging (NCB)

@#Introduction: Surgical fixation of peri-prosthetic distal femur fractures around knee replacements poses a challenge, especially in frail patients, with variable outcomes reported in the literature. This study looks at the outcomes of a consecutive series of patients presenting with such fractures and treated by using a locking plate fixation. Materials and methods: A total of 21 consecutive patients who were admitted to our trauma unit over 31 months and underwent fixation with the Non-Contact Polyaxial Locking plate system were retrospectively identified and their acute treatment with follow-up outcomes were analysed. Results: The mean age was 81 years and 71% were in ASA grades 3 and 4. Fracture morphologies were classified as per the Su classification, yielding 8 (38%) classified as Su one, 4 (19%) as Su two, and 9 (43%) as Su type three. Postoperatively, 2 patients (9.5%) died due to hospital-acquired pneumonia, and another 2 patients (9.5%) developed wound infections necessitating further return to theatre. Additionally, 2 (9.5%) patients had distal femoral replacements due to non-union. Mean discharge time was 28 days with 12 patients (55% of patients) starting protected weight-bearing six weeks after surgery. Conclusion: The incidence of morbidity, mortality was significant and re-operation was required in patients treated as described, and these were partly attributed to the patient’s average age and the pre-existing comorbidities. Significant variations were noted in the time to discharge, rehabilitation, and time to achieve fracture union. However, the majority of fractures did eventually unite. Patients with comminuted fractures and insufficient bone stock are more likely to progress to non-union and end up requiring revision knee arthroplasty.

Fixação biológica das fraturas da tíbia pela técnica de placa em ponte: uma opção de tratamento / Biological fixation of the tibial fractures using the bridging plate technique: an option of treatment

Introdução: Avaliar 12 casos de fratura da tíbia, tratados pela técnica de placa em ponte pelo acesso ântero-lateral da perna. Metodologia: Foram avaliados sete pacientes do sexo masculino e cinco do sexo feminino. A idade média dos pacientes foi de 33,6 anos. Os pacientes foram avaliados clínica e radiologicamente com 14, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 180, 360 e 720 dias de pós-operatório. Resultados: Segundo a classificação AO, os grupos A, B e C ficaram igualmente representados com quatro fraturas em cada grupo; o terço médio foi a localização predominante. Os acidentes motociclísticos causaram cinco fraturas e quatro fraturas eram abertas. A liberação para carga parcial ocorreu em quatro semanas para três pacientes, e em seis semanas para os demais. A carga total foi liberada em seis semanas para um paciente, oito semanas para seis pacientes e 12 semanas para os cinco pacientes restantes. A consolidação ocorreu 12 semanas para sete pacientes, e para os restantes ocorreu em 16 semanas. Conclusão: A técnica proposta pelos autores apresentou resultados semelhantes aos encontrados na literatura com outras técnicas, colocando-se como uma forma alternativa de tratamento e de fácil aplicabilidade (AU)

Introduction: To assess 12 cases of fractures of the tibia treated using the bridging plate technique for the antero-lateral access of the leg. Methodology: seven male and five female patients were assessed. The average age was 33,6 years. The patients were assessed by radiological and clinical exam with 14, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 180, 360 and 720 days after the surgery. Results: According to AO classification, the groups A, B and C was equally represented with four fractures in each group, the middle third was the predominant localization. The motorcycle accidents caused five fractures and four of them were open. The partial load release occurred in four weeks to three patients and in six weeks to the rest. The total load was released in six weeks for one patient, eight weeks for six and 12 weeks for the five remaining patients. The consolidation occurred in 12 weeks for seven patients, and for the remaining ones it occurred in 16 weeks. Conclusion: The technique proposed by the authors presented similar results to the ones found in the literature with other techniques and for that reason it revealed as an alternative form of treatment and of easy applicability (AU)

The Treatment of Infected Non-union of Long Bones with Plate and Screws

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of internal fixation with plate in treating infected nonunion of long bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 1993 to February 2004, ten patients who underwent internal fixation with plate and cancellous bone graft on account of infected nonunion of long bone were retrospectively examined. The medical treatment were composed of thorough and adequate debridement of necrotic tissue, irrigation and plate fixation. Two patients were operated on with bridging plate method. Autologous cancellous bone graft was performed in 6 patients. In 2 cases, it was performed 4 weeks after internal fixation. RESULTS: In 9 patients, radiographic union appeared on the average of 6.8months and infections were cured before union occurred. CONCLUSION: Internal fixation with plate is a useful method for the solid fixation in the treatment of infected nonunion. The general concern was that the inserted hardware worsened the infection, which was overcomed with the operative techniques as bridging plate, debridement and cancellous bone graft.