Buttress plate fixation of coronoid process fractures via a medial approach / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

PURPOSE@#To assess the clinical and radiographic outcomes of coronoid process fractures surgically managed with buttress plate fixation via a medial approach.@*METHODS@#A retrospective review of all coronoid fractures surgically fixed in our institution using a buttress plate technique via a medial approach between June 2012 and April 2015 by the senior author was performed. These fractures were all sizeable fractures contributing to persistent elbow instability in terrible triad or varus posteromedial rotatory instability injury patterns. A prospective telephone questionnaire was conducted to assess patient outcomes using the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score and Mayo hlbow performance score (MEPS).@*RESULTS@#Twelve patients were included in the study, comprising 10 males and 2 females with an average age of 39 years (range, 19-72 years). Mean follow-up was 16 months (range, 4-18 months). The average time to radiographic union was 4 months (range, 3-7 months). Range of motion measurements at final follow-up were obtained in 11 out of 12 patients, with one patient defaulting follow-up. All 11 patients displayed a functional elbow range of motion of at least 30°-130°, with an average arc of motion of 130° (range, 110° -140°), mean elbow flexion of 134° (range, 110° -140°) and mean flexion contracture of 3° (range, 0° -20°). The mean DASH score was 16 (range, 2.5-43.8) and the mean MEPS was 75 (range, 65-100). Complications observed included one patient with a superficial wound infection which resolved with a course of oral antibiotics and one patient with radiographic evidence of heterotopic ossification which was conservatively managed. No residual elbow instability was observed and no reoperations were performed.@*CONCLUSION@#Buttress plate fixation via a medial approach of coronoid process fractures that contribute to persistent elbow instability represents a reliable method of treatment that produces satisfactory and predictable outcomes.

Risk Factors for Failure of Nonoperative Treatment for Unilateral Cervical Facet Fractures

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine what percentage of patients who underwent nonoperative management of unilateral non-displaced or minimally displaced facet fractures progressed radiographically and to determine what percentage of patients required surgical intervention and to identify risk factors for failure of conservative management. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: According to most commonly used classification systems, unilateral, non-and minimally displaced facet fractures are be amendable to nonoperative management. METHODS: A retrospective review of the Trauma Registry of a Level I trauma center was performed to identify all patients diagnosed with a non- or minimally displaced unilateral facet fracture which was managed nonoperatively. Several demographic variables and clinical outcomes were recorded. Using computed tomography scanning and plain radiographs, fracture pattern, listhesis, displacement, angle and percentage of the facet that included the fracture were determined. Radiographic progression was defined as the occurrence of listhesis of more than 10% of the anterior-posterior dimensions of the inferior vertebral body during radiographic follow-up. Failure of conservative management was defined as a patient requiring surgical intervention after initially being managed nonoperatively. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients were included. Fifteen patients (20%) progressed radiographically. However, only 2 developed radicular symptoms and none developed myelopathy or other catastrophic cord related symptoms. Seven patients (9%) underwent surgery. Indications for surgery included significant radiographic progression and/or radicular symptoms. Risk factors for failure of conservative management included presence of radiculopathy at the time of presentation, a higher body mass index, increased Injury Severity Score, greater initial fracture displacement and more than 2 mm of listhesis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with non-displaced or minimally displaced facet fractures who do not have neurological symptoms at the time of presentation can safely be managed conservatively with careful observation and follow-up.

Delayed Diagnosed Stage 1, 2 Distractive Flexion Injury of the Cervical Spine

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. PURPOSE: To examine the clinical and radiologic characteristics of patients with stage 1 and 2 distractive flexion injury according to Allen's classification and who were not diagnosed immediately after injury, and to analyze the outcomes of surgical treatments. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: For the diagnosis of stage 1 and 2 distractive flexion injury in the lower cervical spine, attention should be paid when performing radiographs as well as when interpreting the radiographs. METHODS: The study was conducted on 10 patients (group 1) with stage 1 or 2 distractive flexion injury and who were not diagnosed immediately after injury from January 2003 to January 2009. The control group (group 2), 16 distractive flexion injury patients who were diagnosed immediately were selected. The simple radiographs, the degree of soft tissue swelling and the magnetic resonance imaging findings of the two groups were compared, and the clinical and radiologic results were examined. RESULTS: The degree of the prevertebral soft tissue swelling of group 1 was lower in group 1, and it was statistically significant (p = 0.046). The fusion was achieved in all cases (100%) in group 1, however, re-displacement as well as the loss of reduction occurred in one case, despite of delayed fusion and good clinical result. In group 2, bone fusion was achieved in 15 cases of 16 cases (94%). CONCLUSIONS: For the diagnosis of stage 1 and 2 distractive flexion injury in the lower cervical spine, it is desirable to perform computed tomography if diagnosis is not clear. Even if the diagnosis is delayed, stage 1 and 2 distractive flexion injury could be readily reduced by traction, and the treatment outcomes are considered to be comparable to those of the patients diagnosed immediately after injury.

Availability of Anterior Cervical Plating in Distractive Flexion Injury in Lower Cervical Spine: Radiologic Aspects / 대한척추외과학회지

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective clinical and radiological analysis. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the availability of anterior cervical plating in the treatment of distractive-flexion injuries of the lower cervical spine. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Surgical approaches for distractive-flexion injuries of the lower cervical spine have included the anterior approach, the posterior approach, and the combined anterior and posterior approach. However, which approach is the most useful remains a controversial issue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the outcomes of 30 patients, who were followed-up for an average of 16 months (range, 12-43 months) after undergoing fusions with anterior cervical plating for distractive-flexion injuries of the lower cervical spine from July 1995 to July 2004. The average age of these patients was 52.9 years (range 24-77 years) and male-to-female ratio was 26:4. Group A consisted of 19 cases that were composed of unilateral dislocations and Group B consisted of 11 cases that were composed of bilateral dislocations based on Allen s classification. Group A1 (9 cases) and B1 (8 cases) were composed of cases that had fractures on the superior end plates or facet joints of the lower cervical spine in each group. Group A2 (10 cases) and B2 (3 cases) were composed of cases without fractures in each group. Neurologic symptoms were evaluated by the Frankel classification; and the angle of lordosis, disc height, and duration of bony union were analyzed postoperatively and with the last follow-up roentgenograms. RESULTS: Clinically, 22 (73%) patients had neurologic deficits, which were composed of 9 (41%) cases of complete injury, 7 (32%) cases of incomplete injury, and 6 (27%) cases of nerve root injury. The nerve root injuries recovered in all cases and the incomplete injuries had an average 1.7 grade recovery by the Frankel classification. Radiologically, the loss of lordosis was 2.2+/-1.7degrees in group A, 3.1+/-2.8degrees in group B (p=0.359), 3.0+/-1.6degrees in group A1, 1.5+/-1.5degrees in group A2 p=0.048), 3.5+/-3.1degrees in group B1, and 2.1+/-1.7degrees in group B2. Loss of disc height was 1.7+/-1.1 mm in group A, 2.2+/-0.9 mm in group B( p=0.201), 2.2+/-0.9 mm in group A1, 1.2+/-1.0 mm in group A2 (p=0.046), 2.5+/-0.6 mm in group B1, and 1.2+/-1.1 mm in group B2. The duration for bony union was 12.9+/-2.8 weeks in group A, 14.1+/-2.7 weeks in group B (p=0.044), 13.9+/-2.1 weeks in group A1, 11.9+/-3.0 weeks in group A2 (p=0.046), 14.4+/-2.9 weeks in group B1, and 13.3+/-2.3 weeks in group B2. There was no graft displacement, nonunion or metal failure. CONCLUSION: Anterior cervical plating was an effective treatment modality for distractive-flexion injuries of the lower cervical spine. and more firm method was necessary to surgical treatment in case of fractures on superior end plate or facet joint.