Upper Extremity Replantation for Patients with Major Amputation Injury: Follow-up Results of 11 Patients / 대한혈관외과학회지

PURPOSE: To report follow-up data on upper extremity (UE) macroreplantation in patients with traumatic amputation injuries. METHODS: Between 1996 and 2003, 11 patients underwent UE macroreplantation at a single institution. All patients had an open fracture (n=9; upper arm, 5; forearm, 4) or an open dislocation of the elbow (n=2), combined with neurovascular and soft tissue transection injuries. The replantation procedures were performed on an emergency basis by a multi-departmental team. The mean warm ischemic time was 328 minutes (range, 165 to 480 minutes). Functional recovery of the replanted UE was evaluated with Chen's classification system, and patient satisfaction was determined using Russell's questionnaire; periodic examinations were conducted over a minimum follow-up period of 2 years. RESULTS: Early complications consisted of 2 arterial thromboses, 1 soft tissue infection resulting in sepsis, and 1 episode of acute renal failure; UE reamputation was required in 2 patients. As a result, limb salvage was achieved in 82% of patients (9/11). A functional extremity, defined as grades I and II using Chen's criteria, was preserved in 33.3% of patients with successfully replanted limbs. Despite the objectively poor rate of function preservation, 89% of patients who had successful replantation procedures were satisfied with the results. CONCLUSION: Even though the functional recovery rate was low, UE macroreplantation resulted in acceptable limb salvage rates and good patient satisfaction.

Fixation Failure of LCP during the Treatment of Proximal Humerus Fractures

PURPOSE: To evaluate the causative factors in the catastrophic failure of LCP in the proximal humerus fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six patients (6 cases) were collected between October 2003 and July 2005. The mean age was 55.6 years (range: 38~70). The cause of injury was road traffic accident in four, fall down in one and slip down in one. According to the Neer classification, four were 2 part fractures, each one in 3 part fracture and 4 part fracture. RESULTS: Fixation failure occurred due to back-out of the plate and screw in five and plate breakage in one. Analysis of the preoperative radiographs revealed medial cortical defect in all and no bone graft and tension band wiring in the greater tuberosity fragment were carried out. Postoperative radiographs showed the anatomical reduction in three and non-anatomical in three. CONCLUSION: Non-anatomical reduction, insufficient medial bony buttress, inadequate screw length to the head and the neglect for the greater tuberosity fragment were the contributing factors to the failure of LCP. Knowledge of these factors will enable the surgeon to avoid failure of the LCP. Augmentation fixation and bone graft procedures with careful preoperative planning are necessary for successful fixation of LCP.