Complicaciones en fracturas de platillos tibiales de alta energía / Complications in high energy tibial plateau fractures

El enfrentamiento y el manejo de las fracturas de platillos tibiales de alta energía representan un desafío para todo cirujano. El compromiso de partes blandas y la conminución articular secundaria a la energía involucrada determinan una mayor tasa de complicaciones y morbilidad. OBJETIVOS: Evaluar la tasa de complicaciones en fracturas de platillos tibiales de alta energía. MATERIALES Y MÉTODO: Estudio clínico imagenológico retrospectivo de fracturas de platillo tibial Schatzker V y VI con mecanismo de alta energía, tratadas con fijador externo y osteosíntesis diferida, entre 2007-2013. Análisis estadístico usando STATA 12.0. RESULTADOS: Cincuenta y dos fracturas se presentaron durante el periodo de estudio, 39 de ellas fueron seleccionadas considerando los criterios de inclusión. Promedio edad 42,4 años, seguimiento 41,8 meses. Complicaciones: neuropraxia 5%, infección Schatzker V (20%) 16,2%, VI (80%) 12,1% (p=0,759). Sin asociación entre infección y edad (p=0,6056), mecanismo involucrado (p=0,131), tiempo de prefijador externo (p=0,0556), ni tiempo en el uso de fijador externo (p=0,53). DISCUSIÓN: Las fracturas de platillos tibiales secundarias a traumatismos de alta energía se asocian a un importante compromiso de partes blandas. La reducción y osteosíntesis inmediata determina altas tasas de complicaciones; utilizar fijador externo transitorio las disminuiría. El abordaje anterior en línea media ha mostrado elevadas complicaciones, mientras que el uso de doble abordaje regularía esta situación. CONCLUSIÓN: Al afrontar el tratamiento de las fracturas de platillos tibiales de alta energía debemos considerar el uso de fijador externo transitorio para un adecuado control de la fractura y de las partes blandas para la cirugía definitiva.

The approach and management of high energy tibial plateau fractures is a challenge for every surgeon. Soft tissue injuries and joint comminution due to the energy involved are associated with a higher rate of complications and morbidity. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the rate of complications in high energy tibial plateau fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective imaging-clinical study of Schatzker type V and IV high-energy tibial plateau fractures, treated with an external fixation and delayed osteosynthesis, was conducted between 2007 and 2013. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA 12.0. RESULTS: A total of 52 fractures were treated during the study period, of which 39 met the criteria for selection. The mean age of the patients was 42.4 years, with a follow-up time of 41.8 months. The complications include, neuropraxia, 5%, Schatzker V infection (20%), 16.2%, and Vl (80%), 12.1% (P=.759). There was no relationship between infection and age (P=.6056), mechanism involved (P=.131), time between accidents and the installation of an external fixator (P=.0556), or the time used for external fixation (P=.53). DISCUSSION: High-energy tibial plateau fractures are associated with significant soft tissue injuries. Immediate reduction and osteosynthesis are determining factors for high rates of complications, while using transient external fixation should decrease them. A midline anterior approach has shown increased complications, while a double approach could improve this situation. CONCLUSION: The approach to high energy tibial plateau fractures must consider the use of a temporary external fixation for an adequate control of the fracture and the soft tissue for a definitive surgical treatment.

Enfermedad invasora por Streptococcus pyogenes como coinfección en un paciente con influenza A H1N1 / Invasive disease due to Streptococcus pyogenes in a patient with A H1N1 influenza infection. Report of one case

Bacterial superinfection is a known complication among patients affected by viral respiratory tract infections. Streptococcus pyogenes, a major bacterial agent involved in acute tonsillopharyngitis, skin and soft tissue infections, was reported as a co-infecting microorganism during the 2009 A H1N1 influenza pandemic. We report a 65-year-old male patient who evolved with multifocal pneumonia and multiple organ failure with a fatal outcome. Influenza A H1N1 was detected by a polymerase chain reaction-based technique from a tracheal aspirate sample. S. pyogenes was identified by a rapid test from a nasopharyngeal sample and isolated afterwards from a positive blood culture.