Clinical effects of modified open elbow arthrolysis in the treatment of post-traumatic elbow stiffness / 国际外科学杂志

Objective:To study the clinical efficacy of modified open elbow arthrolysis in the treatment of traumatic elbow stiffness.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 120 patients who underwent modified open elbow arthrolysis in Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from January 2018 to December 2020. The age of the included patients was (37.7±12.4) years (ranged 18-64 years), including 54 males and 66 females. The medical records were reviewed, the range of motion (ROM) and functional status of the patients before operation and at the last follow-up were compared including visual analogue scale (VAS), Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS), Disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score. Complications and secondary operations were also recorded. Measurement data with normal distribution were presented as mean ± standard deviation( ± s) and comparison between groups was conducted using the t-test; Measurement data of skewed distribution were expressed as M ( Q1, Q3), and Rank-sum test was used for inter-group comparison. Results:The preoperative extension of 120 patients was 43.6° (33.8°, 60.1°), the flexion was 78.7° (59.8°, 98.1°), and the flexion-extension ROM was 25.6° (0.0°, 54.5°); the preoperative pronation was 51.8° (33.0°, 67.0°), the supination was 85.1° (65.7°, 90.0°), and the rotation ROM was 136.9° (99.1°, 157.5°). Postoperative extension was 14.2° (7.0°, 24.8°), flexion was 129.5° (120.0°, 138.1°), flexion-extension ROM was 115.5° (94.4°, 127.3°); postoperative pronation was 65.0° (47.1°, 75.0°), the supination was 88.3° (78.6°, 90.0°), and the rotation ROM was 151.9° (131.7°, 163.4°). Postoperative extension, flexion, flexion-extension ROM, pronation, supination, and rotation ROM were all higher than those before operation, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.001). The VAS of 120 patients was 1.0 (0.0, 3.0) scores before operation and 0.0 (0.0, 1.0) scores after operation. The MEPS was 60.0 (50.0, 75.0) scores before operation and 100.0 (85.0, 100.0) scores after operation. The preoperative DASH was 37.5 (20.1, 51.3) scores, and the postoperative DASH was 7.9 (3.3, 13.3) scores. The postoperative VAS, MEPS, and DASH were significantly improved compared with those before operation, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.001). Residual ulnar nerve symptoms occurred in 18 cases, recurrence of heterotopic ossification in 42 cases, and hematoma in 3 cases. Conclusions:Modified open elbow arthrolysis is a safe and effective surgical method for the treatment of traumatic elbow stiffness. It can significantly improve the function of the patient, reduce the occurrence of elbow instability, avoid the use of external fixators, and reduce the cost of the patient.

TiRobot navigation for hinged external fixation in elbow arthrolysis / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of TiRobot navigation for hinged external fixation in elbow arthrolysis.Methods:The 11 patients were retrospectively analyzed who had been treated by elbow arthrolysis at Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital using TiRobot navigation for hinged external fixation. There were 9 males and 2 females with a mean age of 39.3 years (from 21 to 66 years). Their elbow range of motion (ROM) was compared between preoperation and the final follow-up. Their visual analogue scale (VAS) and Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) and complications were documented at the final follow-up.Results:The rotation axis of the elbow joint was positioned with the aid of intraoperative robot navigation in 11 patients.The deviation of entry point averaged 0.21 mm (from 0.05 to 0.41 mm) and the deviation of exit point 0.23 mm (from 0.06 to 0.38 mm). The follow-up time for the 11 patients averaged 25.8 months (from 16 to 32 months). Their elbow flexion and extension was 133.0° (134.9°, 138.7°) and rotation 164.6° ±17.5° at the final follow-up, significantly improved compared with their preoperative values [0.8°(0°, 33.7°) and 122.9°±49.0°] ( P<0.05). Their VAS averaged 0.2 (from 0 to 1) and MEPS 96.8 (from 85 to 100) at the final follow-up, giving 9 excellent and 2 good cases. There was no case of radial nerve injury, pin instability, pin breakage, pin infection or peri-pin fracture. Conclusion:When TiRobot navigation is used for hinged external fixation in elbow arthrolysis, the axis of rotation can be accurately located, leading to satisfactory functional outcomes for the patients.

Locational distribution characteristics and risk factors of heterotopic ossification following traumatic elbow stiffness / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective:To study the locational distribution characteristics of the heterotopic ossification (HO) following traumatic elbow stiffness and the risk factors for HO development at different locations.Methods:Consecutively included according to our inclusion criteria in the present study were the patients who had been admitted to Department of Orthopaedic Trauma, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from January 2018 to December 2018 for elbow release due to traumatic elbow stiffness but developed postoperative HO. Their baseline data and CT data were collected and processed using Mimics 20.0. The HO distribution for each patient was characterized at the anteromedial, anterolateral, posteromedial, posterolateral, posterior, medial, lateral, and proximal radioulnar locations. The patient's original injury was categorized into 5 types: distal humerus fracture, olecranon fracture, radial head fracture, coronoid fracture, and elbow dislocation. After the univariate analysis with the HO occurrence at a specific location as the dependent variable and the original injury and baseline data as the independent variables, the factors with P value less than 0.1 were included in the logistic regression analysis to determine the risk factors for HO at each location.Results:A total of 91 patients were included in this study. Of them, 88 had posteromedial HO (96.7%, 88/91), 62 posterior HO (68.1%, 62/91), 60 posterolateral HO (65.9%, 60/91), 41 anteromedial HO (45.1%, 41/91), 26 anterolateral HO (28.6%, 26/91), 13 proximal radioulnar HO (14.3%, 13/91), 8 lateral HO (8.8%, 8/91), and 7 medial HO (7.7%, 7/91). Logistic regression analysis showed that presence of ulnar nerve symptoms ( OR=4.354, P=0.017) and presence of original elbow dislocation ( OR=2.927, P=0.042) were the independent risk factors for the anteromedial HO development and that presence of original olecranon fracture ( OR=0.277, P=0.023) was the protective factor for the anteromedial HO development. Presence of original radial head fracture was the independent risk factor for the anterolateral HO development ( OR=2.891, P=0.033) and the posterolateral HO development ( OR=3.123, P=0.043). Conclusions:HO development in patients with post-traumatic elbow stiffness is closely related to their original injury. Posteromedial HO may develop in almost all the patients. Patients with ulnar nerve symptoms and original elbow dislocation are more prone to anteromedial HO development, but patients with original olecranon fracture are less likely to develop anteromedial HO. Patients with original radial head fracture are more likely to develop anterolateral and posterolateral HO.

Effect of combined administration of intravenous and topical tranexamic acid on perioperative blood loss in elbow arthrolysis / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective:To explore the effect of combined administration of intravenous and topical tranexamic acid on perioperative blood loss in elbow arthrolysis.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted of 31 patients who had undergone elbow arthrolysis due to elbow stiffness from April 2019 to November 2020 at Department of Orthopaedic Trauma, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital. An observational group of 15 patients were subjected to combined administration of intravenous and topical tranexamic acid while a control group of 16 patients to no administration of tranexamic acid. In the observational group, 15 mg/kg of tranexamic acid was injected intravenously 5 to 10 minutes before surgery and 1.0 g of tranexamic acid was injected locally in the area of anterior and posterior joint capsules after incision was closed while drainage tubes were clamped for 2 hours before release. In the control group, there was no special operative procedure while drainage tubes were also clamped for 2 hours before release. The 2 groups were compared in terms of blood loss on day 1 and day 3 after operation, drainage volume on day 1 after operation, total drainage volume, time for indwelling drainage tube, complications, and Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) at 3 months after operation.Results:There were no statistically significant difference in preoperative general data between the 2 groups, showing they were comparable ( P>0.05).On day 1 and day 3 after operation, the blood loss was respectively (533.4±318.3) mL and (792.0±375.6) mL in the observational group, and respectively (866.4±480.5) mL and (1,403.0±636.5) mL in the control group, showing significantly differences between the 2 groups ( P<0.05). The drainage volume on day 1 after operation was (151.3±90.1) mL in the observational group and (235.0±126.1) mL in the control group, showing a significant difference between the 2 groups ( P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in total drainage volume or time for indwelling drainage tube between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). There were no such complications as thromboembolic events in either group. There was no significant difference in MEPS between the 2 groups at 3 months after operation ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Combined administration of intravenous 15 mg/kg and topical 1.0 g tranexamic acid may reduce blood loss on day 1 and day 3 after operation and drainage volume on day 1 after operation, and may not increase the risk of thromboembolic events, but cannot reduce total drainage volume or time for indwelling drainage tube. Application of tranexamic acid may not affect early elbow joint function after operation.

Open reduction and internal fixation for OTA/AO-C open and closed fractures of distal humerus / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective:To compare the clinical outcomes between OTA/AO-C open and closed fractures of the distal humerus treated by open reduction and internal fixation.Methods:The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed of the 70 patients who had been treated at Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital for OTA/AO-C fractures of the distal humerus from January 2014 to June 2017. Of them, 22 suffered from open fractures (Gustilo types Ⅰ/Ⅱ) and 48 closed fractures. There were 18 males and 4 females with an age of (42.6±13.0) years in the open group and 21 males and 27 females with an age of (42.2±17.1) years in the closed group. Analyzed were interval from injury to surgery, hospitalization time, injury energy and functional outcomes which included range of motion (ROM) in elbow flexion and extension, ROM in elbow rotation, Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), complications and rate of secondary surgery.Results:There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in age, injury energy or interval from injury to surgery ( P>0.05), but there were significantly more males in the open group than in the closed group ( P=0.011). The follow-up time for all the patients averaged 34.0 months (from 25 to 54 months). There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in hospitalization time [9.5(6.0, 13.0) d versus 8.5 (6.0, 11.0) d], ROM in flexion and extension [120.0° (100.0°, 137.8°) versus 128.5° (110.0°, 140.0°)], ROM in rotation [155.0° (151.3°, 155.0°) versus 155.0° (155.0°, 155.0°)], MEPS [95.0 (80.0, 100.0) versus 95.0 (80.0, 100.0)] or DASH [2.6 (0.63, 9.2) versus 1.7 (0.0, 8.5)] ( P>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups either in rate of secondary surgery [36.4% (8/22) versus 33.3% (16/48)], ulnar nerve symptoms [54.5% (12/22) versus 60.4% (29/48)], local irritability in the region of internal fixation [9.1% (2/22) versus 6.3% (3/48)] or elbow stiffness [13.6% (3/22) versus 10.4% (5/48)] ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Open reduction and internal fixation can lead to similar clinical outcomes in the treatment of both open (Gustilo types Ⅰ/Ⅱ) and closed distal humeral fractures of OTA/AO-C, with no significant differences in postoperative ROM, functional scores or complications.

Efficacy of total elbow arthroplasty through Diamond-Pop approach for treatment of elbow trauma or arthritis / 中华创伤杂志

The most common indications for total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) are rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and post-traumatic arthritis. However, with the rapid development of the prosthesis and surgical techniques, the indications of TEA have been expanded to post-traumatic instability, failure of internal fixation, and acute comminuted distal humeral fractures in elderly patients. The most common complications of the classic Bryan-Morrey approach are postoperative ulnar nerve symptoms and weakness of the triceps muscle. Although the triceps-sparing approach enters the elbow joint through both sides of the triceps and retains the triceps brachii, it adds the operation difficulty and there still exist problems regarding postoperative ulnar nerve symptoms, extensive subcutaneous dissection, and large amount of drainage. In September 2018, Professor O'Driscoll introduced his modified small tongue-shaped flap approach, named as Diamond-Pop approach, but it has not been reported yet in recent literatures. The authors conducted a retrospective case series study to evaluate the clinical outcomes of 20 patients with elbow trauma or arthritis treated by TEA using this approach in Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from September 2018 to September 2019.

Comparison of clinical outcomes between young and elderly patients with humeral intercondylar fracture treated by either parallel or orthogonal double plating / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective To compare the clinical outcomes between young and elderly patients with humeral intercondylar fracture treated by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with either parallel or orthogonal double-plate.Methods From January 2013 to December 2017,54 patients with humeral intercondylar fracture were treated at Department of Orthopedic Trauma,Jishuitan Hospital by ORIF with anatomical locking compression plate (LCP) (either parallel or orthogonal double-plate configuration).According to their age,the patients were divided into a young group (from 18 to 30 years old) of 29 cases with an age of 25.5 ± 3.6 years and an elderly group (≥60 years old) of 25 cases with an age of 67.1 ± 5.8 years.The 2 groups were compared in terms of perioperative data,ranges of motion (flextion,extension and rotation),numeric rating scale for pain (NRS),Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) and quick Disabilities of the Arm,Shoulder and Hand (Quick-DASH) at the last follow-up,complications and secondary surgery.Results The 2 groups were comparable because there were no significant differences in the preoperative general data except in injury energy,combined injury and gender between them (P ＞ 0.05).The young group had significantly more cases of high-energy injury and combined injuries than the elderly group (P ＜ 0.05).All patients were followed up for 33.6 ± 15.0 months (from 12 to 63 months).The total blood loss in the elderly group (643.9 ± 298.7 mL)was significantly less than that in the young group (953.9 ± 554.6 mL) (P ＜ 0.05).At the last follow-up,there were no significant differences between the 2 groups in ranges of motion,NRS or MEPS (P ＞ 0.05),but the elderly group had significantly higher Quick-DASH scores (13.9 ± 14.4 points) than the young group (5.7 ± 8.9 points) (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference in postoperative elbow stiffness or postoperative ulnar nerve symptoms betwee the 2 groups (P ＞ 0.05),but the rate of secondary surgery in the young group (37.9％,11/29) was significantly higher than that in the elderly group (4.0％,1/25)(P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions In the treatment of humeral intercondylar fractures,ORIF with LCP (either parallel or orthogonal double-plate configuration) can lead to similarly safe and effective clinical outcomes for both young and elderly patients.

Risk factors for elbow stiffness after open reduction and internal fixation for intercondylar fractures of the distal humerus / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective To explore the risk factors for elbow stiffness after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for intercondylar fractures of the distal humerus.Methods From January 2013 to May 2017,159 patients underwent ORIF for intercondylar fractures of the distal humerus with dual plating.They were 83 males and 76 females with a mean age of 42.6 years (from 14 to 79 years).They were divided into 2 groups according to their range of motion at the latest follow-up and the secondary elbow arthrolysis they had undergone or not.The stiffness group had extension-flexion and/or pronation-supination ＜ 100° and secondary elbow arthrolysis while the non-stiffness group had extension-flexion and pronation-supination ≥ 100° and no secondary elbow arthrolysis.Age,gender,fracture side,mechanism of injury,AO fracture classification,open/close fracture,additional fracture,preoperative nerve injury,time from injury to surgery,surgical approach,configuration of plating,medication for anti-heterotopic ossification and implant removal were analyzed as risk factors for elbow stiffness using Logistic regression analysis.Results The mean follow-up period for this cohort was 32.0 months (from 10 to 63 months).The latest follow-up showed fracture union in all the patients.The stiffness group had 38 patients and the non-stiffness group 121.Multivariate regression analysis showed that high energy trauma (OR =3.141,95％ CI 1.396 ～ 7.070,P =0.006) and time from injury to surgery ＞ one week (OR =2.596,95％ CI 1.123 ～ 6.000,P =0.026) were independent risk factors for elbow stiffness after ORIF for intercondylar fractures of the distal humerus.Conclusion The patients with high energy trauma and time from injury to surgery ＞ one week should be treated with caution and special care in clinical practice because the 2 factors are closely related to posttraumatic elbow stiffness after ORIF for intercondylar fracture of the distal humerus.

Risk factors for elbow stiffness after open reduction and internal fixation for intercondylar fractures of the distal humerus / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective@#To explore the risk factors for elbow stiffness after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for intercondylar fractures of the distal humerus.@*Methods@#From January 2013 to May 2017, 159 patients underwent ORIF for intercondylar fractures of the distal humerus with dual plating. They were 83 males and 76 females with a mean age of 42.6 years (from 14 to 79 years). They were divided into 2 groups according to their range of motion at the latest follow-up and the secondary elbow arthrolysis they had undergone or not. The stiffness group had extension-flexion and/or pronation-supination <100° and secondary elbow arthrolysis while the non-stiffness group had extension-flexion and pronation-supination ≥100° and no secondary elbow arthrolysis. Age, gender, fracture side, mechanism of injury, AO fracture classification, open/close fracture, additional fracture, preoperative nerve injury, time from injury to surgery, surgical approach, configuration of plating, medication for anti-heterotopic ossification and implant removal were analyzed as risk factors for elbow stiffness using Logistic regression analysis.@*Results@#The mean follow-up period for this cohort was 32.0 months (from 10 to 63 months). The latest follow-up showed fracture union in all the patients. The stiffness group had 38 patients and the non-stiffness group 121. Multivariate regression analysis showed that high energy trauma (OR=3.141, 95%CI 1.396~7.070, P=0.006) and time from injury to surgery >one week (OR=2.596, 95%CI 1.123~6.000, P=0.026) were independent risk factors for elbow stiffness after ORIF for intercondylar fractures of the distal humerus.@*Conclusion@#The patients with high energy trauma and time from injury to surgery >one week should be treated with caution and special care in clinical practice because the 2 factors are closely related to posttraumatic elbow stiffness after ORIF for intercondylar fracture of the distal humerus.

Comparison of clinical outcomes between young and elderly patients with humeral intercondylar fracture treated by either parallel or orthogonal double plating / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective@#To compare the clinical outcomes between young and elderly patients with humeral intercondylar fracture treated by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with either parallel or orthogonal double-plate.@*Methods@#From January 2013 to December 2017, 54 patients with humeral intercondylar fracture were treated at Department of Orthopedic Trauma, Jishuitan Hospital by ORIF with anatomical locking compression plate (LCP) (either parallel or orthogonal double-plate configuration). According to their age, the patients were divided into a young group (from 18 to 30 years old) of 29 cases with an age of 25.5±3.6 years and an elderly group (≥60 years old) of 25 cases with an age of 67.1±5.8 years. The 2 groups were compared in terms of perioperative data, ranges of motion (flextion, extension and rotation), numeric rating scale for pain (NRS), Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) and quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (Quick-DASH) at the last follow-up, complications and secondary surgery.@*Results@#The 2 groups were comparable because there were no significant differences in the preoperative general data except in injury energy, combined injury and gender between them (P>0.05). The young group had significantly more cases of high-energy injury and combined injuries than the elderly group(P<0.05). All patients were followed up for 33.6±15.0 months (from 12 to 63 months). The total blood loss in the elderly group (643.9±298.7 mL) was significantly less than that in the young group (953.9±554.6 mL) (P<0.05). At the last follow-up, there were no significant differences between the 2 groups in ranges of motion, NRS or MEPS (P>0.05), but the elderly group had significantly higher Quick-DASH scores (13.9±14.4 points) than the young group (5.7±8.9 points) (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in postoperative elbow stiffness or postoperative ulnar nerve symptoms betwee the 2 groups (P>0.05), but the rate of secondary surgery in the young group (37.9%, 11/29) was significantly higher than that in the elderly group (4.0%, 1/25) (P<0.05).@*Conclusions@#In the treatment of humeral intercondylar fractures, ORIF with LCP (either parallel or orthogonal double-plate configuration) can lead to similarly safe and effective clinical outcomes for both young and elderly patients.

Recent progress in diagnosis and treatment of hyperparathyroidism / 国际外科学杂志

Hyperparathyroidism is a secondary or primary endocrine disorder.In recent years,the incidence of hyperparathyroidism in China is increasing.Clinical manifestations tend to be multi-systemic injuries,which poses challenges for patients and clinicians.At the same time,with the advancement of medical science and technology,new detection means and innovative therapies are emerging.In this paper,recent progress of diagnosis and treatments is reviewed to provide basis for clinical work.

Complete androgen insensitivity syndrome associated with vesical fistula:a case report and literature review / 北京大学学报(医学版)

Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) is a very uncommon genetic disorder that results from the resistance of androgen receptor (AR) to androgen, which influences the formation of the male genitalia and in turn presents with female phenotype.Surgical resection of undesceaded testicle and different kinds of genitoplasty are crucial methods to correct the deformity of reproductive system, as well as hormone replacement therapy, which is an essential therapy for postoperational rehabilitation in AIS patients.A 43-year-old patient, who was socially female, was first admitted to gastroenterology department due to recurrent ascites and occasional abdominal pain with unknown origin.Taking physical examination, ultrasonography, karyotype analysis and sex hormone levels into consideration, the overall manifestations revealed the typical clinical features of complete androgen insensitivity syndrome.After that she was transferred to urology department for laparoscopic gonadectomy.During the surgery, doctors found that there was a vesical fistula on the upper wall near the conjunction between the bladder and ligamenta umbilicale medium, which explained the recurrent ascites for more than 4 years.After resecting the testicles and the tissues around the vesical fistula for histopathology, the result suggested Sertoli cell adenoma, hyperplastic Leydig cells and urothelium atypical hyperplasia.Hormone replacement therapy was given right after discharge.The hormone levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol and progesterone were modulated by the dysfunction of androgen production after gonadectomy and hormone replacement therapy together with psychotherapy could stabilize her hormone levels and improve the quality of her life.The patient was suspicious of AIS family history and the pedigree was made to analyze her family which was possibly X-linked recessive pattern.We propose three possible hypotheses of the fistula, which are direct surgical injury, recurrence of bladder cancer and congenital urachal anomalies.But whether it is relevant between urachal anomalies and AIS is yet to be discovered.