Arthroscopic Treatment of Displaced tibial Intercondylar Eminence Fractures: A Comparison of K-wires vs. Screw Fixation / 대한정형외과학회잡지

OBJECTIVES: To assess and compare the degree of reduction and clinical results following arthroscopic cannulated screw and K-wire fixation for type III displaced tibial intercondylar eminence fractures. METHODS: From 1991 to 1997, 20 patients with type III of intercondylar eminence fractures were arthroscopically treated (K-wire in 12 and screw in 8) and followed up 31 mo. in average. Degrees of reduction, extension loss and residual joint laxity were checked. And statistical analysis was done (Mann Whitney U-test) . Functional results were recorded by Meyers & McKeever's criteria. RESULTS: Degrees of reduction showed +2.1mm in K-wire group, and -1.3mm in screw group (avg., p<0.05) . Anterior displacements were 2.2mm and 1.7mm in stress x-rays and 3.5mm and 1.2mm in KT-1000 arthrometer, respectively (avg.,p<0.05) . Average loss of extension was 7 in K-wire group and 3 in screw group. There were excellent 9, good 3 in K-wire group and excellent 7, good 1 in screw group. CONCLUSION: Because of arthroscopic screw fixation able to compress and sink the fragment, it may showed less extension loss and residual laxity than K-wire fixtion. It is recommendable for the first choice to the treatment of type III tibial intercondylar eminence fractures with relatively large fragment.

Early Problems of Open discectomy for Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Herniation / 대한척추외과학회지

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study analyzing early problems of open discectomy for lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. OBJECTIVES: To analyse the incidence of intraoperative and postoperative problems developed within six weeks and their relationship with reoperation and prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hundred and ninty-four patients with intervertebral disc herniation, treated by open discectomy from April 1987 to December 1997, were assessed for intraoperative and postoperative problems. The problems were classified into three degrees : major, moderate and minor problem. when the problem was related to readmission, reoperation and prolonged admission for more than six weeks, it was classified as major problem. When the problem was related to prolongation of duration of admission for two to six weeks, it was classified as moderate problem. When the problem was not related to any prolongation of duration of admission, it was classified as minor one. RESULTS: Seven intraoperative and twenty-three postoperative problems were developed in twenty-seven patients. There were seven major problems : three recurrence of symptom and four suspicious deep infections. Nine moderate problems : six remained radiating pain, two serous discharge from operative wound and one urinary tract infection. and remained fourteen were minor problems : two recurrent symptom, two persistent pain, three serous discharge and seven intraoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: The early major problems of open discectomy were recurrence of intervertebral disc herniation and deep infections. Problems with remainded radiating pain usually don't need reoperation and those symptoms were relieved with time goes. The prognosis was not influenced by minor problems.