Identification of the medial femoral safe zone for drilling during dynamic hip screw side plate fixation: A CT angiogram tracing of the profunda femoris artery.

OBJECTIVES: Iatrogenic injury of the Profunda Femoris Artery (PFA) at time of hip fixation surgery can increase morbidity and mortality and prolong the hospital stay. This is an injury that tends to pass unnoticed as a cause of postoperative deterioration despite being frequently reported in the literature. Our study aims to describe the anatomy of the PFA in relation to the medial femoral cortex with specific emphasis on its orientation relative to the position of a sliding hip screw side plate construct. By doing so we are able to present clear guidance to orthopaedic surgeons on how to avoid iatrogenic PFA injury at the time of hip fracture fixation. METHODS: Using Computed Tomography Angiographic (CTA) studies, the course of the PFA in relation to the medial femoral cortex was traced in 44 patients (28 males and 16 females) with mean age of 65.6 years. Coronal and axial CT sections were cross-linked to specify the position of the PFA at 1 cm intervals. RESULTS: The course of the artery could be divided into three parts relative to a fixed reference point. Proximal and distal parts of the artery were in a safer position in comparison to the middle part of the artery that was found very close to the femoral cortex and along the coronal axis of the femur (mean angle 2.9° from the femoral coronal axis and 13.8 mm from the medial femoral cortex). Using the commercially available side plate constructs, this part of the artery corresponded to the distal part of the plate (third and fourth holes). CONCLUSION: Special attention needs to be practiced by the operating surgeon while drilling into the third and fourth holes of the side plate.

Acute spontaneous atraumatic bilateral anterior dislocation of the shoulder joint with Hill-Sachs lesions: first reported case and review of literature.

The anatomy of the shoulder joint comprises a relatively large humeral head with a shallow glenoid cavity allowing a remarkable range of motion at the expense of inherent instability. Despite anterior shoulder dislocations being the most common type encountered, bilateral dislocations are rare and almost always posterior. The aetiology is usually direct or indirect trauma related to sports, seizures, electric shock or electroconvulsive therapy. We present the first reported case of atraumatic bilateral acute anterior shoulder dislocations with associated Hill-Sachs lesions in a young, fit and well patient with no comorbidities. MRI illustrated the Hill-Sachs lesions with superior labral tear from anterior to posterior, and confirmed the acute nature of the injury by demonstrating the bone marrow oedema. The patient was treated surgically with arthroscopic anterior stabilisation. At 6 months following surgery, the patient has a pain free full range of movement of both shoulders with no further dislocations and has returned to work.