Treatment of Tibial Plateau Fractures with a Circular External Fixator: A Comparative Analysis of Two Assembly Methods.

Objective To compare the functional outcomes of two circular external fixation techniques to treat complex fractures of the proximal end of the tibia. Materials and Methods The present is a retrospective cohort study with 51 patients who underwent surgical treatment for complex fractures of the tibial plateau with a circular external fixator. There were two groups of patients: 12 subjects underwent treatment with the classic assembly technique, and 39 subjects underwent treatment with the simplified technique. The variables analyzed included age, sex, injury mechanism, trauma energy, associated injuries, fixator type, time of fixator use, and clinical-radiographic outcomes. The classic technique mainly uses transfixing Kirschner wires, while the simplified one replaces the Kirschner wires with Schanz pins in the distal block of the circular external fixator. Result There were no statistically significant differences ( p > 0.05) between the two groups concerning the clinical-radiographic outcomes, including fracture consolidation, quality of joint fracture reduction, range of motion, lower limbs residual discrepancy, and postoperative pain. Conclusion We suggest that the simplified technique, using Schanz pins instead of Kirschner wires, can be a viable and effective alternative to treat complex fractures of the proximal end of the tibia with a circular external fixator. This simplified approach can offer benefits, such as a lower infection rate and greater patient comfort, without compromising clinical and radiographic outcomes, thus justifying its use.

Bone Regenerate Evaluation Methods.

Since its introduction by Ilizarov, the distraction osteogenesis technique has been used to treat trauma-related conditions, infections, bone tumors, and congenital diseases, either as methods of bone transport or elongation. One of the major dilemmas for the orthopedic surgeon who performs osteogenic distraction is establishing a reproducible method of assessing the progression of the osteogenesis, enabling the early detection of regenerate failures, in order to effectively interfere during treatment, and to determine the appropriate time to remove the external fixator. Several quantitative monitoring methods to evaluate the structural recovery and biomechanical properties of the bone regenerate at different stages, as well as the bone healing process, are under study. These methods can reveal data on bone metabolism, stiffness, bone mineral content, and bone mineral density. The present review comprehensively summarizes the most recent techniques to assess bone healing during osteogenic distraction, including conventional radiography and pixel values in digital radiology, ultrasonography, bone densitometry and scintigraphy, quantitative computed tomography, biomechanical evaluation, biochemical markers, and mathematical models. We believe it is crucial to know the different methods currently available, and we understand that using several monitoring methods simultaneously can be an ideal solution, pointing to a future direction in the follow-up of osteogenic distraction.

Bone Regenerate Evaluation MethodsMétodos de avaliação do regenerado ósseo / Métodos de avaliação do regenerado ósseoBone Regenerate Evaluation Methods

Abstract Since its introduction by Ilizarov, the distraction osteogenesis technique has been used to treat trauma-related conditions, infections, bone tumors, and congenital diseases, either as methods of bone transport or elongation. One of the major dilemmas for the orthopedic surgeon who performs osteogenic distraction is establishing a reproducible method of assessing the progression of the osteogenesis, enabling the early detection of regenerate failures,inorder toeffectively interfereduring treatment, andtodeterminetheappropriate time to remove the external fixator. Several quantitative monitoring methods to evaluate the structural recovery and biomechanical properties of the bone regenerate at different stages,aswell as the bone healing process, are under study. These methods can reveal data on bone metabolism, stiffness, bone mineral content, and bone mineral density. The present review comprehensively summarizes the most recent techniques to assess bone healing during osteogenic distraction, including conventional radiography and pixel values in digital radiology, ultrasonography, bone densitometry and scintigraphy, quantitative computed tomography, biomechanical evaluation, biochemical markers, and mathematical models. We believe it is crucial to know the different methods currently available, and we understand that using several monitoring methods simultaneously can be an ideal solution, pointing to a future direction in the follow-up of osteogenic distraction.

Resumo Desde que foi descrita por Ilizarov, a técnica de osteogênese por distração tem sido utilizada para o tratamento de diversas condições relacionadas ao trauma, infecções, tumores ósseos edoenças congênitas, naforma detransporteou alongamento ósseo. Um dos dilemas mais comuns do cirurgião ortopédico que realiza distração osteogênica é o estabelecimentodeum método reprodutível deverificaçãoda progressão da osteogênese, que permita a detecção precoce de falhas no regenerado, para que se possa interferir de formaeficazduranteotratamento,bemcomodeterminarotempoapropriadoderemoção dofixadorexterno.Recentemente,váriosmétodosdemonitoramentoquantitativo,comos quais se poderia avaliar a recuperação da estrutura e as propriedades biomecânicas do regenerado ósseoemdiferentes estágios, alémdoprocessodecicatrização óssea, têm sido amplamente investigados. Por esses métodos, pode-se saber o conteúdo mineral ósseo, a densidade mineral óssea, a rigidez e o metabolismo ósseo. Nesta revisão, resumimos de forma abrangente as técnicas mais recentes para avaliar a cicatrização óssea durante a distração osteogênica, entre elas, métodos como aradiografia convencional e os valores de pixels em radiologia digital, a ultrassonografia, a densitometria e a cintilografia ósseas, a tomografia computadorizada quantitativa, a avaliação biomecânica, os marcadores bioquímicos e os modelos matemáticos. Consideramos fundamental o conhecimento dos diversos métodos à disposição atualmente e entendemos que a utilização de vários métodos de monitoramento simultaneamente possa ser uma solução ideal, que aponte para uma direção futura no seguimento da distração osteogênica.

The Management of Tibial Bone Defects: A Multicenter Experience of Hexapod and Ilizarov Frames.

INTRODUCTION: Bone defects may be managed with bone transport or acute shortening and lengthening using circular external fixation devices. We performed a multicenter retrospective cohort study to compare the outcomes between the Ilizarov frames and hexapod frames for the management of bone defects. METHODS: Patients treated for bone defects using either Ilizarov or hexapod frames were included for analysis in two specialist institutions. Primary outcomes were time to consolidation, bone healing index (BHI), and external fixator index (EFI). Radiographic parameters included the medial proximal tibial angle, lateral distal tibial angle, posterior proximal tibial angle, and anterior distal tibial angle. RESULTS: There were 137 hexapods and 90 Ilizarov frames in total. The mean time to follow-up was 3.7 years in the hexapod group and 4.0 years in the Ilizarov group. Hexapods had a significantly lower time to consolidation (253 days versus 449 days) (P < 0.0001) and BHI (59.1 days/cm versus 87.5 days/cm) (P < 0.0001). Hexapods had a significantly better EFI (72.3 days/cm versus 96.1 days/cm) (P = 0.0009). CONCLUSION: Hexapods may confer a significant advantage over Ilizarov frames in the management of bone defects. Time to consolidation, radiographic parameters, BHI, and EFI are all superior in hexapods.

Biomechanical Analysis of the Behaviour at the Metaphyseal-Diaphyseal Junction of Complex Tibial Plateau Fractures Using Two Circular Fixator Configurations.

BACKGROUND: High-energy tibial plateau fractures are challenges in treatment with controversy over operative stabilisation, especially for fractures with metaphyseal-diaphyseal dissociation. Treatment with percutaneous or minimally invasive direct reduction techniques, usually associated with circular external fixation, has generated interest although there is no consensus regarding the type of external fixation to be used. AIM: This study aims to compare the two hybrid circular external fixation mountings used to treat the high-energy tibial plateau fractures. METHODS: Two different groups of hybrid circular external fixation frame mountings were assembled using composite tibiae with proximal metaphyseal osteotomies simulating tibial plateau fractures with metaphyseal-diaphyseal dissociation. The standard all-wire frame mounting was assembled, and the comparison frame mounting had the distal K-wires replaced with half-pins. Both groups were tested through cyclic loading between 300 and 1000 N for 10,000 cycles. Interfragmentary linear and rotational displacements were analysed. RESULTS: The standard frame mounting behaved similarly to a classic Ilizarov frame, allowing greater axial movement (mean, 3.76 ± 0.26 mm in the standard group and 3.02 ± 0.23 mm in the test group) and smaller mediolateral displacement compared with the test frame (mean, 0.17 ± 0.16 mm compared to 0.56 ± 0.12 mm). The test frame behaved more similarly to a linear external fixator and provided greater axial stability, similar anteroposterior displacement, and lower mediolateral stability. Despite these differences, in both groups the axial displacement was greater than the prejudicial nonaxial movements. CONCLUSION: Increasing the number of half-pins and decreasing the number of K-wires in hybrid circular external fixation generate frames that tend to behave more similarly to the linear external fixators. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Cardoso GS, Amorim R, Penha FM, et al. Biomechanical Analysis of the Behaviour at the Metaphyseal-Diaphyseal Junction of Complex Tibial Plateau Fractures Using Two Circular Fixator Configurations. Strategies Trauma Limb Reconstr 2020;15(3):138-145.

Lúpus eritematoso sistêmico bolhoso na infância: relato de caso / Bullous systemic lupus erythematosus in the childhood: case report

É apresentado caso de lúpus eritematoso bolhoso na infância. Doente do sexo feminino, com nove anos, apresentava erupção vesicobolhosa no tronco, região cervical, genital e membros. O exame anatomopatológico mostrou bolha subepidérmica com neutrófilos, a imunofluorescência direta revelou depósito linear de IgA, IgM, IgG e C3 na zona da membrana basal, e a indireta foi negativa. Os anticorpos antinucleares e o anti-Sm estavam positivos. Houve regressão do quadro com dapsona e prednisona. Trata-se de caso raro de lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (LES) na infância que se iniciou com bolhas disseminadas. O LES bolhoso deve ser incluído no diagnóstico diferencial das erupções bolhosas na infância.

We report a case of bullous systemic lupus erythematosus in a 9-year-old female, with a vesiculobullous eruption on the trunk, neck, genitals and limbs. A skin biopsy specimen showed subepidermal blister with neutrophils. Direct immunofluorescence revealed deposition of IgA, IgG, IgM and C3 at the epithelial basement membrane zone and indirect immunofluorescence was negative. Antinuclear antibodies and anti-Sm were positive. Resolution of the blisters occurred following treatment with dapsone and prednisone. This is a rare case of systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) in the childhood, whose initial manifestation was a bullous eruption. Bullous SLE should be considered in the differential diagnosis of children presenting with generalized bullous eruption.