Axillary Artery Injuries Associated With Proximal Humerus Fractures: A Literature Review and a Proposal of a Novel Multidisciplinary Surgical Approach.

INTRODUCTION: Proximal humerus fractures (PHF) are common injuries that can lead to axillary artery injury, which carries the risk of not being identified during initial assessment. The aim of this study was to describe the management of suspected axillary artery injury associated with PHF according to our experience and to describe a new multidisciplinary surgical approach. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective study. A database was created for patients admitted for PHF to the emergency department of the Hospital of Cannes between October 2017 and October 2019. Patients admitted with PHF associated with suspected ipsilateral upper limb ischemia, and/or massive diaphysis displacement, and/or upper limb ipsilateral neurological deficits were included in this study. RESULTS: In total, 301 patients diagnosed with PHF were admitted within these periods. Among these patients, 12 presented with suspected axillary artery lesions, of whom, 6 were included in the present study and treated according to our new approach. A description of these 6 cases, along with an extensive literature review is presented. CONCLUSION: Based on our experience, the endovascular approach proposed for the management of axillary artery injury associated with proximal humerus fractures is effective, feasible and reproducible.

Intramedullary nailing for humeral shaft fractures: Is distal locking necessary?

INTRODUCTION: Intramedullary (IM) nailing of humeral shaft fractures is a reliable means to achieve bone union while allowing early motion. The hypothesis was that distal locking is unnecessary due to good primary stability of the impacted nail in the distal, truncated cone portion of the medullary canal. The primary objective of this study was to confirm the success of the procedure without distal locking by identifying failure criteria. The secondary objectives were to compare the outcomes of IM nailing with and without distal locking. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, single-center, non-randomized study of 128 patients with a humeral shaft fracture between 2012 and 2020 treated surgically with a long IM nail. Proximal locking was done in every case, then the rotational stability of the nail was tested. Stable nails were not locked distally (group A), while unstable nails were locked distally through an anterior approach (group B). All patients were reviewed with at least 12 months' follow-up. RESULTS: Distal locking was performed in 30 patients (mean age 63, 17-91) while the fracture in 98 patients (mean age 65, 20-93) did not require distal locking. The average time to union was 4 months (2-6). The average operative time in group B was 87min (35-185) with 90s fluoroscopy time (33-158) versus 52min (20-127) with 44 s fluoroscopy time (12-143) in group A (p<0.05). Four patients in group B suffered postoperative radial nerve palsy and two others had another fracture at the level of the distal locking screws. The union rate did not differ between groups (Group A 94.6%, group B 86.2%, p=0.217) nor did the functional recovery - SSV of 79.5 (10-100) in group A versus 76 (40-100) in group B (p=0.271) - or the range of motion (p>0.05). There were no instances of rotational malunion. DISCUSSION: Except for certain distal third fractures, distal locking is not necessary to achieve bone union when the nail is impacted into the medullary canal. This reduces the operative time, fluoroscopy time and risk of neurological damage. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Identification and treatment of potentially destabilizing Vancouver B-lesser trochanter periprosthetic fracture ("New B2"): A 33-case series.

INTRODUCTION: A new type of periprosthetic fracture, between Vancouver-SoFCOT types A and B, was recently described and labeled "new B2". It occurs intraoperatively or in the early postoperative period, on cementless implants, and features a posteromedial cortical fragment around the lesser trochanter. The main aim of the present study was to report clinical and radiological results in a series of 33 cases of what is better called Vancouver B-lesser trochanter (VB-LT) fracture. The secondary objective was to identify risk factors. The study hypothesis was that VB-LT fracture might occur in the late postoperative course. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A2 single-center retrospective study included all patients with postoperative periprosthetic VB-LT fracture diagnosed on standard X-ray. Treatment was operative or non-operative depending on femoral implant subsidence and the patient's general health status. RESULTS: There were 33 VB-LT fractures out of 445 periprosthetic femoral fractures (7.5%), in 27 women and 6 men; all were postoperative, at a mean 47 months (range, 1 day to 20 years). Mean subsidence of the femoral stem was 8.8mm, in 73% of cases (24 out of 33 implants). The 9 VB-LT1 fractures (without subsidence) were treated non-operatively, without secondary displacement. Thirteen of the 24 VB-LT2 fractures (with subsidence) were managed by stem exchange and cerclage; 3 other patients had isolated stem exchange, 2 had isolated internal fixation by cerclage, and 6 in poor health were managed non-operatively. At a mean 28 months' follow-up (range, 6-48 months), mean PMA score was 15.5 (range, 10-18), Harris Hip score 72.4 (range, 43-100) and Parker score 7.2 (range, 4-9). All cases showed osseointegration and implant stability; there was 1 case of non-union, without impact on stability. CONCLUSION: Postoperative Vancouver B-lesser trochanter fracture seemed specific to cementless implants and did not occur exclusively in the early postoperative period. Non-operative treatment gave good results when there was no implant subsidence (type VB-LT1). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective.

Feasibility and technique of ultrasound traumatic elbow lesion assessment.

INTRODUCTION: The present study aimed to describe the technique of ultrasound traumatic elbow lesion assessment performed by an orthopedic surgeon. METHODS: Nine patients were included in a single-center study. Clinical examination assessed pain, ranges of elbow motion, neurovascular status and elbow ligament testing. Ultrasound was associated to radiography between days 7 and 15, screening for lesions of the bone, medial ligament (in 30-90° flexion), lateral ligament (elbow at 90° in cobra position) and epitrochlear and epicondylar muscle insertions. Ultrasound scanning time and echogenicity were assessed. RESULTS: Four radial head osteochondral fractures were detected on ultrasound in addition to the 4 fractures seen on radiography, without significant difference (p=0.071). Clinical examination found 2 cases of valgus laxity and 5 of varus laxity. Ultrasound, performed blind to radiography, found 1 medial collateral ligament anterior bundle lesion (in 1 of the 2 patients with valgus laxity) and 4 lateral collateral ligament ulnar bundle lesions (in 4 of the 5 patients with varus laxity). There were no epicondylar or epitrochlear tendon lesions. Scanning time decreased significantly over the study period, from a mean 30minutes in the first 5 cases to a mean 24.8minutes in the last 5 (p=0.046). Three patients could not be put in the cobra position, and 3 showed poor echogenicity. DISCUSSION: Ultrasound assessment of traumatic elbow lesions could be performed by an orthopedic surgeon on a well-defined protocol. Lesions on ultrasound matched clinical symptomatology. Inter- and intra-observer reproducibility remain to be assessed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

All-Arthroscopic Reconstruction of Severe Chronic Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocations.

PURPOSE: To report the outcomes of all-arthroscopic coracoclavicular (CC) ligament reconstruction and simultaneous diagnosis and treatment of glenohumeral pathologies in patients with symptomatic, chronic (>6 weeks), complete (Rockwood type III-V) acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) separations. METHODS: We prospectively followed up 57 consecutive patients treated arthroscopically for chronic Rockwood type III (n = 11), type IV (n = 19), and type V (n = 27) ACJ dislocations. Previous ACJ surgery failed in 11 (19%). The mean delay between injury and surgery was 39 months (range, 6 months to 17 years). The mean age at surgery was 42 years (range, 19-71 years). After glenohumeral exploration, an arthroscopic modified Weaver-Dunn procedure with CC suture button fixation (Twinbridge) was performed. The CC reduction and tunnel position were analyzed with radiographs and computed tomography. The mean follow-up period was 36 months (range, 12-72 months). RESULTS: Intra-articular pathology was treated arthroscopically in 27 patients (48%): 17 labral tears, 8 rotator cuff tears (3 partial and 5 complete), and 15 biceps lesions (4 SLAP lesions and 11 subluxations). At last follow-up, 7 patients (12%) experienced recurrent ACJ instability: 2 frank dislocations (1 trauma and 1 infection) and 5 ACJ subluxations. There was no significant correlation between subluxation and clinical outcome. The rate of recurrent ACJ instability was significantly higher in patients with higher-grade ACJ dislocations (P < .01) and/or previous failed surgery (P < .001). Recurrent subluxation was observed in 3 cases of lateral migration of the coracoid button with lateral tunnel placement, as well as 2 cases of anterior migration of the clavicular button with anterior tunnel placement. The Constant score increased from 67 (range, 28-89) to 85.5 (range, 66-100), and the mean Subjective Shoulder Value increased from 54% to 85% (P < .001). At last follow-up, 95% of patients (54 of 57) were satisfied. CONCLUSIONS: All-arthroscopic treatment allows successful CC ligament reconstruction and simultaneous diagnosis and treatment of frequently associated (48%) glenohumeral lesions. Higher-grade ACJ dislocations, previous ACJ surgery, and misplacement of bone tunnels are risk factors for recurrent instability. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.

Double incision repair technique with immediate mobilization for acute distal biceps tendon ruptures provides good results after 2 years in active patients.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical treatment of distal biceps tendon ruptures is recommended in an active population to avoid loss of strength, especially in supination and flexion. HYPOTHESIS: A double incision repair technique with immediate postoperative mobilization for acute distal biceps tendon ruptures is safe and provides good results after 2 years in active patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy-four men (47±7 years) with acute tears of the distal biceps tendon tears were included in this retrospective single-center study. All patients were operated using the double-incision repair technique described by Morrey. The tendon was inserted with transosseous sutures into the biceps tuberosity. Patients were allowed to perform immediate postoperative active mobilization. A minimum follow-up of two years was required including clinical and radiological evaluation. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were lost to follow up leaving 58 (78%) patients for analysis with a mean follow-up of 53±19 months. At final follow-up, the mean evaluation for pain on the VAS scale was 0.22±0.7. Mean range of motion results included extension -1°±2°, flexion 138°±6°, pronation 72°±16° and supination 81°±10°. The strength ratio in flexion was 94±8% and in supination 90.5±12% compared to the contralateral limb. Subjective elbow value and DASH score were respectively 94±6% and 7.5±9%. All patients were satisfied or very satisfied and all except one returned to their previous sport. We noticed 2 heterotopic ossifications and one patient needed a reoperation for a radioulnar synostosis. Neither re-rupture nor nerve injury were observed. DISCUSSION: A double incision technique for distal biceps tendon repair is a minimally invasive procedure with reliable results. Morrey's modification of the initial procedure associated with early mobilization is associated with a low rate of complications and limited the occurrence of synostosis or ossifications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, case series, with no comparison group.

All-arthroscopic Weaver-Dunn-Chuinard procedure with double-button fixation for chronic acromioclavicular joint dislocation.

PURPOSE: We described a novel all-arthroscopic technique of coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction and reported the early clinical and radiologic results of this procedure. METHODS: We performed all-arthroscopic coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction in 10 consecutive patients (8 men and 2 women; mean age, 41 years) with a symptomatic chronic and complete acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation (Rockwood type III or IV). Four patients had undergone surgery previously: two had initial pinning of the acute AC joint separation, and two had a subsequent Mumford procedure. The surgical technique, performed entirely by arthroscopy, consisted of (1) rerouting the coracoacromial ligament with a bone block harvested from the tip of the acromion in a socket created in the distal clavicle (Chuinard's modification of the Weaver-Dunn procedure) and (2) augmenting the reconstruction with 2 titanium buttons connected by a heavy suture in a 4-strand configuration (Double-Button fixation; Smith & Nephew Endoscopy, Andover, MA). Patients were prospectively followed up for a mean of 12.8 months (range, 6 to 20 months). RESULTS: One patient had a superficial infection of the superior (clavicular) portal, which resolved with oral antibiotics. At the most recent review, all patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the cosmesis, and 9 of 10 returned to previous sports, including contact and overhead sports. All symptoms resolved (pain, shoulder weakness, paresthesia). The mean postoperative University of California, Los Angeles modified AC rating score was 16.5 points (range, 13 to 18 points) out of 20 points. The mean Subjective Shoulder Value improved from 36% (range, 0% to 70%) preoperatively to 82.5% (range, 70% to 100%) postoperatively (P = .005). The bone block was totally healed in the medullary canal in 8 cases and partially healed in 2. No loss of reduction was observed in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that severe chronic symptomatic AC joint separations, defined as Rockwood types III through V, can be repaired entirely by arthroscopy safely and effectively by transferring the coracoacromial ligament with a bone block in the distal clavicle. The bone block transfer (Weaver-Dunn-Chuinard procedure) has the advantage of making the repair easier and stronger, and it provides bone-to-bone healing by use of free, autologous vascularized tissue. Double-Button fixation has the advantage of maintaining the reduction during the biological healing process. Although the durability of the reconstruction remains unproven, in our short-term follow-up we observed no loss of reduction and the functional and cosmetic results were uniformly good. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

[Lympho-epithelioma of the bladder. Discussion of pathogenesis]. / Le carcinome lympho-épithélial de vessie. Discussion pathogénique.

Lympoepithelioma, originally described within the nasopharynx is an undifferenciated malignant epithelial tumor with a prominent lymphoid stroma. We report a case of lymphoepithelioma of the bladder after intravesical BCG treatment for carcinoma in situ.