A New Technique for Obtaining Bone Graft in Cases of Distal Femur Nonunion: Passing a Reamer/Irrigator/Aspirator Retrograde Through the Nonunion Site.

Bone grafting is one of the most common orthopedic procedures. We conducted a study to assess the possibility of passing a Reamer/Irrigator/Aspirator (RIA; DePuy Synthes) retrograde through the nonunion site in distal femur cases. This technique would avoid the complications and discomfort associated with a separate entry site for RIA. All patients with a distal femur nonunion treated with RIA bone grafting between 2009 and 2013 were included in the study. Nonunions were mobilized with excision of fibrous tissues. The distal part was angulated into varus, and then the guide wire was passed from the nonunion site laterally. Five patients had a RIA passed retrograde through the nonunion site. Mean age of these patients was 40.4 years (range, 22-66 years). Mean reamer size was 13.4 mm (mode, 14 mm), producing an average bone graft volume of 33 mL. There were no intraoperative or postoperative fractures. In 1 case, the reamer shaft broke. Passing a RIA retrograde through the nonunion site in distal femur cases is reproducible, and the technique avoids the discomfort and pain associated with a separate entry point as well as the complication of eccentric reaming of the proximal and distal part of the femoral canal.

Submuscular bridge plating for complex pediatric femur fractures is reliable.

BACKGROUND: Complex, high-energy pediatric femur diaphyseal fractures cannot be treated reliably by conventional methods: casting is not suitable for polytrauma and large children, external fixation is associated with a high rate of malalignment and refractures, elastic nails are unsuitable for unstable fractures and metaphyseal areas, and lateral trochanteric entry rigid nails cannot address proximal and distal fragments and need relatively large medullary canals. A few centers have reported that submuscular bridge plating (SBP) is associated with minimal complications, but these findings require confirmation. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We asked whether SBP (1) reproducibly leads to union in unstable fractures with a low complication rate, (2) leads to reasonable alignment and leg length equality (3), is unaffected by age, weight, or location of fracture, and (4) is associated with no or minimal refracture after hardware removal. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 60 fractures in 58 patients with pediatric diaphyseal femoral fractures treated with SBP from 1999 to 2011. The average age was 9 years. Forty (67%) of the fractures were unstable. Minimum followup was 2.4 months (average, 15.5 months; range, 2.4-50.6 months). RESULTS: All fractures healed well and all patients returned to full activity. Two of the 58 patients (3%) had major complications leading to unplanned surgeries: one implant failure and one deep infection in an old open fracture. None of the patients developed clinically important malalignment or leg length discrepancy. Implant removal was performed in 49 patients without complications. CONCLUSIONS: SBP provided reliable fixation and healing for complex pediatric femur fractures and can have a broader application in the orthopaedic community. SBP is our preferred method for unstable fractures or fractures of the proximal and distal shaft.

Pediatric distal femur fixation by proximal humeral plate.

Distal femoral metaphyseal fractures are common injuries in children. Multiple treatment options have been described for this type of injury. For older children with distal metaphyseal fracture, there is still no optimal method of fixation. We propose that the commonly used proximal humeral plate can provide good method of fixation for this fracture in adolescents. Two children (12 and 14 years old) with distal metaphyseal femoral fracture were treated with proximal humeral plate. We describe the surgical technique and postoperative management. The two children healed with good alignment and full range of motion of the knee. No external immobilization (other than knee immobilizer for the first 2 weeks) was used. We concluded that proximal humeral plate can provide adequate fixation for teenagers with distal femoral metaphyseal fracture. It is readily available; provide multiple options for screw fixation in the distal part of the fracture and fits easily on the distal part of the femur proximal to the physis.

Computer navigation in orthopedic trauma: safer surgeries with less irradiation and more precision.

Exposure of patients and practitioners to ionizing radiation for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes has become the norm rather than the exception. This article discusses the findings from a literature review of intraoperative risks from ionizing radiation to patients and surgeons and the validity of substituting the conventional intraoperative fluoroscopy with computer-assisted orthopedic surgery (CAOS) in orthopedic trauma surgery. Diversity of study designs and measurements exists in reporting intraoperative ionizing radiation, making direct study comparisons difficult. CAOS can effectively reduce the amount of radiation exposure. There are definite advantages and disadvantages for using CAOS in the field of orthopedic trauma. Implementation of CAOS may hold the answer to better patient and surgeon intraoperative radiation safety with decreased operative time and increased procedure precision. The increased safety for patients and surgeons is a critical consideration in recommending CAOS in trauma surgery.

Acute morbidity and complications of thigh compartment syndrome: A report of 26 cases.

BACKGROUND: To describe the patient population, etiology, and complications associated with thigh compartment syndrome (TCS). TCS is a rare condition, affecting less than 0.3% of trauma patients, caused by elevated pressure within a constrained fascial space which can result in tissue necrosis, fibrosis, and physical impairment in addition to other complications. Compartment releases performed after irreversible tissue ischemia has developed can lead to severe infection, amputation, and systemic complications including renal insufficiency and death. METHODS: This study examines the course of treatment of 23 consecutive patients with 26 thigh compartment syndromes sustained during an eight-year period at two Level 1 trauma centers, each admitting more than 2,000 trauma patients yearly. RESULTS: Patients developing TCS were young (average 35.4 years) and likely to have a vascular injury on presentation (57.7%). A tense and edematous thigh was the most consistent clinical exam finding leading to compartment release (69.5%). Average time from admission to the operating room was 18 +/- 4.3 hours and 8/23 (34.8%) were noted to have ischemic muscle changes at the time of release. Half of those patients (4/8) developed local complications requiring limb amputations. CONCLUSION: TCS is often associated with high energy trauma and is difficult to diagnose in uncooperative, obtunded and multiply injured patients. Vascular injuries are a common underlying cause and require prompt recognition and a multidisciplinary approach including the trauma and orthopaedic surgeons, intensive care team, vascular surgery and interventional radiology. Prompt recognition and treatment of TCS are paramount to avoid the catastrophic acute and long term morbidities.

Thigh compartment syndrome, presentation and complications.

To describe the patient population, etiology, and complications associated with thigh compartment syndrome (TCS). TCS is a rare (0.3% of trauma patients) condition of elevated pressure within a constrained space that may cause necrosis of all tissues within the compartment resulting in severe local (infection, amputation) and systemic complications (renal insufficiency, even death). Retrospective cohort This study examines the course of treatment of nine consecutive patients with thigh compartment syndrome sustained during an eight-year period at our Level 1 trauma centre, admitting more than 2,000 trauma patients yearly. Patients developing TCS were young (average 34.8 years) and likely to have a vascular injury on presentation (55.5%). A tense and edematous thigh was the most consistent clinical exam finding prompting the compartment release (77.8%). Average time from admission to the operating room was 19.8 +/- 6 hours and 3/9 (33%) were noted to have ischemic muscle changes upon compartment releases. Complications ranging from infection to amputation developed in 4/9 (44.4%) patients. TCS is associated with high energy trauma and it is difficult to diagnose in non-cooperative -- obtunded and polytrauma patients. Vascular injuries are a common underlying cause and require prompt recognition and team work including surgical intensive care, interventional radiology, vascular and orthopaedic surgery in order to avoid severe medical and legal consequences.

Computer assisted orthopaedic surgery -- CAOS.

The use of computer navigation in orthopedic surgery allows for real time intraoperative feedback resulting in higher precision of bone cuts, better alignment of implants and extremities, easier fracture reductions, less radiation and better documentation than what is possible in classical orthopaedic procedures. There is no need for direct and repeated visualization of many anatomical landmarks (classical method) in order to have good intraoperative orientation. Navigation technology depicts anatomy and position of "smart tools" on the screen allowing for high surgical precision (smaller number of outliers from desired goal) and with less soft tissue dissection (minimally invasive surgery - MIS). As a result, there are more happy patients with less pain, faster recovery, better functional outcome and well positioned, long lasting implants. In general, navigation cases are longer on the average 10 to 20 minutes, special training is required and equipment is relatively expensive. CAOS applications in knee and hip joint replacement are discussed.

Advantages of submuscular bridge plating for complex pediatric femur fractures.

Conventional treatments of pediatric femoral shaft fractures may result in an unacceptable rate of complications, especially in complex fractures. These fractures include high-energy injuries resulting in unstable fracture patterns, fractures in the proximal or distal third, and fractures occurring in large or multiply injured children. Our goal was to evaluate whether a minimally invasive submuscular bridge plating technique provides stability for early functional treatment (without protective casting or bracing) and predictable healing. Fifty-one patients with an average age of 10 years were studied. Sixty-seven percent had high-energy injuries and 55% had unstable fracture patterns. With an average followup of 14.2 months, all fractures united with excellent clinical results. Two (4%) significant complications occurred: fracture of one 3.5-mm LC-DCP Ti plate, and refracture of a pathologic fracture after early plate removal. Four patients (8%) had a leg-length discrepancy ranging from 23-mm short to 10-mm long. The average operative time was 106 minutes, with average fluoroscopy time of 84 seconds. Procedures were done by 15 surgeons in five university medical centers. This technique offers the advantage of adequate stability for early functional treatment and predictable healing with maintenance of length and alignment for all pediatric femoral shaft fractures.