Second generation locked plating of proximal humerus fractures--a prospective multicentre observational study.

Surgical treatment of most displaced proximal humerus fractures is challenging due to osteoporosis. Locking plates are intended to provide superior mechanical stability. In a prospective multicentre study 131 patients were treated with second generation locked plating (NCB-PH, Zimmer, Inc.). The open procedure (n = 78) was performed using a deltopectoral approach; the minimally invasive technique (n = 53) involved percutaneous reduction and an anterolateral deltoid split approach. Clinical and radiological follow-up was obtained. Improvement in function (ROM) was statistically significant. Fracture type (AO) had the most significant impact on the incidence of complications. The most frequent complications detected were intra-articular screw perforation (15%) and secondary displacement (8%). Complication rate and functional outcome of the NCB-PH are comparable to reports in the literature. Not all problems are likely to be solved by this new generation of implants, i.e. secondary dislocation still occurred in 8% of our patients.

Clinical results for minimally invasive locked plating of proximal humerus fractures.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the minimally invasive treatment of fractures of the proximal humerus using the Non-Contact-Bridging (NCB) plate. The system allows secondary locking of screws to the plate with a locking cap and polyaxial (30 degrees radius) screw placement. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: University Level I trauma center. PATIENTS: Fifty-four patients with unstable fractures of the proximal humerus. INTERVENTION: Minimal anterolateral acromial approach to the proximal humerus, percutaneous fracture reduction, and minimally invasive application of the NCB plate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Constant Score and radiologic follow-up (anteroposterior and transscapular). Visual Analog Scale for subjective evaluation of pain and function. RESULTS: After 17 months, the average Constant Score was 66.8 points (87% of the age- and sex-related normal values). Implant-related complications (plate impingement, screw perforation into the glenohumeral joint, loosening of screws) occurred in nine cases (17%). The rate of avascular necrosis was low (5.5%) and no cases of nonunion were seen. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of the NCB is similar to other published methods of treatment for fractures of the proximal humerus and potentially provides a less invasive option for this problem. Complication rates and functional outcome in this series are comparable to the literature. An important factor in this technique is the process of percutaneous fracture reduction. The NCB plate is suitable for both a minimally invasive technique or standard open reduction and internal fixation through a deltopectoral approach; the surgeon must decide which approach is best for each particular fracture pattern and should be comfortable with both techniques.

Long-term results for the uncemented Zweymuller/Alloclassic hip endoprosthesis. A 15-year minimum follow-up of 320 hip operations.

A follow-up study of 15 (15-17) years of 320 consecutive Zweymuller total hip arthroplasties is presented. Age at surgery was 67 (29-99) years. A total of 164 (51.3%) patients had died. Clinical and radiological examinations were available for 97 (30.3%), phone interviews and radiological examinations for 4 (1.3%) hips, and phone follow-ups for 49 (15.3%). There were 6 (1.9%) patients who were lost to follow-up. The Harris Hip Score results in a median value of 88. According to the Kaplan-Meier method, a survival rate of the cup/inlay of 98% (95% confidence interval, 95%-99%) after 17 years was achieved. For the stem/head, the survival rate was 98% (95% confidence interval, 94%-99%). In 95.2% of patients, no operative revision was required. The rate of aseptic loosening was 2% for the acetabular and 1% for the femoral component.

Proximal cement fixation in total hip arthroplasty--first results with a new stem design.

Stem loosening and stress-shielding are problems encountered in cemented hip arthroplasty. Could proximal stem fixation by partial cementing solve the problem? More physiological transmission of forces with only proximal cement fixation seems to be possible with this recent development (Z-stem, Option 3000, Mathys Orthopaedics, Bettlach, Switzerland). In a prospective clinical trial, this new implant was used for total hip arthroplasty in human patients. One hundred and thirty-three (133) total hip replacements in 123 patients were performed between April 1996 and January 2003. All of them were followed up regularly; 53 were analysed with the EBRA-FCA method (Einzel Bild Röntgen Analyse--femoral component analysis), whereas the rest were analysed using conventional follow-up X-rays. Eighty-six (86) patients with 95 hips could be examined in August 2004 to obtain mid-term results. At this stage, the mean follow-up time was 61 months (5.08 years), with a maximum of 100 months (8.33 years). Up to October 2004, nine cases needed a revision. The clinical data collected reported an average Harris Hip Score of 89.3 (good). The EBRA-FCA analysis reported a mean subsidence of less than 1.5 mm after the first two years, under the EBRA threshold of predicted loosening. At the latest follow-up (at an average of 61 months), there was an average stable subsidence of 2.4 mm in general. Eight (8) patients presented with subsidence of more than 5 mm. The results of the new implant seem to be encouraging. Finally, comparing our results to other fixation concepts will require longer follow-up periods.

Minimally invasive application of the non-contact-bridging (NCB) plate to the proximal humerus: an anatomical study.

OBJECTIVES: To describe a minimal anterolateral acromial approach for minimally invasive (MI) treatment of fractures of the proximal humerus (PH) with the Non-Contact-Bridging (NCB) plate. DESIGN: 1) Cadaver study and 2) clinical case series. SETTING: 1) University Institute of Anatomy and the 2) University Level I trauma center. SPECIMENS/PATIENTS: 1) Ten fresh frozen human humeri and 2) 22 patients with 22 isolated proximal humeral fractures. INTERVENTION: 1) Minimal anterolateral acromial approach with MI application of the NCB-PH plate followed by dissection of the axillary nerve and 2) MI fracture fixation using this approach and technique of plate insertion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 1) Integrity of the axillary nerve and evaluation of its relationship to the implant, and 2) early postoperative functional results. RESULTS: In the cadaver study, the nerve directly crossed over the percutaneously inserted plate in all the arms. The nerve then divided into two branches anterior to the plate in eight arms and divided into two branches directly over the plate in two arms. One branch of the axillary nerve in one arm was injured. In the clinical case series, no intraoperative complications relating to the approach or the implant occurred. No symptoms of axillary nerve lesion have been detected so far in the early follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The minimal anterolateral acromial approach is suitable for MI technique to apply the NCB-PH. The relationship of the axillary nerve to the plate is anatomically close. We recommend that strict bone contact be maintained during plate insertion and that screw insertion complies with the guidelines provided for this technique. In a small clinical cases series, the plate and screws were inserted in accordance with these guidelines and no axillary nerve lesions have yet been detected.

Effects of diclofenac on periosteal callus maturation in osteotomy healing in an animal model.

INTRODUCTION: Potential adverse effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on bone metabolism and fracture healing are contradictive to their wide application in post-traumatic treatment. Our objective was to investigate changes to periosteal callus formation with respect to NSAID and central analgesic drug application. Our hypothesis was that callus formation is delayed in animals treated with the non-specific NSAID diclofenac. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The left tibia of forty male Wistar rats were osteotomized, stabilized with a Kirschner wire, and randomized into four groups of ten animals. Group 1 received a placebo, group 2 received the central analgesic tramadol (20 mg/kg per day) throughout the study, and groups 3 and 4 were treated with sodium diclofenac (5 mg/kg per day). Group 3 received diclofenac for seven days, followed by placebo until sacrifice (short-term), while group 4 animals received diclofenac for the full period (long-term). Animals were sacrificed 21 days after osteotomy. RESULTS: Under light microscopy, all osteotomies healed successfully and independently of the drug treatment. Histomorphometry revealed delayed callus maturation in long-term diclofenac treated animals, with significantly higher amounts of cartilage and less bone, particularly in the outermost region of periosteal callus. Short-term NSAID and tramadol application did not significantly alter callus differentiation. CONCLUSION: Callus maturation in vivo was impaired after long-term application of diclofenac which corresponds to the in vitro findings of a dose-dependent effect of NSAIDs on osteoblast proliferation.

Comparison of the relative benefits of 2 versus 10 days of soft collar cervical immobilization after acute whiplash injury.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of 2-day and 10-day immobilization of the cervical spine on pain, range of motion (ROM), and disability of patients with Quebec Task Force (QTF) grade II whiplash injuries. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: University hospital emergency department. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy patients with acute QTF grade II whiplash injuries. INTERVENTIONS: At the intake examination within 24 hours after the whiplash trauma, the patients were randomized to 2 therapy groups (2-d or 10-d immobilization with a soft cervical collar). All patients received pain drugs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and after 7 days, all patients started a standardized physiotherapy program 2 to 3 times a week. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients' pain and disability scores were assessed using visual analog scales and ROM was assessed using a goniometer. All parameters were measured within 24 hours after injury and after 2 and 6 months. RESULTS: After 2 months, the different periods of immobilization (2d or 10d) were associated with comparable improvements in pain symptoms (median, 4.60 vs 4.65), ROM (median, 100.0 degrees vs 117.5 degrees ), and disability score (median, 4.90 vs 5.15). No statistically significant differences could be identified between the 2 treatment groups. After 6 months, persistent pain was reported by 4 patients in each group (12.5%). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with QTF grade II whiplash injuries, there is no short- or long-term difference between 2-day and 10-day immobilization with a cervical collar in terms of pain, ROM, or disability.

Ankle arthrodesis using Ilizarov ring fixators: a review of 22 cases.

BACKGROUND: Orthopaedic surgeons are being increasingly confronted with complex ankle problems that cannot be reliably treated by conventional arthrodesis procedures. The Ilizarov technique can be an alternative salvage method in such cases. METHODS: Twenty-two Ilizarov tibiotalar arthrodeses were retrospectively reviewed. There were 16 men and six women (mean age 49 years). The underlying pathology was infection after internal fixation of ankle or plafond fractures in 16 patients, posttraumatic ankle arthritis in five, and septic arthritis after an infected Achilles tendon repair in one. Five patients had at least one failed previous arthrodesis. Primary iliac crest bone grafting was done in two patients. Proximal tibial lengthening was done in six patients. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients were followed for an average of 29 months. A solid fusion was achieved in all patients by the end of treatment. The external fixation time averaged 27.7 (range 12 to 84) weeks. The mean time spent in a foot frame was 22.3 weeks. Complications occurred in 11 patients, including two nonunions that healed after revision and renewed frame application and four pin track infections. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the Ilizarov frame provides a successful salvage method that offers solid bony fusion, optimal leg length, and eradication of infection in complex ankle pathology or failed previous arthrodesis.

Limb malalignment and functional outcome after antegrade versus retrograde intramedullary nailing in distal femoral fractures.

BACKGROUND: Torsional malalignment and mechanical axis deviation (MAD) are worrisome complications after nailing of distal femoral fractures. Variable, sometimes contradictory, reports about these problems have been published. METHODS: In a retrospective nonrandomized study, 41 patients (mean age, 44.5 years) with distal third femoral fractures that were operatively treated using either antegrade (20 cases) or retrograde (21 cases) intramedullary nailing during a period of 2 years have been reviewed. Goniometric measurement was done using a navigated ultrasound examination whereas functional evaluation and return to sports were assessed using Merle d'Aubigné functional grading system and Tegner and Lysholm activity score. RESULTS: There was no difference in femoral length, torsion, or MAD between patients treated using antegrade nails and those treated with a retrograde nail. There was a greater limitation of knee motion with retrograde nailing and of hip motion with antegrade nailing. The functional grading and activity evaluation showed, however, no difference between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The study cohort showed that no treatment method had proved an advantage over the other regarding limb geometry or the functional outcome. The proper operative indication, intraoperative control, and the surgeon's experience seem to be more important in this regard than the nailing technique.

Does computer-assisted spine surgery reduce intraoperative radiation doses?

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. OBJECTIVE: Computer-assisted surgery (CAS) means improved accuracy in inserting screws. Usually the required time of the intraoperative use of a C-arm device is reduced. The aim of the study was to quantify the radiation doses during spine surgery in different types of computer-assisted surgical procedures (i.e., computerized tomography [CT] based and C-arm) compared to standard methods and, as a new technique, the Iso-C3D C-arm (Siemens, GER). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: A total of 38 individuals were enrolled in the study, including 8 who underwent standard spine surgery, 10 with CT-based, 9 with C-arm based, and 11 with Iso-C3D C-arm based. The thermoluminescence dosimetry measurements were 2 at the radiation source, 2 at the patient, and 2 at the receiver. METHODS: This study is based on the thermoluminescence method. A total of 38 individuals were enrolled in the study. Despite the small number of patients, the existing results up until now showed a clear reduction of the duration of radiation time using CAS compared to standard methods in spine surgery. Much more important is the fact that the radiation doses were clearly reduced from a median of 1091 mGy using the standard procedure versus 432 mGy in CT-based and 664 mGy in C-arm based guided surgery. The Iso-C3D C-arm showed a median of 152 mGy. RESULTS: The duration of radiation was reduced from 177 seconds in the standard spine procedure to 75 seconds in CT-based CAS spine intervention. Comparing the different types of CAS application at the spine, the Iso-C3D C-arm based surgery is the method with the lowest duration of radiation. The radiation doses at the C-arm tube (source) are reduced from a median of 1091 mGy in the standard procedure versus 432 mGy in CT-based and 664 mGy in C-arm based guided surgery. In this study, the median dose of an Iso-C3D C-arm was 152 mGy. CONCLUSION: These findings are important for the operating room personnel, which is exposed daily to radiation intraoperatively, as well as the patients, when using CAS procedures.

Injuries of the cervical spine in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: experience at two trauma centers.

OBJECT: The cervical spine in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) (Bechterew disease) is exposed to maximal risk due to physical load. Even minor trauma can cause fractures because of the spine's poor elasticity (so-called bamboo spine). The authors conducted a study to determine the characteristics of cervical fractures in patients with AS to describe the standard procedures in the treatment of this condition at two trauma centers and to discuss complications of and outcomes after treatment. METHODS: Between 1990 and 2006, 37 patients were surgically treated at two institutions. All patients were examined preoperatively and when being discharged from the hospital for rehabilitation. Single-session (11 cases) and two-session anterior-posterior (13 cases), anterior (11 cases), posterior (two cases), and laminectomy (one case) procedures were performed. The injury pattern, segments involved, the pre- and postoperative neurological status, and complications were analyzed. Preoperative neurological deficits were present in 36 patients. All patients experienced improvement postoperatively, and there was no case of surgery-related neurological deterioration. In patients in whom treatment was delayed because of late diagnosis, preoperative neurological deficits were more severe and improvement worse than those treated earlier. The causes of three deaths were respiratory distress syndrome due to a rigid thorax and cerebral ischemia due to rupture of the vertebral arteries. There were 12 perioperative complications (32%), three infections, one deep venous thrombosis, five early implant failures, and the three aforementioned fatalities. There were no cases of epidural hematoma. In all five cases in which early implant failure required revision surgery, the initial stabilization procedure had been anterior only. A comparison of complications and the outcomes at the two centers revealed no significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: The standard intervention for these injuries is open reduction, anterior decompression and fusion, and anterior-posterior stabilization; these procedures may be conducted in one or two stages. Based on the early implant failures that occurred exclusively after single-session anterior stabilizations (five of 10--a failure rate of 50%), the authors have performed only posterior and anterior procedures since 1997 at both centers. Diagnostic investigations include computed tomography scanning or magnetic resonance imaging of the whole spine, because additional injuries are common. The causative trauma may be very slight, and diagnosis may be delayed because plain radiographs can be initially misinterpreted. In cases in which diagnosis is delayed, patients present with more severe neurological deficits, and postoperative improvement is less pronounced than that in patients in whom a prompt diagnosis is established. Because of postoperative pulmonary and ischemic complications, the mortality rate is high. In the present series the mortality rate was lower than the mean rate reported in the literature.

Hybrid external fixation for arthrodesis in knee sepsis.

Several techniques for knee fusion have been described with success rates ranging from 29% to 100%, with worse results occurring in patients with joint sepsis. We treated 21 patients with persistent infections using knee arthrodesis with a hybrid Ilizarov frame at our institution. There were 13 men and eight women ranging from 21 to 75 years (mean, 49.7 years). Sixteen patients had chronic osteomyelitis and five had previous fusion trials. Two patients required bone transport using the same arthrodesis frame. We corrected associated malalignment in three patients. Solid knee fusion was achieved in all but one patient after a mean external fixation time of 22.7 weeks (range, 11-47 weeks). Limb shortening averaged 2.8 cm (range, 1.5-5 cm). No patients required secondary bone grafting to achieve fusion. Nine patients had complications develop, three of whom required reresection and frame application to treat persistent infection or delayed union. Our results emphasize the clinical success of using the Ilizarov fixator for knee arthrodesis after persistent sepsis.

Qualitative and quantitative accuracy of CAOS in a standardized in vitro spine model.

Pedicle breach with screw implantation is relatively common. For clinical application of computer-assisted orthopaedic surgery, it is important to quantitatively know the accuracy and localization of any guidance modality. We ascertained the accuracy of computed tomography and C-arm-based navigated drilling versus conventional fluoroscopy using an artificial thoracic and lumbar spine model. The 3.2-mm diameter transpedicle drilling target was the center of a 4-mm steel ball fixed in the anterior left pedicle axis. After drilling, we used computed tomography to verify the position of the steel ball and the canal and visually explored for cortex perforation. Quantitative vector calculation showed computed tomography-based navigation had the greatest accuracy (median, d(thoracic) = 1.4 mm; median, d(lumbar) = 1.8 mm) followed by C-arm navigation (median, d(thoracic) = 2.6 mm; median, d(lumbar) = 2 mm) and the conventional procedure (median, d(thoracic) = 2.2 mm; median, d(lumbar) = 2.7 mm). Visual examination showed a decreased perforation rate in navigated drillings. We found no correlation between pedicle breaches and inaccurate drilling. The data suggest computer-assisted orthopaedic surgery cannot provide sub-millimeter accuracy, and complete prevention of pedicle perforation is not realistic.

Circular external fixation in knee arthrodesis following septic trauma sequelae: preliminary report.

Deep infection is one of the most devastating complications after knee fractures. It may be related to the initial fracture status or, more commonly, the surgical intervention. From 1991 to 2003, 12 patients underwent knee fusion to treat resistant infection after complex knee fractures or arthrodesis fractures using the Ilizarov method and frame. There were 9 men and 3 women (mean age, 39.7 years). Two-thirds of the patients had long-standing infection and 5 patients had undergone earlier attempts at knee arthrodesis. Correction of concurrent malalignment was achieved in 2 patients. Bone transport using the same arthrodesis frame was necessary in 2 patients to overcome large bony defects. Solid fusion was achieved in all patients by the end of treatment. The average duration of external fixation was 22 weeks (range: 11-44 weeks). No patients required secondary bone grafting to achieve union. Complications occurred in 6 (50%) patients. The most common problem seen was pin tract infection, but only 2 patients required surgical intervention for its treatment. The study emphasizes the clinical success of the Ilizarov method in knee arthrodesis after infected fractures.

The pulmonary and hepatic immune microenvironment and its contribution to the early systemic inflammation following blunt chest trauma.

OBJECTIVE: Blunt chest trauma is accompanied by an early increase in plasma cytokine concentrations. However, the local sources of these mediators are poorly defined. We investigated the impact of blunt chest trauma on the inflammatory mediator milieu in different compartments (lung tissue, bronchoalveolar lavage, liver tissue, Kupffer cells, plasma) along with the time course of trauma-induced pulmonary endothelial barrier dysfunction to elucidate potential relationships. In addition, the correlation between intratracheally instilled interleukin-6 and its systemic release were studied. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled animal study. SETTING: Basic science laboratory of a university affiliated level 1 trauma center. SUBJECTS: Male C3H/HeN mice, 8-9 wks old, n = 141. INTERVENTIONS: Blunt chest trauma induced by a focused blast wave, intravenous injection of Evans blue, and intratracheal instillation of recombinant human interleukin-6. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Two hours after blunt chest trauma, plasma interleukin-6 was markedly increased. Simultaneously, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, macrophage inflammatory protein-2, monocyte chemotactic polypeptide-1 and neutrophil/monocyte accumulation in bronchoalveolar lavage and interleukin-6, monocyte chemotactic polypeptide-1, and myeloperoxidase activity in lung tissue were significantly increased. This was accompanied by a coinciding elevation in the Evans blue lung-plasma ratio. Recombinant human interleukin-6, instilled intratracheally before blunt chest trauma, was detected in a dose-dependent manner in the plasma of the mice. Additionally, Kupffer cell interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-10 production was significantly augmented as early as 30 mins after the insult. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that early increased cytokine concentrations in the lung, particularly interleukin-6, are important mediator sources as their local peak coincides with the systemic inflammatory response and is accompanied by a simultaneous impaired function of the pulmonary endothelial barrier. A direct relationship between their local and systemic concentrations can be established. Furthermore, this is the first study to show that Kupffer cells are activated early after blunt chest trauma.

Bone formation in a long bone defect model using a platelet-rich plasma-loaded collagen scaffold.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a platelet concentrate made of autogenous blood, has been used in recent years to improve bone defect healing particularly in maxillofacial reconstructions. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of PRP on new bone formation in a critical diaphyseal long bone defect. A critical size defect (2.5 cm) in the tibial diaphysis of 16 sheep was supplied either with autogenous PRP in a collagen carrier or with collagen alone (controls). Platelets were enriched about 3.5 fold compared to normal blood in the PRP. After 12 weeks, the explanted bone specimens were quantitatively assessed by X-ray, computed tomography (CT), biomechanical testing and histological evaluation. Bone volume, mineral density, mechanical rigidity and histology of the newly formed bone in the defect did not differ significantly between the PRP treated and the control group, and no effect of PRP upon bone formation was observed. It was suggested that PRP does not enhance new bone formation in a critical size defect with a low regenerative potential. Such bone defects might require more potent stimuli, e.g. combinations of functional biomaterials or autografts, precursor cells or osteoinductive growth factors.

Biomechanical in vitro comparison of different mono- and bisegmental anterior procedures with regard to the strategy for fracture stabilisation using minimally invasive techniques.

Endoscopic minimally invasive techniques have become an established method of fracture stabilisation in the spine. In view of this fact, anterior stabilisation strategies must be reconsidered, as monosegmental A 3.1 compression fractures are increasingly being stabilised endoscopically from the anterior aspect using minimally invasive techniques. This study investigated the biomechanical necessity of anterior two-point or four-point stabilisation in the instrumentation of mono- and bisegmental fractures. In three biomechanical in vitro studies, burst fracture stabilisation was simulated, and anterior short fixation devices were tested under load with pure moments up to 3.75 Nm to evaluate the biomechanical stabilising characteristics of different kinds of instrumentations in flexion/extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation. Only anterior four-point stabilisation resulted in sufficient primary stability both in mono- and bisegmental instrumentation and therefore represents the standard procedure in open as well as in minimally invasive spinal surgery.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the perioperative phase in traumatology and orthopedics effects on bone healing.

OBJECTIVE: To achieve analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects in traumatology and orthopedic surgery without side effects or with the least possible side effects, with special emphasis on bone healing. INDICATIONS: Acute and chronic inflammatory conditions, e. g., rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis. Degenerative joint disease. Posttraumatic and postoperative pain, edema, or fever. Prevention of heterotopic bone formation. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Hypersensitivity. Gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding. Severe hepatic or renal impairment. RESULTS: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are invaluable in treating a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. As well as their excellent analgesic potency their anti-inflammatory effects are beneficial in treating posttraumatic and postoperative edema. In addition, NSAIDs inhibit heterotopic bone formation after hip arthroplasty. Animal studies, however, have demonstrated that they cause delayed fracture healing. Although clinical studies have not yet supplied unequivocal evidence of this effect in human subjects, the authors recommend that in the presence of other risk factors which may adversely affect fracture healing, such as smoking, diabetes mellitus or peripheral arterial occlusive disease, the indication of NSAID use for analgesia should be strictly limited. Therapeutic alternatives such as centrally acting agents (e. g., weak opioids) should be considered in these patients.

Pulmonary contusion causes impairment of macrophage and lymphocyte immune functions and increases mortality associated with a subsequent septic challenge.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: Pulmonary contusion is frequently followed by acute respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, and sepsis. However, immunologic alterations of circulating and resident immune cell populations contributing to the posttraumatic immunosuppression are poorly understood. We therefore characterized the influence of pulmonary contusion on peripheral blood mononuclear cells, peritoneal macrophages, splenocytes, and splenic macrophages. To address the significance of the immunosuppression associated with lung contusion, we investigated how the consecutive addition of moderate or severe sepsis affected survival after blunt chest trauma. SUBJECTS: Male C3H/HeN mice (n = 10 per group) were anesthetized and subjected to chest trauma or sham procedure. MEASUREMENTS: The cytokine release of cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells, peritoneal macrophages, splenocytes, and splenic macrophages and plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 from those animals were quantified. Sepsis was induced via cecal ligation and puncture 24 hrs after lung contusion. MAIN RESULTS: Two hours after blunt chest trauma, plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 were markedly increased, as was peripheral blood mononuclear cell cytokine production, lung myeloperoxidase activity, and lung chemokine concentrations. At 24 hrs and, in part, already at 2 hrs, cytokine release from peritoneal macrophages, splenic macrophages, and splenocytes was significantly suppressed. Furthermore, pulmonary contusion when followed by moderate sepsis significantly diminished survival rate when compared with chest trauma or moderate sepsis alone. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that pulmonary contusion causes severe immunodysfunction of splenocytes, macrophages, and monocytes in different local compartments and systemically. Moreover, this immunosuppression is associated with an increased susceptibility to infectious complications, which results in a decreased survival rate if blunt chest trauma is followed by a septic insult.

The effectiveness of physiotherapy after operative treatment of supracondylar humeral fractures in children.

The indications for physiotherapy after supracondylar humeral fractures in children are not clear in the literature, even in the presence of an active or passive limitation of elbow joint motion. The authors therefore performed a prospective randomized study to assess the effectiveness of physiotherapy in improving the elbow range of motion after such fractures. The authors studied two groups of 21 and 22 children with supracondylar humeral fractures Felsenreich types II and III, all without associated neurovascular deficits. All children were treated by open reduction and internal fixation with Kirschner wires inserted from the radial side of the humerus. Postoperative follow-up at 12 and 18 weeks showed a significantly better elbow range of motion in the group with weekly physiotherapy, but there was no difference in elbow motion after 1 year. In each group, one child had an extension deficit of 15 or 20 degrees. The authors conclude that postoperative physiotherapy is unnecessary in children with supracondylar humeral fractures without associated neurovascular injuries.