Cytotoxicity of novel hybrid composite materials for making bone fracture plates.

Bone fracture plates are usually made from steel or titanium, which are much stiffer than cortical bone. This may cause bone 'stress shielding' (i.e. bone resorption leading to plate loosening) and delayed fracture healing (i.e. fracture motion is less than needed to stimulate callus formation at the fracture). Thus, the authors previously designed, fabricated, and mechanically tested novel 'hybrid' composites made from inorganic and organic materials as potential bone fracture plates that are more flexible to reduce these negative effects. This is the first study to measure the cytotoxicity of these composites via the survival of rat cells. Cubes of carbon fiber/flax fiber/epoxy and glass fiber/flax fiber/epoxy had better cell survival vs. Kevlar fiber/flax fiber/epoxy (57% and 58% vs. 50%). Layers and powders made of carbon fiber/epoxy and glass fiber/epoxy had higher cell survival than Kevlar fiber/epoxy (96%-100% and 100% vs. 39%-90%). The presence of flax fibers usually decreased cell survival. Thus, carbon and glass fiber composites (with or without flax fibers), but not Kevlar fiber composites (with or without flax fibers), may potentially be used for bone fracture plates.

Fasciotomy and rate of amputation after tibial fracture in adults: a population-based cohort study.

Objectives: Limb amputation is a possible outcome of acute compartment syndrome. We undertook this study to investigate the occurrence of fasciotomy and amputation in patients with tibial fractures in the Ontario adult population, aiming to evaluate variables that may be associated with each of these outcomes. Design: Retrospective, population-based cohort study (April 1, 2003-March 31, 2016). Setting: Canadian province of Ontario. Participants: Patients with tibial fracture, aged 14 years and older. Interventions: Fasciotomy after tibial fracture. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcomes were fasciotomy and amputation within 1 year of fasciotomy. Secondary outcomes included repeat surgery, new-onset renal failure, and mortality, all within 30 days of fasciotomy. Results: We identified 76,299 patients with tibial fracture; the mean (SD) age was 47 (21) years. Fasciotomy was performed in 1303 patients (1.7%); of these, 76% were male and 24% female. Patients who were younger, male, or experienced polytrauma were significantly more likely to undergo fasciotomy. Limb amputation occurred in 4.3% of patients undergoing fasciotomy, as compared with 0.5% in those without fasciotomy; older age, male sex, presence of polytrauma, and fasciotomy were associated with an increased risk of amputation (age odds ratio [OR] of 1.03 [95% CI, 1.02-1.03], P < 0.0001; sex OR of 2.04 [95% CI, 1.63-2.55], P < 0.0001; polytrauma OR of 9.37 [95% CI, 7.64-11.50], P < 0.0001; fasciotomy OR of 4.35 [95% CI, 3.21-5.90], P < 0.0001), as well as repeat surgery within 30 days (sex OR of 1.54 [95% CI, 1.14-2.07], P = 0.0053; polytrauma OR of 4.24 [95% CI, 3.33-5.38], P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Among tibial fracture patients, those who were male and who experienced polytrauma were at significantly higher risk of undergoing fasciotomy and subsequent amputation. Fasciotomy was also significantly associated with risk of amputation, a finding that is likely reflective of the severity of the initial injury.

Postfasciotomy Classification System for Acute Compartment Syndrome of the Leg.

OBJECTIVE: Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) is a true emergency. Even with urgent fasciotomy, there is often muscle damage and need for further surgery. Although ACS is not uncommon, no validated classification system exists to aid in efficient and clear communication. The aim of this study was to establish and validate a classification system for the consequences of ACS treated with fasciotomy. METHODS: Using a modified Delphi method, an international panel of ACS experts was assembled to establish a grading scheme for the disease and then validate the classification system. The goal was to articulate discrete grades of ACS related to fasciotomy findings and associated costs. A pilot analysis was used to determine questions that were clear to the respondents. Discussion of this analysis resulted in another round of cases used for 24 other raters. The 24 individuals implemented the classification system 2 separate times to compare outcomes for 32 clinical cases. The accuracy and reproducibility of the classification system were subsequently calculated based on the providers' responses. RESULTS: The Fleiss Kappa of all raters was at 0.711, showing a strong agreement between the 24 raters. Secondary validation was performed for paired 276 raters and correlation was tested using the Kendall coefficient. The median correlation coefficient was 0.855. All 276 pairs had statistically significant correlation. Correlation coefficient between the first and second rating sessions was strong with the median pair scoring at 0.867. All surgeons had statistically significant internal consistency. CONCLUSION: This new ACS classification system may be applied to better understand the impact of ACS on patient outcomes and economic costs for leg ACS.

Compartment Syndrome: The Issues and Solutions You Need to Know About.

The diagnosis and management of compartment syndrome remains challenging and controversial. There continues to be a significant burden of disease and substantial resource implications associated with fractures complicated by compartment syndrome. Achieving consensus opinions regarding the diagnosis and treatment of this problem has important implications given the profound effect on patient outcomes.

Evaluation of a tiered operating room strategy at an academic centre: comparing high-efficiency and conventional operating rooms.

BACKGROUND: Wait times for many elective orthopedic surgical procedures in Ontario have become unacceptably long and substantially exceed the recommended guidelines. As a consequence, many patients experience chronic pain, disability and other poor health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to test a novel, resource-saving redesign of outpatient operating room (OR) services, based on tiered grouping of surgical cases, to maximize health benefits for patients while improving efficiency and decreasing wait times. METHODS: This prospective cohort study enrolled adult patients scheduled to undergo unilateral lower limb procedures that had a low requirement for surgical resources and did not require admission to the hospital (ambulatory surgical services) at an academic hospital. Patients were randomly assigned to a conventional OR group or a high-efficiency (tiered) OR group, in which the intensity of surgical, anesthesia and nursing resources was matched to the procedure and the patient's health status. The tiered OR made use of local anesthesia and a block room rather than general anesthesia. Primary outcomes were costs of surgical services provided and patient health outcomes; secondary outcomes were patient and staff satisfaction with each OR setup. RESULTS: The costs associated with the high-efficiency OR were 60% lower than those associated with the conventional OR (this was primarily due to the streamlining of OR care and elimination of the need to use a postanesthetic care unit), with the same or equivalent patient health outcomes. No differences in patient and staff satisfaction were found between the 2 setups. CONCLUSION: The use of tiered, ambulatory services for elective orthopedic surgery does not compromise health outcomes and patient satisfaction, and it is associated with substantial cost savings.

Factors Predictive of Early Complications Following Total Ankle Arthroplasty.

Background: The safety of outpatient total ankle arthroplasty (TAA), and factors predictive of early complications are poorly understood. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of early complications in patients undergoing outpatient TAA compared to a matched inpatient TAA cohort. Factors predictive of early complications following TAA are elucidated. Methods: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data from the 2011-2018 American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database was performed. An unadjusted analysis comparing complication rates in outpatient, and inpatient TAA was performed followed by a propensity score-matched cohort analysis. A multivariate logistic regression model was then used to identify significant independent predictors for complications, reoperation, and readmission following TAA. Results: A total of 1487 patients (198 outpatient, 1289 inpatient) undergoing TAA were included in the study. Inpatient TAA was associated with increased 30-day readmission compared with outpatient TAA (3.54% vs 0.51%, P = .032) in a matched cohort analysis. Thirty-eight (2.6%) patients had a minor complication, with 16 (1.1%) patients having a major complication after TAR. Nineteen (1.3%) patients underwent reoperation, and 42 (2.8%) patients were readmitted within 30 days of the index TAR. Multivariate analysis identified factors predictive of early complications to include length of stay (LOS) >2 days, smoking, hypertension, bleeding disorders, and diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: From this relatively limited data set, outpatient TAA appears to be safe for management of end-stage ankle arthritis in select patients. Inpatient status was associated with an increased rate of 30-day readmission following TAA. Postoperative length of stay >2 days, smoking, hypertension, bleeding disorders, and diabetes mellitus were identified to be associated with early postoperative complications following TAA in this cohort. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Cost and safety of inpatient versus outpatient open reduction internal fixation of isolated ankle fractures.

BACKGROUND: As health care shifts to value-based models, one strategy within orthopedics has been to transition appropriate cases to outpatient or ambulatory settings to reduce costs; however, there are limited data on the efficacy and safety of this practice for isolated ankle fractures. The purpose of this study was to compare the cost and safety associated with inpatient versus outpatient ankle open reduction internal fixation (ORIF). METHODS: All patients who underwent ORIF of isolated closed ankle fractures at 2 affiliated hospitals between April 2016 and March 2017 were identified retrospectively. Demographic characteristics, including age, gender, comorbidities and injuryspecific variables, were collected. We grouped patients based on whether they underwent ankle ORIF as an inpatient or outpatient. We determined case costing for all patients and analyzed it using multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 196 patients (125 inpatient, 71 outpatient) were included for analysis. Inpatients had a significantly longer mean length of stay than outpatients (54.3 h [standard deviation (SD) 36.3 h] v. 7.5 h [SD 1.7 h], p < 0.001). The average cost was significantly higher for the inpatient cohort than the outpatient cohort ($4137 [SD $2285] v. $1834 [SD $421], p < 0.001). There were more unimalleolar ankle fractures in the outpatient group than in the inpatient group (42 [59.2%] v. 41 [32.8%], p < 0.001). Outpatients waited longer for surgery than inpatients (9.6 d [SD 5.6 d] v. 2.0 d [SD 3.3 d], p < 0.001). Fourteen patients (11.2%) in the inpatient group presented to the emergency department or were readmitted to hospital within 30 days of discharge, compared to 5 (7.0%) in the outpatient group (p = 0.3). CONCLUSION: In the treatment of isolated closed ankle fractures, outpatient surgery was associated with a significant reduction in length of hospital stay and overall case cost compared to inpatient surgery, with no significant difference in readmission or reoperation rates. In medically appropriate patients, isolated ankle ORIF can be performed safely in an ambulatory setting and is associated with significant cost savings.

Preoperative photography improves patient satisfaction following hallux valgus surgery.

BACKGROUND: Patient satisfaction is variable following hallux valgus (HV) surgery. This prospective, blinded, randomized trial endeavored to determine whether showing patients a preoperative photograph would improve satisfaction following HV corrective surgery. METHODS: Adult patients undergoing HV surgery were randomized to a picture group (P) or a no picture group (NP). P-group patients were shown their preoperative photograph for 5 min at each postoperative visit. Outcome measures included the Foot Function Index (FFI), the Foot Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), and a patient satisfaction questionnaire. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were enrolled in the study (15P, 14 NP). At 3, and 6 months postoperatively, patients in the P-group were more likely to be completely satisfied with the appearance of their foot. There were no differences between groups with respect to postoperative HVA, IMA, or FFI, and FAOS scores. CONCLUSION: Patient satisfaction is increased following hallux valgus corrective surgery by reminding patients of the preoperative appearance of their foot through the use of photographs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, randomized control trial.

Early radiographic outcomes following deltoid ligament repair in bimalleolar equivalent ankle fractures.

BACKGROUND: Indications for deltoid ligament repair in bimalleolar equivalent ankle fractures are unclear. This study compared radiographic outcomes in bimalleolar equivalent ankle fractures undergoing open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) +/- deltoid ligament repair. METHODS: A retrospective review of 1024 ankle fractures was performed. Bimalleolar equivalent injuries treated with ORIF +/- deltoid ligament repair were included. Radiographic assessment was performed preoperatively, and at three months postoperatively. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-seven ankle fractures met inclusion criteria with 46 undergoing deltoid ligament repairs. There was a significant decrease in medial clear space (1.93 ± 0.65 mm vs. 2.26 ± 0.64 mm, p = 0.01), and tibiofibular clear space (3.89 ± 1.20 mm vs. 4.87 ± 1.37 mm, p = 0.0001) at 3 months postoperative in the deltoid repair group compared to the no repair group. When syndesmotic fixation was performed, there were no differences between groups. CONCLUSION: Deltoid ligament repair in bimalleolar equivalent ankle fractures resulted in reduced medial clear space, and tibiofibular clear space in the early postoperative period. These differences were small and remained within established normal limits. LEVEL OF CLINICAL EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

High-Energy Transsyndesmotic Ankle Fracture Dislocation-Injury Characteristics, Radiographic Outcomes, and Factors Affecting the Rate of Posttraumatic Arthritis in Logsplitter Injuries.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate patient demographics, injury characteristics, radiographic outcomes, and identify risk factors for developing posttraumatic arthritis in high-energy transsyndesmotic ankle fracture dislocations or "logsplitter" injuries. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Academic level one trauma center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-seven adult patients with logsplitter injuries. INTERVENTION: All patients were treated with open reduction internal fixation, with possible addition of syndesmosis screw(s) and deltoid repair. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The rate of posttraumatic arthritis at one year along with rate and reasons for reoperation. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients were included with a mean follow-up of 14.5 ± 12.5 months. At one-year postoperative, 14 of the 20 patients (70%) demonstrated posttraumatic arthritis. Two patients (7.4%) went onto fusion. The reoperation rate was 51.9%. There was no significant difference in the arthritis rate with the number of syndesmosis screws used, quality of reduction, or addition of deltoid repair. CONCLUSIONS: The logsplitter injury is one with devastating outcomes and high rates of arthritis; it should be considered separately from conventional ankle fractures. The role of deltoid repair remains unclear. Further study of this injury pattern is required. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Rigid intramedullary nail fixation of traumatic femoral fractures in the skeletally immature.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the rate of femoral head osteonecrosis, and other complications following rigid intramedullary (IM) nail fixation of traumatic diaphyseal femur fractures through the greater trochanter in the skeletally immature. DESIGN: Retrospective review, case series. SETTING: Level I academic trauma center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: One hundred forty-eight traumatic pediatric diaphyseal femur fractures in 145 patients treated with rigid IM nail fixation from November 1, 2004 to December 31, 2018. INTERVENTION: Rigid intramedullary nail fixation of traumatic diaphyseal femur fractures through a trochanteric start point in the skeletally immature. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: Rate of osteonecrosis of the femoral head. RESULTS: Sixty-five fractures in 64 skeletally immature patients met inclusion criteria. Motor vehicle collisions were implicated in 32 fractures. Of the 65 fractures, 5 were open. All rigid IM nails were anterograde with a trochanteric start point. Mean radiographic follow-up was 27.4 ±â€Š8.1 months. Twenty-two patients experienced postoperative pain and/or hardware irritation, with 24 patients (36.9%) undergoing reoperation for hardware removal. No occurrences of infection, malunion, nonunion, refracture, venous thromboembolism, fat embolism, significant leg length discrepancy, or femoral head osteonecrosis were documented. Two cases of heterotopic ossification were observed, 1 requiring surgical excision, yielding a complication rate of 3.1%. CONCLUSIONS: No cases of femoral head osteonecrosis were observed following treatment of 65 traumatic diaphyseal femur fractures with rigid IM nailing through the greater trochanter with a mean radiographic follow-up of 27 months. Rigid IM nail fixation with a trochanteric start point is both safe and efficacious for management of diaphyseal femur fractures in the skeletally immature.

Anatomic Repair vs Closed Reduction of the Syndesmosis.

BACKGROUND: The goal of the study was to compare radiographic and functional outcomes between conventional closed syndesmotic reduction and screw fixation with open reduction, direct repair of the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (AiTFL) and screw fixation. We hypothesized that open reduction with restoration of the AiTFL would provide an improved reduction with better radiographic and functional outcomes. METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients with OTA 44-C ankle fractures were enrolled. Treatment was nonrandomized and based on surgeon preference. Patients were treated with either open reduction, suture-anchor AiTFL repair, and screw fixation (ART group), or conventional closed reduction of the syndesmosis followed by screw fixation (CR group). The primary outcome measure was anteroposterior (AP) displacement of the fibula on CT scan at 3 months postoperatively. Secondary outcome measures included the Maryland Foot Score, the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle Hindfoot Score, and the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS). RESULTS: Mean AP difference between injured and noninjured ankles was decreased in the ART group compared with the CR group (0.7 ± 0.3 mm vs 1.5 ± 0.3 mm, P = .008). No differences were observed between groups in overall scores for secondary outcome measures. The ART group displayed a significant difference in Maryland Foot Shoe subscore at 12 months (ART = 9.5 vs CR = 8.3, P = .03) and FAOS Quality of Life subscore at 12 months (64.1 compared to 38.3, P = .04). CONCLUSION: Open anatomic syndesmotic repair resulted in improved radiographic outcomes compared with closed reduction. Cosmesis was worse at 6 weeks compared to the CR group; however, quality of life and shoewear were improved in the ART group at 1 year postoperatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prospective comparative study.

Impaction fractures of the anterior tibial plafond: Outcomes after fractures around the ankle: Is the anterior impaction plafond fracture a problem?

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether patients with AO/OTA 43-B anterior impaction tibial plafond fractures have worse clinical outcomes, and an increased risk of progression to ankle arthrodesis. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Level 1 academic trauma center. PATIENTS: One hundred sixty-eight patients were included in the study, all of whom had tibial plafond fractures. INTERVENTION: Study patients underwent external fixation and/or open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) as indicated by fracture/injury pattern. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Arthrodesis rate. RESULTS: AO 43-B Anterior impaction tibial plafond fractures have an increased risk of progression to arthrodesis when compared to AO 43-B nonanterior impaction type fractures (19.4% vs 8%). CONCLUSIONS: AO 43-B anterior impaction tibial plafond fractures have a worse clinical outcome compared to AO 43-B nonanterior impaction fractures. These fractures also confer increased risk of progression to arthrodesis. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: The authors have no conflict of interests to declare.

Biomechanical Consequences of Nail Insertion Point and Anterior Cortical Perforation for Antegrade Femoral Nailing.

This biomechanical study assessed the influence of changing antegrade cephalomedullary nail insertion point from anterior to neutral to posterior locations relative to the tip of the greater trochanter with or without anterior cortical perforation in the distal femur. Artificial osteoporotic femurs and cephalomedullary nails were used to create 5 test groups each with 8 specimens: intact femur without a nail or perforation, anterior nail insertion point without perforation, neutral nail insertion point without perforation, posterior nail insertion point without perforation, and posterior nail insertion point with perforation. Nondestructive biomechanical tests were done at 250 N in axial, coronal 3-point bending, sagittal 3-point bending, and torsional loading in order to measure overall stiffness and bone stress. The intact femur group vs. all femur/nail groups had lower stiffness in all loading modes (p ≤ 0.018), as well as higher bone stress in the proximal femur (p ≤ 0.027) but not in the distal femur above the perforation (p = 0.096). Compared to each other, femur/nail groups only showed differences in sagittal 3-point bending stiffness for anterior and neutral vs. posterior nail insertion points without (p ≤ 0.025) and with perforation (p ≤ 0.047). Although it did not achieve statistical significance (p ≥ 0.096), moving the nail insertion point from anterior to neutral to posterior to posterior with perforation did gradually increase bone stress by 45% (proximal femur) and 46% (distal femur). No femur or hardware failures occurred. Moving the nail insertion point and the presence of a perforation had little effect on stiffness, but the increased bone stress may be important as a predictor of fracture. Based on current bone stress results, surgeons should use anterior or neutral nail insertion points to reduce the risk of anterior cortical perforation.

Improved Reduction of the Tibiofibular Syndesmosis With TightRope Compared With Screw Fixation: Results of a Randomized Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the rate of malreduction after high fibular fractures associated with syndesmosis injury treated with open reduction and internal fixation, with either 2 screws or 1 knotless TightRope device. DESIGN: Prospective randomized controlled multicenter trial. SETTING: Eleven academic and community hospitals including Level 1 and Level 2 trauma centers across Canada. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: One hundred three patients with OTA/AO 44-C injuries with demonstrated radiographic syndesmosis diastasis or instability after malleolar bony fixation were followed for 12 months after treatment. METHODS: Open reduction of the syndesmosis was performed in all cases. Fixation was randomized to either TightRope (1 knotless TightRope, group T) or screw fixation (two 3.5-mm cortical positional screws placed across 3 cortices, group S). Surgical techniques and rehabilitation were standardized. All surgeons were trained or experienced in the use of the TightRope device. Follow-up was performed at 2 and 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Rate of malreduction based on bilateral ankle computed tomography scan results at 3 months after fixation. Secondary outcome measures included adverse events, reoperation, and validated functional outcomes including the EQ-5D, the Olerud-Molander Ankle Score, the Foot and Ankle Disability Index, and the Work Productivity Activity Impairment Questionnaire. The estimated sample size required to detect a difference in reduction rate was 72 patients, but the estimated sample size required to detect a difference in functional outcome scores was 240 patients, suggesting the study was adequately powered for radiographic results only. RESULTS: Overall, the rate of malreduction using screw fixation was 39% compared with 15% using TightRope fixation (P = 0.028, χ). Analysis of computed tomography results was performed using a 2-mm translation or 10-degree rotation threshold for malreduction and included fibular translation (anterior, posterior); syndesmosis distance (anterior, posterior, and mid); medial compression; and rotation (fibular and articular). Patients in group T had greater anterior translation (5.4 ± 1.8 mm) compared with the contralateral limb (4.3 ± 1.3 mm, P < 0.01) or group S (4.6 ± 1.5 mm, P = 0.05). Group T syndesmoses also had greater diastasis compared with control limb (4.1 ± 1.3 vs. 3.3 ± 1.4 mm, P < 0.01) and less fibular medialization compared with group S (1.04 ± 1.8 vs. 0.3 ± 1.8 mm, P = 0.05). Functional outcome measures demonstrated significant improvements over time, but no differences between fixation groups. Foot and Ankle Disability Index scores at each time interval were 44 ± 22 (T) versus 45 ± 24 (S) (6 weeks), 76 ± 14 versus 73 ± 17 (3 months), 89 ± 10 versus 86 ± 13 (6 months), and 93 ± 9 versus 90 ± 14 (12 months) (all P > 0.2). The reoperation rate was higher in the screw group compared with TightRope (30% vs. 4%, P = 0.02) with the difference driven by the rate of implant removal. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, the TightRope device seems to compare favorably with two, 3.5-mm, 3-cortex screw fixation for syndesmosis injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Carbon monoxide-releasing molecule-3 (CORM-3) offers protection in an in vitro model of compartment syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Limb compartment syndrome (CS), a complication of trauma, results in muscle necrosis and cell death; ischemia and inflammation contribute to microvascular dysfunction and parenchymal injury. Carbon monoxide-releasing molecule-3 (CORM-3) has been shown to protect microvascular perfusion and reduce inflammation in animal models of CS. The purpose of the study was to test the effect of CORM-3 in human in vitro CS model, allowing exploration of the mechanism(s) of CO protection and potential development of pharmacologic treatment. METHODS: Confluent human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) were stimulated for 6 h with serum isolated from patients with CS. Intracellular oxidative stress (production of reactive oxygen species (ROS)) apoptosis, transendothelial resistance (TEER), polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) activation and transmigration across the monolayer in response to the CS stimulus were assessed. All experiments were performed in the presence of CORM-3 (100 µM) or its inactive form, iCORM-3. RESULTS: CS serum induced a significant increase in ROS, apoptosis and endothelial monolayer breakdown; it also increased PMN superoxide production, leukocyte rolling and adhesion/transmigration. CORM-3 completely prevented CS-induced ROS production, apoptosis, PMN adhesion, rolling and transmigration, while improving monolayer integrity. CONCLUSION: CORM-3 offers potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and may have a potential application to patients at risk of developing CS.

Early post-operative outcomes of plate versus nail fixation for humeral shaft fractures.

INTRODUCTION: This study was designed to measure early postoperative outcomes of plate vs. nail fixation for humeral shaft fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients ≥18 years who underwent plate or nail fixation for low-energy humeral shaft fractures between 2005-2016 were identified from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP). Multivariable regression was used to compare postoperative outcomes using propensity score adjustment to account for differences between fixation groups. Variables included in the propensity score were age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, hypertension, steroid use, cancer, functional status, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure (CHF), and sex. RESULTS: Plate fixation was used in 1418 patients (70.6%), while nail fixation was used in 591 (29.4%). Patients undergoing nail fixation were more likely to be older, have a higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, and have comorbidities. Mean operative time was statistically longer in the plate fixation group (130 +/-62 min vs. 102 +/-54 min). After propensity score adjustment, type of fixation was not a significant predictor of major or minor complications, length of stay, or readmission. However, nail fixation was a significant predictor of mortality following propensity score adjustment (OR 3.15, 95% Confidence interval 1.26-7.85). CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing intramedullary nail fixation tended to be older patients with more comorbidities, suggesting that surgeons are selecting nail fixation in patients who may not be ideal surgical candidates. Although LOS, complications, and readmission rates were higher in the nail group, this difference was not statistically significant following propensity score adjustment. However, nail fixation remained an independent predictor of 30-day mortality following adjustment. This suggests that nail fixation may not be a safer surgical option in patients with multiple medical co-morbidities and low-energy humeral shaft fractures.

Short Versus Long InterTAN Fixation for Geriatric Intertrochanteric Hip Fractures: A Multicentre Head-to-Head Comparison.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if geriatric intertrochanteric hip fracture patients achieve equivalent postoperative functional status after management with either a short (180-200 mm) or a long (260-460 mm) InterTAN intramedullary device. DESIGN: Retrospective review of a prospective randomized control trial. SETTING: Four Level I Trauma Centers. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: One hundred eight patients with OTA/AO classification 31A-1 and 31A-2 intertrochanteric hip fractures were included in the study. INTERVENTION: Internal fixation using an IT device. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Primary outcomes included Functional Independence Measure and Timed Up and Go. Secondary outcomes included blood loss, surgical time, length of stay, adverse events, and mortality. RESULTS: Seventy-one short and 37 long IT patients met study inclusion criteria. Demographics were similar between groups. There was no difference in Functional Independence Measure or Timed Up and Go scores between the 2 IT groups at any of the time points collected. Mean operative time was lower in the short IT group than in the long IT group (60 vs. 73 minutes; P = 0.021). A higher proportion of long IT patients had reamed constructs (95% vs. 48% short IT, P < 0.001). Postoperative blood loss was significantly higher in the long IT group without a significant influence on the number of patients requiring transfusion (P = 0.582) or average units transfused (P = 0.982). There was no significant difference in the proportion of postoperative adverse events between the 2 cohorts despite a higher number of peri-implant femur fractures in the short IT group than in the long IT group (5 vs. 1, P = 0.350). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative functional status was not influenced by the length of IT device in the management of geriatric intertrochanteric hip fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Avoiding and Managing Complications After Hip Fracture Fixation.

There is an enormous burden of disease associated with the management of a failed hip fracture fixation. The goal of surgical management is to facilitate an early return to mobilization with the retention of as much independence as possible. Despite numerous studies that are focused on the care of patients with proximal femur fractures, complication rates remain high. Surgeons should review current strategies to avoid and manage complications after hip fracture fixation. This will have important implications given the detrimental consequences of failed management of hip fractures, including permanent disability, life-threatening medical complications, and an increased risk of death.