Surgical Implant Generation Network (SIGN) intramedullary nailing of open fractures of the tibia.

We treated 36 open tibial fractures (32 patients) by primary intramedullary nailing and debridement and treatment of open wounds. There were 13 grade I, 14 grade II and 9 grade III according to Gustilo-Anderson classification. After a minimum follow-up of 8 months, there were two cases of superficial infection and one of deep infection. Thirty-one fractures united within 6 months with a mean period to union of 22 weeks. There were four delayed unions and one non-union. There was a longer union time and a higher rate of delayed or non-union in the complex and/or comminuted grade IIIB fractures. Intramedullary nailing, with appropriate soft-tissue treatment, gives good results in the treatment of open tibial fractures.

Comparison of antibiotic beads and intravenous antibiotics in open fractures.

This study compared the efficacy of antibiotic impregnated beads with conventional intravenous antibiotics in the treatment of open fractures. A randomized prospective study was designed and conducted during a 29-month period. Sixty-seven patients with 75 open fractures were treated similarly, with the exception of the method of antibiotic administration, and were followed up for at least 1 year after injury. Infection occurred in two of 24 (8.3%) fractures treated with antibiotic beads alone and in two of 38 (5.3%) fractures treated with conventional intravenous antibiotics. In an unanticipated nonrandomized third cohort group, patients received antibiotic beads and intravenous antibiotics administered for nonorthopaedic reasons or limb threatening injury, or both. Two of 13 (15.4%) fractures in this high risk group became infected. Infection ultimately resolved in all fractures treated with antibiotic beads alone or antibiotic beads in conjunction with conventional intravenous antibiotics. This study was unable to achieve statistical significance; however, the data suggest antibiotic beads may be useful in preventing infection in open fractures. Thus, a larger multicenter randomized prospective study of isolated open fractures, eliminating other variables, is justified.

Irreducible intertrochanteric fractures of the femur.

A retrospective study during a 3-year interval revealed that four of 112 patients had intertrochanteric fractures that were irreducible by the usual closed manipulation and traction techniques at the time of surgery. Each of these patients' preoperative radiographs showed a fracture line that bisected the lesser trochanter and was relatively uncomminuted. Although longitudinal traction and appropriate closed manipulation provide acceptable reduction for most intertrochanteric fractures, the few with the described fracture pattern may require open reduction with removal of interposed soft tissue to achieve satisfactory alignment.

Removal of intramedullary nails from the femur: a review of 45 cases.

The excellent biocompatibility of titanium and its alloys may result in osseointegration. In order to determine if this presents an obstacle to removal of intramedullary nails, we retrospectively reviewed a series of 45 cases of isolated removal of a femoral nail. Indications for removal were persistent pain and discomfort, request of an asymptomatic patient, or skeletal immaturity. Twenty-three nails were titanium, and 22 were stainless steel. Although removal of the titanium nails had a significantly longer operative time (110 vs. 84 min), analysis of variance indicated that this was due to a greater number of crosslocking screws in the titanium nails (2.2 vs. 0.6) and a tendency to set the titanium nails deeper in the femur. The use of the titanium material per se did not pose a risk factor for difficulty in late removal of an intramedullary nail.

Compartment pressure monitoring during intramedullary fixation of tibial fractures.

Twenty-six legs in 25 patients were monitored prospectively for compartment pressures during intramedullary nailing of open and closed tibial shaft fractures. Twenty-three patients were treated within 24 hours of admission. Twenty-three unreamed and three reamed intramedullary rods were utilized. Compartment pressures were measured initially, following fracture reduction, and during reaming. Pressures were also measured at the completion of nailing with the ankle dorsiflexed and at rest (plantar flexed) to determine positional effects on compartment pressures. Nine fractures (35%) were found to have persistently elevated pressures (> 40 mm Hg) and underwent immediate four-compartment fasciotomy. The remaining group of 17 fractures (65%) was monitored throughout the intraoperative period. No patient monitored intraoperatively developed postoperative compartment syndrome.

Traumatic hip dislocation: early MRI findings.

PURPOSE: Objective of this study was to present the spectrum of early magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings following traumatic dislocation of the femoral head, and to identify any associated injuries that may have therapeutic or prognostic significance and be better delineated by MRI than by conventional radiography. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective MRI of both hips was formed on 18 patients (14 male, 4 female; age range 14-54 years; average age 30.5 years) within 5 weeks of a traumatic femoral head dislocation. The interval between the time of injury and the time of injury and the imaging studies ranged from 2 to 35 days (average 13.2 days). Posterior dislocation was present in 14 patients and anterior dislocation in 4 patients. In the majority of cases, we performed axial T1, coronal T1, and coronal T2* (MPGR) sequences. Images were retrospectively evaluated by consensus of three radiologists for possible abnormalities of the bone and cartilage, joint space, and soft tissues. Because all patients were treated with closed reduction, surgical correlation was not obtained. RESULTS: All patients had a joint effusion or hemarthrosis. Of the 14 patients with posterior dislocation, isolated femoral head contusions (trabecular microfractures) were identified in 6 patients. Four patients had small femoral head fractures, and one had an osteochondral defect. Acetabular lip fractures were seen in six patients, and one patient had a labral tear. Four patients had intra-articular loose bodies and one had ligamentum teres entrapment. Twelve patients had iliofemoral ligament injury. All patients had muscle injury involving the gluteal region and medical fascial compartment, and 13 patients had anterior fascial compartment muscle injury. Seven patients with posterior dislocation had posterior fascial compartment injury. Of the four patients with anterior dislocation, two had bony contusion, two had cortical infraction, one had a labral tear, and all four had an iliofemoral ligament injury. All four patients in this group had muscle injury of the gluteal region and of the anterior and medial fascial compartments. CONCLUSIONS: MRI can effectively identify and quantify the muscle injury and joint effusion that invariably accompany traumatic hip dislocations. It is also useful for demonstrating trabecular bone contusion (trabecular injury) and iliofemoral ligament injury, which occur commonly with acute hip dislocation.

Open tibia fractures in the splenectomized trauma patient: results of treatment with locking, intramedullary fixation.

OBJECTIVE: To confirm our clinical impression that patients with traumatic splenectomy had more complications in the treatment of open tibia fractures, we retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with open tibia fractures treated between 1989 and 1992. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight patients with open tibia fractures and traumatic splenectomies were compared to 43 patients with open tibia fractures and intact spleens. The latter group typically underwent either exploratory laparotomy or peritoneal lavage. The two groups were similar with respect to age, mechanism of injury, fracture wound classification, and injury severity score (22.4 in the splenectomized patients, 18.6 in the control). All tibia fractures were treated with a nonreamed, cross-locked, titanium intramedullary nail, and all patients were treated according to the same protocol of antibiotic therapy. Patients were followed for two years or until roentgenographic and clinical union. RESULTS: The splenectomized patients had a significantly higher incidence of chronic osteomyelitis (25% vs. 4.6%), and the need for additional tibial surgeries to achieve union (75% vs. 16%). Time to union averaged 11.3 months in the splenectomized group and 7.6 months in the patients with intact spleens. CONCLUSIONS: The increased risk for chronic osteomyelitis and other complications of tibial fracture in the splenectomized patients should be taken as an argument favoring splenic, repair, when possible, rather than splenectomy in victims of blunt multiple trauma.

The use of cannulated screws in musculoskeletal trauma. A review of surgical techniques.

The use of minimally invasive techniques for the treatment of articular and periarticular fractures is becoming more popular, especially when formal open reduction and internal fixation is contraindicated because of associated soft-tissue compromise and swelling. Cannulated screws are frequently effective in these situations and can be inserted by way of limited open or percutaneous techniques in many cases. Accurate fracture reduction can be attained through insertion of cannulated screws over a guide pin, resulting in provisional stability of the fracture. In most instances, such methods of fracture reduction are adjunctive and require the addition of external fixation, limited internal fixation, and cast bracing or orthotic considerations. Applications of cannulated screw fixation in specific trauma injuries are discussed as are indications, contraindications, advantages, and disadvantages of such methods.

Ankle dislocation.

From 1980 to 1991, 14 patients with pure ankle dislocation unassociated with fracture were identified. All patients were young adults (18-41 years of age) with a male preponderance (11 of 14). The cause of injury in nine of the 14 cases was a motor vehicle accident and in the remainder, sporting events or fall from a height. Thirteen of the 14 injuries were open, and 12 patients underwent lateral ligamentous repair. Twelve of the 14 patients were available for follow-up, which ranged from 15 to 122 months. Two patients had poor results; the remainder (10 of 12) had good and excellent results. Interestingly, no patient had signs or symptoms of instability. One patient required immediate below-the-knee amputation for open dislocation associated with avulsion of soft tissue and neurovascular structures.

Postoperative clostridial infection. A case report.

The classic fulminating, rapidly progressive, and potentially lethal clostridial myonecrosis (CM), also known as gas gangrene, is a familiar entity. Nevertheless, individual experience with this dreaded disease is extremely rare or nonexistent. Clostridial cellulitis does not involve muscle necrosis and is associated with a lower mortality rate. Although still potentially limb threatening, clostridial cellulitis is a source of considerable morbidity. In a 13-year-old boy the symptoms did not appear until two weeks postoperatively. Definitive treatment was not instituted until five days later.

Flexible intramedullary fixation of femoral fractures.

Fifty femoral fractures in 47 patients were treated by the insertion of flexible intramedullary Ender rods and observed until fracture healing was complete. Both condylocephalic and trochanteric approaches were used with a preference for the latter when biomechanically feasible. The fractures ranged from the intertrochanteric-subtrochanteric junction to the supracondylar area of the femur. This technique can be used to treat fractures unsuited for conventional rods. The system is relatively uncomplicated, the technique atraumatic. Healing is generally rapid. There were no non-unions, infections, surgical deaths, or significant residual deformities.

Irreducible supracondylar fracture of the humerus complicated by anterior interosseous nerve palsy.

Supracondylar fractures of the humerus are common injuries in childhood and constitute greater than 50% of fractures involving the elbow joint. Neurovascular compromise is not infrequent and has been variously reported as occurring in 5%-17% of displaced fractures. A seven-year-old girl with isolated involvement of the anterior interosseous branch of the median nerve, an uncommon complication, is reported, along with a review of the literature.

Brucella sacroiliitis. A case report.

Brucellosis is an uncommon infectious disease in the United States though it remains endemic in many parts of the world. Signs and symptoms of the disease are highly variable, with musculoskeletal complaints occurring frequently. The combination of an uncommon infection presenting with protean manifestations often results in missed or delayed diagnosis in the Western world.

Closed flexible intramedullary fixation for pathologic lesions in long bones.

Nine patients with 11 extremities involved with neoplastic metastases were treated with flexible intramedullary rods for stabilization and pain relief. Seven of the nine patients had sustained a fracture, and two patients received prophylactic flexible intramedullary rods for impending fracture. Good pain relief and satisfactory stabilization were accomplished in all but one patient. Methyl methacrylate was not used, and all lesions were treated closed, save for one patient who received good initial pain relief and satisfactory stability but ultimately had tumor recurrence, infection, and loss of fixation. We feel this technique is especially valuable in treating the very ill and terminal patient who might otherwise not tolerate prolonged anesthesia or extensive operative procedures.

Nonsecretory myeloma. A case report.

While the entity of nonsecretory myeloma is rare, its diagnosis may be delayed or remain undetected if too much reliance is placed on the presence of a serum or urinary M component, which traditionally has been considered an important, if not essential, feature of plasma cell myelomatosis. Nonsecretory myeloma is characterized radiographically by the presence of classic osteolytic lesions. Laboratory studies reveal anemia, hypogammaglobulinemia, and/or the failure to demonstrate a monoclonal immunoglobulin or Bence Jones protein on repeated electrophoretic analysis. Bone marrow aspirates reveal the presence of cytologically documented myeloma cells.