Skin Antisepsis before Surgical Fixation of Extremity Fractures.

BACKGROUND: Studies evaluating surgical-site infection have had conflicting results with respect to the use of alcohol solutions containing iodine povacrylex or chlorhexidine gluconate as skin antisepsis before surgery to repair a fractured limb (i.e., an extremity fracture). METHODS: In a cluster-randomized, crossover trial at 25 hospitals in the United States and Canada, we randomly assigned hospitals to use a solution of 0.7% iodine povacrylex in 74% isopropyl alcohol (iodine group) or 2% chlorhexidine gluconate in 70% isopropyl alcohol (chlorhexidine group) as preoperative antisepsis for surgical procedures to repair extremity fractures. Every 2 months, the hospitals alternated interventions. Separate populations of patients with either open or closed fractures were enrolled and included in the analysis. The primary outcome was surgical-site infection, which included superficial incisional infection within 30 days or deep incisional or organ-space infection within 90 days. The secondary outcome was unplanned reoperation for fracture-healing complications. RESULTS: A total of 6785 patients with a closed fracture and 1700 patients with an open fracture were included in the trial. In the closed-fracture population, surgical-site infection occurred in 77 patients (2.4%) in the iodine group and in 108 patients (3.3%) in the chlorhexidine group (odds ratio, 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55 to 1.00; P = 0.049). In the open-fracture population, surgical-site infection occurred in 54 patients (6.5%) in the iodine group and in 60 patients (7.3%) in the chlorhexidine group (odd ratio, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.58 to 1.27; P = 0.45). The frequencies of unplanned reoperation, 1-year outcomes, and serious adverse events were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with closed extremity fractures, skin antisepsis with iodine povacrylex in alcohol resulted in fewer surgical-site infections than antisepsis with chlorhexidine gluconate in alcohol. In patients with open fractures, the results were similar in the two groups. (Funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research; PREPARE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03523962.).

Dual Plate Fixation of Periprosthetic Distal Femur Fractures.

OBJECTIVES: Dual implants for distal femur periprosthetic fractures is a growing area of interest for these challenging fractures with dual plating (DP) emerging as a viable construct for these injuries. In the current study, an experience with DP constructs is described. DESIGN: Retrospective case series with comparison group. SETTING: Level 1 academic trauma center. PATIENT SELECTION CRITERIA: Adults >50 years old sustaining comminuted OTA/AO 33-A2 or 33-A3 DFPF treated with either DP or a single distal femur locking plating (DFLP). Patients with simple 33-A1 fractures were excluded. Prior to 2018, patients underwent DFLP after which the treatment of choice became DP. OUTCOME MEASURES AND COMPARISONS: Reoperation rate, alignment, and complications. RESULTS: 34 patients treated with DFLP and 38 with DP met inclusion and follow up criteria. Average follow up was 18.2 ± 13.8 months in the DFLP group and 19.8 ± 16.1 months in the DP group ( P = 0.339). The average patient age in the DFLP group was 74.8 ± 7.3 years compared to 75.9 ± 11.3 years in the DP group. There were no statistical differences in demographics, fracture morphology, loss of reduction, or reoperation for any cause ( P >.05). DP patients were more likely to be weight bearing in the twelve-week postoperative period ( P <0.001) and return to their baseline ambulatory status ( P = 0.004) compared to DFLP patients. CONCLUSIONS: Dual plating of distal femoral periprosthetic fractures maintained coronal alignment with a low reoperation rate even with immediate weight bearing and these patients regained baseline level of ambulation more reliably as compared to patients treated with a single distal femoral locking plate. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Thermal Output of Oscillation Versus Forward Drilling of Bone.

This study's objective was to identify a difference in maximum temperature change during forward versus oscillating drilling of cadaveric bone. Paired femurs were dissected from the soft tissue of five cadavers. Each cadaver had one femur assigned to forward and the other to oscillation. The first drill hole was 2.5 cm distal to the lesser trochanter and the remaining 10 holes were evenly spaced 2 cm apart. A System 7 drill and 3.5 mm drill bit were attached to an Instron 5500R to provide a progressive force of 50 Newtons per minute for each drill hole. A thermal camera recorded each drilling. A new drill bit was used for each femur. Fifty bicortical drillings were analyzed in each group. The average time to complete forward drilling (45.0 seconds) was shorter compared to oscillation (55.5 s, p < 0.001). The average force required for forward drilling (27.7 N) was lower than for oscillation (44.3N, p < 0.001). The maximum change in temperature during the drilling process was similar (oscillating 100.2° F vs. forward 100.7° F, p = 0.871). The maximum change in temperature at the near cortex was lower for oscillation (78.1°F) compared to forward drilling (89.1°F, p = 0.011), while the maximum change at the far cortex was lower for forward drilling (89.3°F) compared to oscillation (95.8°F, p = 0.115) but not significantly. Overall, there is no difference in the thermal output between techniques. Oscillation may be beneficial in proximity to vital structures or to navigate narrow bony corridors, but it requires additional time and force. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 31(4):233-236, 2022).

Low Adherence to Recommended Guidelines for Open Fracture Antibiotic Prophylaxis.

BACKGROUND: Prompt administration of antibiotics is a critical component of open fracture treatment. Traditional antibiotic recommendations have been a first-generation cephalosporin for Gustilo Type-I and Type-II open fractures, with the addition of an aminoglycoside for Type-III fractures and penicillin for soil contamination. However, concerns over changing bacterial patterns and the side effects of aminoglycosides have led to interest in other regimens. The purpose of the present study was to describe the adherence to current prophylactic antibiotic guidelines. METHODS: We evaluated the antibiotic-prescribing practices of 24 centers in the U.S. and Canada that were participating in 2 randomized controlled trials of skin-preparation solutions for open fractures. A total of 1,234 patients were evaluated. RESULTS: All patients received antibiotics on the day of admission. The most commonly prescribed antibiotic regimen was cefazolin monotherapy (53.6%). Among patients with Type-I and Type-II fractures, there was 61.1% compliance with cefazolin monotherapy. In contrast, only 17.2% of patients with Type-III fractures received the recommended cefazolin and aminoglycoside therapy, with an additional 6.7% receiving piperacillin/tazobactam. CONCLUSIONS: There is moderate adherence to the traditional antibiotic treatment guidelines for Gustilo Type-I and Type-II fractures and low adherence for Type-III fractures. Given the divergence between current practice patterns and prior recommendations, high-quality studies are needed to determine the most appropriate prophylactic protocol.

Technical Trick: Dual Plate Fixation of Periprosthetic Distal Femur Fractures.

SUMMARY: Treatment of periprosthetic distal femur fractures remains challenging due to assuring adequate distal fixation. Traditional treatment options include lateral locked plating and retrograde nailing, although recently dual implant constructs have been explored with promising results. Allowing immediate weight-bearing in this patient population has benefits with regards to rehabilitation and outcome. Recent literature has focused on nail-plate constructs, however plate-plate constructs are preferred at our institution as they do not require arthroplasty component compatibility, facilitate the coronal plane reduction, and allow for immediate weight-bearing.

Open Obturator Hip Dislocation: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

CASE: An open obturator dislocation with associated pelvic ring injury and perineal wound underwent fixation and aggressive debridement. Despite this, the patient proceeded to infection requiring additional debridements and prolonged intravenous antibiotics. At 18 months postinjury, the patient developed avascular necrosis and significant heterotopic ossification; however, she was able to ambulate. CONCLUSIONS: Open obturator dislocations of the hip require a multidisciplinary team. Despite prompt antibiotic therapy and aggressive debridement, patients are at high risk of infection because of the microbial environment in this region. Open obturator hip dislocations are at significant risk of avascular necrosis despite timely reduction.

Comparing the Efficiency, Radiation Exposure, and Accuracy Using C-Arm versus O-Arm With 3D Navigation in Placement of Transiliac-Transsacral and Iliosacral Screws: A Cadaveric Study Evaluating an Early Career Surgeon.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficiency, radiation exposure to surgeon and patient, and accuracy of C-arm versus O-arm with navigation in the placement of transiliac-transsacral and iliosacral screws by an orthopaedic trauma fellow, for a surgeon early in practice. METHODS: Twelve fresh frozen cadavers were obtained. Preoperative computed tomography scans were reviewed to assess for safe corridors in the S1 and S2 segments. Iliosacral screws were assigned to the S1 segment in dysmorphic pelvises. Screws were randomized to modality and laterality. An orthopaedic trauma fellow placed all screws. Time of procedure and radiation exposure to the cadaver and surgeon were recorded. Three fellowship-trained orthopaedic trauma surgeons rated the safety of each screw on postoperative computed tomography scan. RESULTS: Six normal and 6 dysmorphic pelvises were identified. Eighteen transiliac-transsacral screws and 6 iliosacral screws were distributed evenly between C-arm and O-arm. Average operative duration per screw was significantly shorter using C-arm compared with O-arm (15.7 minutes ± 6.1 vs. 23.7 ± 8.5, P = 0.014). Screw placement with C-arm exposed the surgeon to a significantly greater amount of radiation (3.87 × 10 rads vs. 0.32 × 10, P < 0.001) while O-arm exposed the cadaver to a significantly greater amount of radiation (0.03 vs. 2.76 rads, P < 0.001). Two S2 transiliac-transsacral screws (1 C-arm and 1 O-arm) were categorized as unsafe based on scoring. There was no difference in screw accuracy between modalities. CONCLUSIONS: A difference in accuracy between modalities could not be elucidated, whereas efficiency was improved with utilization of C-arm, with statistical significance. A statistically significant increase in radiation exposure to the surgeon using C-arm was found, which may be clinically significant over a career. The results of this study can be extrapolated to a fellow or surgeon early in practice. The decision between use of these modalities will vary depending on surgeon preference and hospital resources.

Technical Trick: The Trochanteric Hook Plate in Treatment of B1 Periprosthetic Femur Fractures.

Vancouver B1 periprosthetic fractures undergoing operative fixation remain difficult to treat due to a short proximal segment that offers limited options for fixation. The trochanteric hook plate addresses this issue by maximizing proximal purchase and utilizing the entire lateral surface area of the greater trochanter. A surgical technique that prioritizes proximal fixation and adheres to basic principles resulted in all fractures healing in a small case series. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 29(4):199-201, 2020).

Valgus Intertrochanteric Osteotomy for Femoral Neck Nonunion.

Valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy is an effective method of treating femoral neck nonunion by reducing shear forces at the fracture and correcting the neck-shaft angle. Good outcomes have been reported in the literature. Through careful preoperative planning and a precise operative technique, reliable healing of both the osteotomy and nonunion can be achieved.

Treatment of Peritrochanteric Femur Fractures With Proximal Femur Locked Plating.

OBJECTIVES: To report on our results using a proximal femoral locking plate for the treatment of peritrochanteric femur fractures. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Level I Academic Medical Center. PATIENTS: Sixty-eight patients with 68 fractures. INTERVENTION: Demographics, fracture morphology, preoperative imaging, rationale against nailing, and outcomes were collected. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Outcomes were grouped into no complication, minor complication, or major complication. Minor complications included healed fractures with implant failure or change in alignment from immediate postoperative radiographs, which did not require intervention or elective implant removal. Major complications included any case that required revision for nonunion or implant failure. RESULTS: Nine patients were lost to follow-up. Of the 59 fractures, 16 had complications (27%): 9 minor and 7 major. Active tobacco use (P = 0.020) and fractures with an associated intracapsular femoral neck component (P = 0.006) correlated with complications. CONCLUSIONS: Proximal femoral locking plates continue to be associated with a high complication rate. However, based on our experience, proximal femoral locking plates may be considered in highly selected cases when absolutely no other implant is deemed appropriate, based on the degree of comminution and the complexity of the fracture pattern. Patients must be informed about the possibility of revision surgery based on the inherent limitations of these devices. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Technologies for Young Femoral Neck Fracture Fixation.

Fixation of young femoral neck fractures represents a challenge in the field of orthopaedic trauma surgery. Conventional methods, including cannulated screw and sliding hip screw constructs, have been studied and found to have similar results with regards to patient outcomes, which has made choosing an optimum fixation strategy difficult. In all of these cases, quality of reduction has been shown to be the most important factor when it comes to creating a favorable environment for fracture healing. Some of these patients, however, continue to have negative sequelae including nonunion, avascular necrosis, femoral head collapse, and poor hip function as a result. In this article, we review the 2 most commonly used constructs and present 2 novel fixation constructs for the fixation of femoral neck fractures in physiologically young patients, including the Smith & Nephew Conquest system and the Aesculap Targon system. We outline techniques for usage of these systems and proposed advantages to these systems compared with conventional fixation methods. We also discuss the results of previously published studies regarding conventional fixation methods and compare with some limited studies that have been published on these newer technologies.

Intraoperative CT and Surgical Navigation for Iliosacral Screws: Technique for Patients With Sacral Dysmorphism.

Percutaneous iliosacral screw (IS) fixation for pelvic ring injuries with the use of an O-arm imaging system has been associated with decreased procedure time and improved accuracy of IS screw placement compared with the use of fluoroscopic guidance. Specifically, patients with sacral dysmorphism require identification of safe bony sacral corridors, using specific anatomical measurements, to decrease the likelihood of complications such as screw perforation. Intraoperative computed tomography imaging and navigation can aid in safe and accurate IS screw fixation in patients with difficult anatomy.

Orthopaedic management in the polytrauma patient.

The past century has seen many changes in the management of the polytraumatized orthopaedic patient. Early recommendations for non-operative treatment have evolved into early total care (ETC) and damage control orthopaedic (DCO) treatment principles. These principles force the treating orthopaedist to take into account multiple patient parameters including hypothermia, coagulopathy and volume status before deciding upon the operative plan. This requires a multidisciplinary approach involving critical care physicians, anesthesiologists and others.

The long lost art of preoperative planning--resurrected?

Tibial plateau fractures are complex injuries that can affect both knee function and stability. In the past, surgeons have relied on radiographs, viewboxes, tracing paper, and scaled acetate templates to formulate a preoperative plan. With the advent of digital radiography, viewboxes, and standard radiographs are no longer routinely available. The availability of a digital format for preoperative planning has helped to address this, but fragment manipulation and implant templating are not features of most digital radiography systems. Digital surgical planning software allows for these functions thereby enabling the surgeon to formulate a preoperative plan for fracture reduction and fixation. Concomitant use of 3-dimensional (3D) imaging software permits unlimited inspection of the fracture by allowing for oblique or special views through manipulation of the software image as opposed to potentially painful positioning of the injured limb by the patient or radiograph personnel. This case report illustrates the advantages of these new software tools.