Management of soft-tissue coverage of open tibia fractures in Latin America: Techniques, timing, and resources.

PURPOSE: This study examined soft-tissue coverage techniques of open tibia fractures, described soft-tissue treatment patterns across income groups, and determined resource accessibility and availability in Latin America. METHODS: A 36-question survey was distributed to orthopaedic surgeons in Latin America through two networks: national orthopaedic societies and the Asociación de Cirujanos Traumatólogos de las Américas (ACTUAR). Demographic information was collected, and responses were stratified by income groups: high-income countries (HICs) and middle-income countries (MICs). RESULTS: The survey was completed by 469 orthopaedic surgeons, representing 19 countries in Latin America (2 HICs and 17 MICs). Most respondents were male (89%), completed residency training (96%), and were fellowship-trained (71%). Only 44% of the respondents had received soft-tissue training. Respondents (77%) reported a strong interest in attending a soft-tissue training course. Plastic surgeons were more commonly the primary providers for Gustilo Anderson (GA) Type IIIB injuries in HICs than in MICs (100% vs. 47%, p<0.01) and plastic surgeons were more available (<24 h of patient presentation to the hospital) in HICs than MICs (63% vs. 26%, p = 0.05), demonstrating statistically significant differences. In addition, respondents in HICs performed free flaps more commonly than in MICs for proximal third (55% vs. 10%, p<0.01), middle third (36% vs. 9%, p = 0.02), and distal third (55% vs. 10%, p<0.01) lower extremity wounds. Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT or Wound VAC) was the only resource available to more than half of the respondents. Though not statistically significant, surgeons reported having more access to plastic surgeons at their institutions in HICs than MICs (91% vs. 62%, p = 0.12) and performed microsurgical flaps more commonly at their respective institutions (73% vs. 42%, p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated that most orthopaedic surgeons in Latin America have received no soft-tissue training, HICs and MICs have differences in access to plastic surgeons and expectations for flap type and timing to definitive coverage, and most respondents had limited access to necessary soft-tissue surgical resources. Further investigation into differences in the clinical outcomes related to soft-tissue coverage methods and protocols can provide additional insight into the importance of timing and access to specialists.

Orthopaedic Trauma Research Priorities in Latin America: Developing Consensus Through a Modified Delphi Approach.

BACKGROUND: Despite a substantial burden of musculoskeletal injury, orthopaedic trauma studies in Latin America are lacking. The purpose of the present study was to identify research priorities among orthopaedic trauma surgeons in Latin America. METHODS: Research questions were solicited from members of the Asociación de Cirujanos Traumatólogos de las Américas. Participants rated questions by importance from 1 to 9. All questions were redistributed with an aggregate rating, and participants rerated questions with knowledge of group responses. RESULTS: Seventy-eight participants completed the first survey and were included in subsequent surveys. The mean age was 51.8 years, and most participants were male (92%), had completed an orthopaedic trauma fellowship (60.3%), and participated in research (80.8%). Seventeen countries were represented; 5 respondents were from a high-income country, 67 were from an upper middle-income country, and 6 were from a lower middle-income country. Sixty-five questions were identified. Six questions were rated from 1 to 3 ("more important") by >70% of participants: (1) What is the optimal treatment protocol for elderly patients with hip fracture? (2) What is the most effective initial and definitive management of musculoskeletal injury, including timing and surgical strategy, for the polytraumatized patient? (3) What is the ideal state of open fracture treatment, including timeliness and method of antibiotics, debridement, surgical fixation, and closure or coverage, at each hospital level in the health-care system? (4) What patient and fracture characteristics predict infection after musculoskeletal injury? (5) What is the current state of treatment for fracture-related infection, including timeliness and method of antibiotics and surgical intervention, at each hospital level in the health-care system? (6) What is the optimal protocol for temporary management for the hemodynamically unstable patient with a pelvic or acetabular fracture? CONCLUSIONS: This modified Delphi study of orthopaedic trauma surgeons in Latin America identified geriatric hip fractures, polytrauma, open fractures, musculoskeletal infection, and pelvic and acetabular fractures as top research priorities. This information is important for resource allocation and goal setting for orthopaedic trauma in the region.

Manejo de defectos óseos complejos por la técnica de inducción de membrana / Membrane induced technique in the management of complex osseous defects

El manejo de pseudoartrosis infectadas, osteomielitis y defectos óseos representa un reto enorme para el cirujano ortopedista. Hace diez años, Masquelet presentó la técnica de inducción de membrana como alternativa al manejo de las complicaciones mencionadas arriba con excelentes tasas de consolidación y erradicación del proceso infeccioso. Estudiamos una de serie de 14 casos, prospectiva, con seguimiento clínico y radiológico mínimo de 2 años (enero 2015-diciembre 2018), donde evaluamos múltiples variables en pacientes a quienes se les realizó el protocolo de Masquelet. Obtuvimos una tasa de consolidación de 85,7% (12/14). Con un tiempo promedio para alcanzarla de 6,1 meses (3-9m). Todos los pacientes que lograron la consolidación se encontraban libres de infección al final del seguimiento. Por su reproducibilidad y alta tasa de consolidación, consideramos la técnica de inducción de membrana, como una excelente opción en el manejo de pseudoartrosis infectadas complejas(AU)

The management of infected nonunions, osteomyelitis, and bone defects represents an enormous challenge for the orthopedic surgeon. Ten years ago, Masquelet presented the membrane induction technique as an alternative to the management of the complications afore mentioned with excellent rates of consolidation and eradication of the infectious process. We prospectively studied a series of 14 cases, with a clinical and radiological follow-up of at least 2 years (january 2015-december 2018). Where we evaluated multiple variables in patients who underwent the Masquelet protocol. We obtained a consolidation rate of 85.7% (12/14). With an average time to reach it of 6.1 months (3-9m). All patients who achieved union were free of infection at the end of follow-up. Due to its reproducibility and high consolidation rate, we consider the membrane induction technique an excellent option in the management of complex infected nonunions(AU)

Fracturas diafiarias de los miembros inferiores: planificación preoperatoria digital / Diaphyseal fractures of the lower limbs: digital preoperative planning

La planificación preoperatoria es procedimiento indispensable previo a la realización de cualquier cirugía ortopédica con el fin de obtener un resultado exitoso, sin embargo, el proceso suele ser lento y engorroso, por lo que pocos cirujanos ortopedistas lo realizan de manera rutinaria. Planteamos el desarrollo de un Software de planificación preoperatoria digital para fracturas diafisiarias de miembros inferiores que pueda ser utilizado como una herramienta confiable en la práctica diaria del cirujano ortopedista. Mediante la obtención de un archivo de imagen con la fractura que se desea planificar, a través de una cámara digital o de un sistema PACS integrado, nuestro software permitirá la realización de una planificación preoperatoria de manera precisa y rápida brindándole al usuario herramientas de registros y almacenamiento de datos, calibración y mejoramiento de imagen, medición de distancias y ángulos, segmentación del trazo de fracturas, etc. También se incluyen galería implantes ortopédicos, así como sistema de clasificación AO, todo lo anterior con el fin de generar de un reporte que incluya todos los detalles necesarios que puedan facilitar la labor del ortopedista previo al momento del acto quirúrgico

Preoperative planning is a cornerstone procedure prior any orthopaedic surgery in terms of achieving excellent results, however, the process is slow and difficult; hence,there are few orthopaedic surgeons who perform it on a day-to-day basis. We Propose the Development of a Preoperative Planning Software for the lower limbs long bone diaphiseal fractures that can serve as reliabletool for the orthopaedic surgeon. Using an image archive with the fracture site, obtained from a digital camera or a PACS integrated system, our software can perform a preoperative planning in a fast and precise manner, giving the user tools to perform data managementand storing, image calibration and rendering, distance measuring and angle calculation, fracture site segmentation, etc. Also includes a diverse orthopaedic implants gallery, and the AO comprehensive classificationsystem; all of the above made it with the final goal to generate a report who includes all the necessary details,to facilitate the surgeon duty, prior to the surgery per se.