Reamer Irrigator Aspirator Versus Iliac Crest Bone Grafting and Proximal Tibial Curettage: Is There a Difference in Blood Loss and Transfusion Rates?

OBJECTIVES: To compare blood loss and transfusion rates among reamer irrigator aspirator (RIA), iliac crest bone graft (ICBG), and proximal tibial curettage (PTC) for autograft harvest. DESIGN: Retrospective comparative study. SETTING: Level 1 trauma center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: The study included 139 adult patients treated between 2011 and 2018. INTERVENTIONS: Nonunion repair of the femur or tibia using either RIA (n = 64), ICBG (n = 59), or PTC (n = 16) for autograft. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Estimated blood loss and transfusion rates. RESULTS: Patient demographics, surgical indications, and medical comorbidities that affect bleeding did not differ among the groups. Estimated blood loss (mL) was significantly higher in the RIA group [RIA: 388 ± 368 (50-2000), ICBG: 286 ± 344 (10-2000), PTC: 196 mL ± 219 (10-700), P < 0.01]. The transfusion rate was also significantly higher in the RIA group (RIA 14%, ICBG 0%, PTC 0%, P < 0.01). The amount of graft obtained was higher in the RIA group (RIA = 48.3 mL, ICBG = 31.0 mL, PTC = 18.8 mL, P < 0.01), and the operative time (hours) was longer in the RIA group (RIA = 2.8, ICBG = 2.6, PTC = 1.9, P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Estimated blood loss and transfusion rates were significantly higher in patients undergoing RIA compared with those in patients undergoing ICBG and PTC; however, the incidence of transfusion after RIA (14%) was considerably lower than previous reports. These findings suggest that the risk of transfusion after RIA is present and clinically significant but lower than previously believed, and it is likely affected by the amount of graft obtained and complexity of the nonunion repair. The risk of transfusion should be discussed with patients and the choice of RIA carefully evaluated in patients who have anemia or risk factors of bleeding. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Clinical and Biomechanical Effects of Femoral Neck Buttress Plate used for Vertical Femoral Neck Fractures.

PURPOSE: To investigate both the biomechanical and clinical effect of an inferomedial femoral neck buttress plate (FNBP) used to augment a sliding hip screw (SHS) and anti-rotational screw (ARS) in the treatment of traumatic vertical femoral neck fractures. METHODS: Part 1: Clinical - Retrospective review of patients under age 65 treated with open reduction of a vertical femoral neck fracture. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 patients (18 patients) had SHS/ARS fixation augmented with a FNBP, while Group 2 patients (18 patients) had SHS/ARS fixation alone and were matched for age and sex. Demographic data, OTA fracture classification, immediate post-operative and follow-up radiographs were analyzed for quality of reduction, femoral neck shortening (FNS), neck-shaft angle (NSA), avascular necrosis (AVN) and union. Part 2: Biomechanical - Pauwels III femoral neck osteotomy was created in five pairs of cadaveric specimens, then each fracture was reduced and stabilized with a SHS/ARS construct. Specimens were matched and split into Groups 1 and 2, similar to Part 1. Cadaveric specimens were axially loaded in cyclical fashion to analyze for construct stiffness, fracture displacement femoral neck shortening and changes in the neck shaft angle. RESULTS: Part 1: There were 18 matched patients (14 males and 4 females) in both Group 1 and Group 2. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups with respect to Pauwels angle, femoral neck shortening, changes in neck-shaft angle, AVN or nonunion. One reoperation in Group 1 and four in Group 2. Part 2: All five cadaveric specimens in both groups survived the 10,000-cycle loading regimen. We were unable to detect any significant differences between the two groups with respect to construct stiffness, change in neck-shaft angle or amount of femoral neck shortening. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of both clinical case series and biomechanical testing, an inferomedial neck buttress plate does not appear to offer long-term benefits with respect to maintenance of alignment or achieving union but may potentially help in obtaining the reduction.

Evolution in the Acute Management of Open Fracture Treatment? Part 1.

INTRODUCTION: Despite decades of advancement in wound debridement, prophylactic antibiotic therapy, fracture stabilization, and soft tissue reconstruction, infection remains a serious complication after open fracture. Inconclusive historical data and new challenges with resistant organisms and antimicrobial stewardship having created a difficult environment within which to develop sound, evidence-based treatment protocols that can be applied universally. The first part of this 2-part series will synthesize the historical perspective along with the current concepts surrounding bacteriology and antibiotic use/stewardship. Part 2 will analyze and summarize the current literature regarding the management of open fracture and prevention of subsequent infection.Numerous authors from Hippocrates to Larrey noted that superior results were obtained with an early aggressive debridement of necrotic tissue after wounding.1-7 Historically, the usual outcome after open fracture was infection, sepsis, amputation, and death before the introduction of antibiotics.8-11 As recently as the first half of the 20th century, surgeons argued that if an appropriate debridement was performed, antibiotics were not necessary and advocated against their routine use over concern for resistant organisms.The current period of open fracture treatment (starting in the 1970s) heralded a more scientific era with critical evaluation of antibiotics, surgical debridement, and the development of standardized evidence-based protocols. This era began with 3 classic articles by Patzakis and Gustilo that, to this day, remain central to the discussion of infection prevention after open fractures.12-14. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level V. See Instructions for Authors for a Complete description of levels of evidence.

Modern Results of Functional Bracing of Humeral Shaft Fractures: A Multicenter Retrospective Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the rate of, and reasons for, conversion of closed treatment of humeral shaft fractures using a fracture brace, to surgical intervention. DESIGN: Multicenter, retrospective analysis. SETTING: Nine Level 1 trauma centers across the United States. PATIENTS: A total of 1182 patients with a closed humeral shaft fracture initially managed nonoperatively with a functional brace from 2005 to 2015 were reviewed retrospectively from 9 institutions. INTERVENTION: Functional brace. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Conversion to surgery. RESULTS: A total of 344 fractures (29%) ultimately underwent surgical intervention. Reasons for conversion included nonunion (60%), malalignment beyond acceptable parameters (24%), inability to tolerate functional bracing (12%), and persistent signs of radial nerve palsy requiring exploration (3.7%). Univariate comparisons showed that females and whites were significantly (P < 0.05) more likely to be converted to surgery. The multivariate logistic regression identified females as being 1.7 times more likely and alcoholics to be 1.4 times more likely to be converted to surgery (P < 0.05). Proximal shaft as well as comminuted, segmental, and butterfly fractures were also linked to a higher rate of conversion. CONCLUSIONS: This large multicenter study identified a 29% surgical conversion rate, with nonunion as the most common reason for surgical intervention after the failure of functional brace. These results are markedly different than previously reported. These results may be helpful in the future when counseling patients on the choice between functional bracing and surgical intervention in managing humeral shaft fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Negative Stress Examination Under Anesthesia Reliably Predicts Pelvic Ring Union Without Displacement.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the negative predictive value of examination under anesthesia (EUA) for determining pelvic ring stability and union without further displacement. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Two academic Level 1 trauma centers. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-four adult patients with closed pelvic ring injuries treated over a 5-year period. INTERVENTIONS: Pelvic stress EUA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pelvic ring union and pelvic ring displacement at final follow-up. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients with closed pelvic ring injuries who underwent pelvic EUA during the study period and had a negative examination (indicating a stable pelvis) were identified. Mean age was 38 years (range 16-76), and 19 patients (55.9%) were male. Twenty-two patients (64.7%) had Young-Burgess lateral compression (LC)-1 injuries with complete sacral fractures, 4 patients (11.8%) had LC-2 injuries, and 8 patients (23.5%) had anteroposterior compression (APC)-1 injuries. Eight patients (23.5%) had associated injuries requiring restricted weight-bearing on one or both lower extremities and were excluded from the analysis. Immediate weight-bearing as tolerated was permitted bilaterally in the remaining 26 patients. Mean pelvic ring displacement at the time of injury was 3.8 mm (range 1-15 mm) for LC injuries and 9.1 mm (range 2-20 mm) for APC injuries. Patients were followed for a mean of 8 months (range 3-34 months). At final follow-up, mean displacement was 3.7 mm (range 0-17 mm) for LC injuries and 7.1 mm (range 2-19 mm) for APC injuries. Mean change in displacement from injury to union was -0.1 mm for LC injuries and -2.0 mm for APC injuries, indicating decreased pelvic ring displacement at union. All patients were able to tolerate full weight-bearing bilaterally with no pain, and there were no instances of delayed operative fixation after negative EUA. CONCLUSIONS: Negative pelvic EUA after closed pelvic ring injury accurately predicts pelvic stability and union without displacement after nonoperative treatment with full weight-bearing bilaterally. Unless otherwise dictated by associated injuries, immediate weight-bearing as tolerated seems safe in patients with pelvic ring injuries who have had a negative EUA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Clamp-assisted reduction of high subtrochanteric fractures of the femur: surgical technique.

BACKGROUND: Subtrochanteric fractures can be a treatment challenge. The substantial forces that this region experiences and the fact that the proximal fragment is frequently displaced make accurate reduction and internal fixation difficult. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a series of patients who had undergone clamp-assisted reduction and intramedullary nail fixation to determine the impact of this technique on fracture union rates and reduction quality. METHODS: Between December 2003 and January 2007, fifty-five consecutive patients with a displaced high subtrochanteric femoral fracture were treated with clamp-assisted reduction and intramedullary nail fixation at two level-I trauma centers. Two patients died, and nine were lost to follow-up. The remaining forty-four patients were followed until union or a minimum of six months. There were twenty-seven male and seventeen female patients with a mean age of fifty-five years. All were treated with an antegrade statically locked nail implanted with a reaming technique as well as the assistance of a reduction clamp placed through a small lateral incision. Nine patients were treated with a single supplemental cerclage cable. Radiographs were evaluated for the quality of the reduction and fracture union. RESULTS: Forty-three of the forty-four fractures united. All reductions were within 5° of the anatomic position in both the frontal and the sagittal plane. Thirty-eight (86%) of the forty-four reductions were anatomic. Six fractures had a minor varus deformity of the proximal fragment (between 2° and 5°). There were no complications. DISCUSSION: Surgical treatment of subtrochanteric femoral fractures with clamp-assisted reduction and intramedullary nail fixation techniques with judicious use of a cerclage cable can result in excellent reductions and a high union rate. Careful attention to detail is important to perform these maneuvers with minimal additional soft-tissue disruption.

Clamp-assisted reduction of high subtrochanteric fractures of the femur.

BACKGROUND: Subtrochanteric fractures can be a treatment challenge. The substantial forces that this region experiences and the fact that the proximal fragment is frequently displaced make accurate reduction and internal fixation difficult. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a series of patients who had undergone clamp-assisted reduction and intramedullary nail fixation to determine the impact of this technique on fracture union rates and reduction quality. METHODS: Between December 2003 and January 2007, fifty-five consecutive patients with a displaced high subtrochanteric femoral fracture were treated with clamp-assisted reduction and intramedullary nail fixation at two level-I trauma centers. Two patients died, and nine were lost to follow-up. The remaining forty-four patients were followed until union or a minimum of six months. There were twenty-seven male and seventeen female patients with a mean age of fifty-five years. All were treated with an antegrade statically locked nail implanted with a reaming technique as well as the assistance of a reduction clamp placed through a small lateral incision. Nine patients were treated with a single supplemental cerclage cable. Radiographs were evaluated for the quality of the reduction and fracture union. RESULTS: Forty-three of the forty-four fractures united. All reductions were within 5 degrees of the anatomic position in both the frontal and the sagittal plane. Thirty-eight (86%) of the forty-four reductions were anatomic. Six fractures had a minor varus deformity of the proximal fragment (between 2 degrees and 5 degrees ). There were no complications. DISCUSSION: Surgical treatment of subtrochanteric femoral fractures with clamp-assisted reduction and intramedullary nail fixation techniques with judicious use of a cerclage cable can result in excellent reductions and a high union rate. Careful attention to detail is important to perform these maneuvers with minimal additional soft-tissue disruption.

Selective screw placement in forearm compression plating: results of 75 consecutive fractures stabilized with 4 cortices of screw fixation on either side of the fracture.

OBJECTIVES: To (1) assess the effectiveness of an alternative plate and screw construct for all diaphyseal forearm fracture patterns and (2) test the hypothesis that as the working length (WL) to plate length (PL) ratio increases, so does the construct instability and therefore likelihood of failure. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: Level 1 trauma center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-three patients were operatively treated and 53 were available for follow-up, totaling 75 diaphyseal fractures (19 ulna, 12 radius, and 22 radius/ulna). Average follow-up was 14.6 months (8-26). MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Patients were followed postoperatively at 1 to 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 4 months, and then at 3 month intervals. Radiographs were analyzed for changes in fracture alignment, loose or broken hardware, and fracture-healing characteristics. Fracture union was defined when a fracture was radiographically healed and clinically asymptomatic, and the patient was able to return to all activities without restrictions. RESULTS: No fractures showed radiographic evidence of changes in alignment after fixation. There were no refractures, no infections, and one nonunion. The overall union rate after the index procedure was 97.1% for the radius and 97.6% for the ulna. WL:PL ratio averaged 0.17 (range 0-0.57) and the most frequently used PL was 7 holes (n=43). Patients with closed fractures did have a significantly reduced time to union when compared to those with open fractures (P=0.002). Overall union rate averaged 9.8 weeks (range 6-32 weeks). CONCLUSIONS: Fixation with a standard length compression plate and four cortices of screw fixation on either side of the fracture seems to be a stable construct for diaphyseal forearm fractures and may result in union rates equivalent to those cited in the literature.