Hemiarthroplasty for irreparable distal radius fractures in the elderly: A comprehensive review.

BACKGROUND: Elderly patients maintaining functional independence can now be candidates for primary wrist hemiarthroplasty to manage acute irreparable distal radius fractures (DRFs). However, further investigation with long-term follow-up is required to validate these initial findings. AIM: To review the literature on the outcomes of distal radius hemiarthroplasty with available implants to assess its viability as a treatment option. METHODS: A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted using electronic databases, including PubMed, Medline, and Scopus. The search terms employed were "distal radius fracture" , "hemiarthroplasty" , "wrist arthroplasty" , and related terminology. The search was restricted to articles published in English from 1980 until June 2023. Inclusion criteria encompassed cases or case series of DRF treated with hemiarthroplasty, providing clinical or radiographic outcomes, and published in peer-reviewed journals. RESULTS: A total of 2508 articles from PubMed and 883 from Scopus were identified initially. Following screening and removal of duplicates, 13 articles met the inclusion criteria. These articles, predominantly clinical retrospective studies, provided insights into hemiarthroplasty outcomes, including functional improvements and complications. Hemiarthroplasty was a treatment option for complex DRF, particularly those cases with severe comminution, intraarticular involvement, or severe osteoporosis. Functional outcomes demonstrated improvements in pain relief, wrist mobility, and grip strength, with variability across studies. Complications included implant loosening, infection, nerve injury, and stiffness, with varying incidence rates influenced by surgical techniques and implant choice. Long-term outcomes were inadequately documented, warranting further research. CONCLUSION: Hemiarthroplasty is a promising treatment for irreparable DRF in the elderly. Long-term outcomes and complications require further study.

Evaluating Treatment Outcomes for Pelvic Insufficiency Fractures: A Systematic Review.

Background: Pelvic insufficiency fractures (PIF) are typical in geriatric populations with reduced bone quality, most commonly in elderly postmenopausal women. These fractures are usually caused by low-energy forces over the bones during ordinary life and cause disabling pain. Treatment options range from conservative to operative. The aim of this study is to assess the outcomes of treatments for pelvic insufficiency fractures, determining optimal approaches between surgical intervention and conservative management. Methods: This literature review systematically examines articles focusing on patients with PIF, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, and using PubMed, Medline, and the Cochrane Library database. We took into account only full-text articles in indexed journals with available English abstracts, considering data about patient demographics, surgery, and outcomes. Results: After screening 128 articles, this study reviewed 20 manuscripts involving 1499 patients, mostly elderly females and focusing on sacrum fractures. Common treatments included conservative methods and sacroplasty, with a few complications reported. Osteoporosis was the prevalent comorbidity, and the survival rate post-treatment was high at 92.3%. Mobility outcomes varied, with some patients experiencing significant autonomy loss. The average follow-up period was over 17 months. Conclusions: This study found a cautious approach to surgery (timing of three weeks), which is reserved only for specific patterns, and it leads to increased autonomy and a lower risk of mortality. Due to the lack of pre- and postoperative scores as well as conflicting results, it is imperative to undertake further studies and research to be able to compare the alternative treatments efficiently.

Long-term assessment of collagenase treatment for Dupuytren's contracture: A 10-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Enzymatic fasciotomy with collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH) has revolutionized the treatment for Dupuytren's contracture (DC). Despite its benefits, the long-term outcomes remain unclear. This study presented a comprehensive 10-year follow-up assessment of the enduring effects of CCH on patients with DC. AIM: To compare the short-term (12 wk) and long-term (10 years) outcomes on CCH treatment in patients with DC. METHODS: A cohort of 45 patients was treated with CCH at the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint and the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint and underwent systematic re-evaluation. The study adhered to multicenter trial protocols, and assessments were conducted at 12 wk, 7 years, and 10 years post-surgery. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients completed the 10-year follow-up. At 10 years, patients treated at the PIP joint exhibited a 100% recurrence. However, patients treated at the MCP joint only showed a 50% recurrence. Patient satisfaction varied, with a lower satisfaction reported in PIP joint cases. Recurrence exceeding 20 degrees on the total passive extension deficit was observed, indicating a challenge for sustained efficacy. Significant differences were noted between outcomes at the 7-year and 10-year intervals. CONCLUSION: CCH demonstrated sustained efficacy when applied to the MCP joint. However, caution is warranted for CCH treatment at the PIP joint due to a high level of recurrence and low patient satisfaction. Re-intervention is needed within a decade of treatment.

Triangular osteosynthesis and lumbopelvic fixation as a valid surgical treatment in posterior pelvic ring lesions: a systematic review.

Objective: Unstable fractures of the sacrum often occur in patients with pelvic fractures and represent a real challenge for the orthopedic surgeon. Triangular osteosynthesis (TOS) and lumbopelvic fixation (LP) may represent a valid management option for the treatment of this condition. We present a systematic literature review about lumbopelvic fixation and triangular fixation as treatment option for unstable sacral fractures, to assess clinical and radiological outcomes after surgery and to evaluate appropriate indications and impact on the natural history of sacral fractures. Methods: The review is reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. 50 articles out of 108 titles, were considered eligible for the full-text analysis. Finally, 16 studies that met inclusion criteria were included in this review. Results: Overall, 212 patients (87 males, 58 females) with sacral fractures treated with TOS triangular fixation or LP lumbopelvic fixation were collected. The mean age was 37.6 years. Mean follow-up reported in all studies was 24.14 months. Conclusion: The results presented by the different authors, highlight the effectiveness of TOS triangular fixation and LP lumbopelvic fixation for the treatment of unstable sacral fractures associated with other pelvic fractures, in terms of function, stability, cost-effectiveness, and quality of life postoperatively.

Does mild intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy require an aggressive management? Evidence from a prospective observational study focused on adverse perinatal outcomes and pathological placental findings.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the most effective approach in pregnancies complicated by mild intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (mICP) by evaluating rates of adverse perinatal outcomes (APOs) and pathological placental findings. METHODS: A total of 89 pregnancies complicated by mICP (defined as total serum bile acids (TSBAs) levels <40 µmol/L) were included. One-drug (ursodeoxycholic acid [UDCA]) (n = 49, 55.1%) and combined (UDCA plus S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe)) (n = 40, 44.9%) therapies were compared. RESULTS: No differences were found in demographic, obstetric, and placental characteristics. In UDCA plus SAMe group, premature delivery was a common clinical decision (14.3 versus 25%, p-value = .201), with increased rates of instrumental vaginal delivery (VD; 28.6 versus 40%, p-value = .522), but similar cesarean section (CS) rates (26.5 versus 25%, p-value = .498). Mean placental weight was comparable (UDCA, mean 595.7 g, SD 213.1 g versus UDCA plus SAMe, mean 586.4 g, SD 102.9 g, p-value = .875). A total of 110 lesions were identified, 64 in 25 placentas of patients assigned to the UDCA and 46 in 15 placentas of patients managed by UDCA plus SAMe. Placental findings attributable to maternal malperfusion were found in 41/25 and 32/15 cases treated by UCDA and UDCA plus SAMe (165 versus 213%, p-value = .774), pathological fetal vascular supply in 17/25 and 8/15 placentas (68 versus 53%, p-value = .777), and inflammatory lesions in 6/25 and 6/15 cases (24 versus 40%, p-value = .757). CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancies complicated by mICP and managed by UDCA alone present similar APO rates and placental histopathology if compared with those treated by UDCA plus SAMe, failing to recognize advantages in the combined therapy. Further prospective studies and data sharing from ongoing RTCs could drive changes in therapeutic plan.