Damage control orthopaedics in polytraumatized patients- current concepts.

The principles of fracture management in patients with multiple injuries continue to be of crucial importance. Early treatment of unstable polytraumatized patients with head, chest, abdomen or pelvic injuries, with blood loss followed by immediate fracture fixation (Early Total Care -ETC) may be associated with secondary life threatening posttraumatic systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Development of SIRS is typically a function of the type and severity of the initial injury (the "first hit"). Immediate Fracture fixation, using reamed nails or plates, in such unstable patients with multiple injuries is subsequently defined as the "second hit" and may be associated with development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multiple organ failure (MOF), with relatively high morbidity and mortality. The other alternative for long bone fracture fixation in unstable polytraumatized patients is based on immediate treatment of life threatening conditions related to the injuries, followed by the initial use of minimally invasive modular external frames for long bone fractures and is called Damage Control Orthopedics (DCO) and is widely accepted. In order to refine the DCO concept and to avoid an overuse of external fixation, the "Safe Definitive Surgery" (SDS) concept has been introduced, which is a dynamic synthesis of both strategies (ETC and DCO). The SDS strategy employs clinical parameters and includes repeated assessment of patients. The following paper is going to summarize historical backgrounds and recent concepts in treatment of polytraumatized patients.

Surgical treatment of the unstable type C pelvic injury.

Rotationally and vertically unstable injuries to the pelvic ring (Type C) require stabilisation of the anterior and posterior pelvic ring complex. Inadequate treatment of these injuries leads to chronic instability of the pelvic ring, which can finally cause permanent disability. Open reduction and stable internal fixation of the anterior and posterior complex of unstable pelvic ring injuries are standard procedures in the treatment of hemodynamically stable patients with (Type C) pelvic injuries. Our aim is to show that this type of treatment achieves excellent and good results. All patients were operated on using the method of open reduction and anterior plate fixation of sacroiliac complex as well as fixation of the pubic symphisis. We present a retrospective study of the results concerning the treatment of 19 patients with (Type C) unstable pelvic injuries. The average age of the patients was 43,21 years old. The final functional results, 2 years post-surgery according to the Majeed scoring system and the results were excellent in 11 (57.89%) and good in 8 (42.1%) patients. There were no bad results to report. Type C pelvic ring injuries are unstable and unless they are adequately treated, they can lead to permanent consequences. Surgical treatment that includes open reduction and stable internal fixation of the anterior and posterior pelvic ring complex leads to excellent and good results. The patients that were treated surgically by fixation of the anterior and posterior pelvic ring complex return to their everyday lives and work activities.

[Avascular necrosis of the femoral head in the patients with posterior wall acetabular fractures associated with dislocations of the hip].

INTRODUCTION: Acetabular fractures are severe injuries, mostly occured in young patients after traffic accident or fall from heights. Of the all acetabular fractures, posterior wall acetabular fractures are the most often observed. Regarding to mechanism of the injury, about 30% of these fractures are associated with posterior hip dislocation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The incidence of AVN in 18 patients with posterior wall acetabular fractures associated with dislocations of the hip is presented. Thompson-Epstein Scale (type I-V) was used as the classification of the injury. Kocher-Langenbeck surgical approach was achieved in all patients. RESULTS: Average following time after surgery was 22, 66 months (8-36 months). After that period the incidence of femoral head AVN was observed in 33.3%. Femoral head AVN was observed in 5.55% of patient who was treated by the reduction of hip dislocation in first 24 hours after injury, while in patients with later reduction, femoral head AVN were observed in 27.77%. CONCLUSION: Posterior wall acetabular fractures associated with hip dislocation are severe injuries. Urgent, closed reduction of the hip, early definitive stable osteosynthesis of acetabulum and the experience of surgical team are factors that greatly decrease the possibility for AVN occurence. Later reduction, comminution of posterior wall of the acetabulum (Thompson- Epstein III et IV), impaction, chondral lesion of the femoral head and associated fractures of femoral head, increase the possibility for AVN occurence.

Surgical treatment of displaced acetabular fractures.

INTRODUCTION: Acetabular fractures are severe injuries, generally caused by high-energy trauma, most frequently from traffic accidents or falls from heights. Fractures of the extremities, head injuries, chest, abdomen and pelvic ring injuries are most commonly associated injuries. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of open reduction and internal fixation of acetabular fractures. The open anatomical reduction of the articular surface combined with a rigid internal fixation and early mobilisation have become the standard treatment of these injuries. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 22 patients of average age 43.13 years. The patients were treated by open reduction and internal fixation at the Orthopaedic Clinic of Nis from 2005-2009. The follow-up was 12 to 60 months, with the average of 21.18 months after surgery. RESULTS: All injured patients were operated on between 4 and 11 days (5.7 days on the average). According to the classification by Judet and Letournel, 15 (68.18%) patients had an elementary acetabular fracture, whereas 7 (31.82%) patients had associated fracture. A satisfactory postoperative reduction implying less than 2 mm of displacement was achieved in 19 (86.36%) patients. The radiological status of the hip joint, determined according to Matta score, was excellent in 15 (68.18%) patients, good in 4 (18.18%) patients and moderate in 3 (13.63%) patients. According to Merle d'Aubigné Scale, the final functional results of the treatment of all operated patients were excellent in 12 (54.54%) patients, good in 7 (31.81%) patients and moderate in 3 (13.63%) patients. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of dislocated acetabular fractures requires an open reduction and a stable internal fixation. Excellent and good results can be expected only if anatomical reduction and stable internal fixation are achieved.

Greenberg dysplasia (hydrops-ectopic calcification-moth-eaten skeletal dysplasia): prenatal ultrasound diagnosis and review of literature.

A second pregnancy of young, nonconsanguineous parents of Macedonian ethnic origin was examined by ultrasound. Polyhydramnios and hydrops fetalis were found as well as severe short limb, short stature, and cystic hygroma of the neck. An artificial abortion was performed at the age of 23 weeks. The radiological features included moth-eaten severely shortened long bones and ectopic calcifications of long bones, vertebral column, ribs, pelvis, larynx, trachea. In addition, the fetus had large head with depressed nasal bridge, severe platyspondyly, and short barrel-shaped trunk. Light microscopy demonstrated lack of chondrocyte columns and disorganization of the cartilaginous architecture. This is the seventh reported case of this rare form of lethal skeletal dysplasia.