Free tissue versus local tissue: A comparison of outcomes when managing open tibial diaphyseal fractures.

INTRODUCTION: Open lower extremity fractures pose a challenge for treating surgeons. All surgical strategies have the common aim to facilitate fracture healing. Fracture union, however, should be critically considered in the context of functional recovery and not in isolation. Both local and free tissue transfer have benefits and drawbacks. AIM: This study aims to compare the functional outcomes of open tibial diaphyseal fractures managed with internal fixation, comparing outcomes of those receiving free tissue transfer as opposed to local flaps METHODS: This study follows the STrengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) criteria. Data were collected retrospectively from a prospectively maintained database at our institution. Inclusion criteria included a non-comminuted Gustilo type-IIIB open tibial diaphyseal fracture requiring intramedullary nailing. Forty three patients with local flaps and 180 patients with free flaps were included RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: 233 patient underwent reconstruction for open fracture using local flaps (n=43) or free flaps (n=180). In the context of Gustilo type-IIIB non-comminuted, mid-tibial diaphyseal fractures treated with intramedullary nailing, free fasciocutaneous flap reconstructions leads to significantly improved functional outcomes in patients of all ages when compared to local fasciocutaenous flaps. (77 ± 19 v 50 ± 22 % for local flaps; P < 0.001).

Outcomes of Orthopaedic Trauma Services at a UK Major Trauma Centre During a National Lockdown and Pandemic: The Need for Continuing the Provision of Services.

Aim To review the trauma operating workload, theatre time and outcomes at a time of national lockdown at the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, comparing it with a year prior. Methods A retrospective case-control study was performed in a single Level 1 Major Trauma Centre (MTC) in the UK. Inclusion criteria were all patients undergoing operative intervention for an emergency or urgent trauma admission within our Trauma and Orthopaedics department. Data collected included anatomical area of injury, cause of injury, operative procedure, type of anaesthesia, total theatre time, complications, and mortality at 30 days. Results A total of 159 operations were performed on 142 patients in April 2019, and 110 operations on 106 patients in April 2020 (time of national lockdown). There was a 30% decrease due to reduced numbers of road traffic accidents and sport-related injuries. The number of hip fractures and those injuring themselves from less than 2m height remained the same. Operative total theatre time increased by a mean of 14 minutes, and complications and mortality were not significantly changed. The incidence of COVID in the patients tested was 8.5%, which matched the population incidence at the time.  Conclusions Orthopaedic trauma services need to be provided during a national lockdown. There was no decrease in the volume of patients sustaining falls, which includes hip fractures. Mean operating time only increases by 14 minutes with the wearing of PPE. This should be part of future planning of any pandemics or national lockdowns.

A Novel Automated System Yields Reproducible Temporal Feeding Patterns in Laboratory Rodents.

BACKGROUND: The impact of temporal feeding patterns remains a major unanswered question in nutritional science. Progress has been hampered by the absence of a reliable method to impose temporal feeding in laboratory rodents, without the confounding influence of food-hoarding behavior. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop and validate a reliable method for supplying crushed diets to laboratory rodents in consistent, relevant feeding patterns for prolonged periods. METHODS: We programmed our experimental feeding station to deliver a standard diet [StD; Atwater Fuel Energy (AFE) 13.9% fat] or high-fat diet (HFD; AFE 45% fat) during nocturnal grazing [providing 1/24th of the total daily food intake (tdF/I) of ad libitum-fed controls every 30 min] and meal-fed (3 × 1-h periods of ad libitum feeding) patterns in male rats (Sprague-Dawley: 4 wk old, 72-119 g) and mice [C57/Bl6J wild-type (WT): 6 mo old, 29-37 g], and ghrelin-null littermates (Ghr-/-; 27-34 g). RESULTS: Grazing yielded accurate, consistent feeding events in rats, with an approximately linear rise in nocturnal cumulative food intake [tdF/I (StD): 97.4 ± 1.5% accurate compared with manual measurement; R2 = 0.86; tdF/I (HFD): 99.0 ± 1.4% accurate; R2 = 0.86]. Meal-feeding produced 3 nocturnal meals of equal size and duration in StD-fed rats (tdF/I: 97.4 ± 0.9% accurate; R2 = 0.90), whereas the second meal size increased progressively in HFD-fed rats (44% higher on day 35 than on day 14; P < 0.01). Importantly, cumulative food intake in grazing and meal-fed rats was identical. Similar results were obtained in WT mice except that less restricted grazing induced hyperphagia (compared with meal-fed WT mice; P < 0.05 from day 1). This difference was abolished in Ghr-/- mice, with meal initiation delayed and meal duration enhanced. Neither pattern elevated corticosterone secretion in rats, but meal-feeding aligned ultradian pulses. CONCLUSIONS: We have established a consistent, measurable, researcher-defined, stress-free method for imposing temporal feeding patterns in rats and mice. This approach will facilitate progress in understanding the physiologic impact of feeding patterns.

Is There a Role for Early Palliative Intervention in Frail Older Patients With a Neck of Femur Fracture?

BACKGROUND: Patients with a neck of femur fracture have a high mortality rate. National outcomes have improved significantly as the management of this patient group is prioritized. In 2016, however, 4398 (6.7%) patients died within 30 days of admission. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether palliative care could be integrated early in the care plan for high-risk patients. METHODS: All cases of inpatient mortality following neck of femur fracture at North Bristol Major Trauma Centre over a 24-month period were reviewed. A comprehensive assessment of care was performed from the emergency department until death. All investigations, interventions, and management decisions were recorded. A consensus decision regarding expected mortality was made for each case at a multidisciplinary meeting which included surgical, orthogeriatric, nursing, and anesthetic team input. RESULTS: A total of 1033 patients were admitted following a neck of femur fracture. There were 74 inpatient deaths, and 82% were considered predictable at our multidisciplinary meeting. The mean length of stay was 18 days (range: 0-85, median 14). In 42% of cases, mortality was considered predictable on admission, and 40% were considered predictable following acute deterioration. These patients received on average 28 blood tests (range: 4-114) and 6.8 X-rays and computed tomographies (range: 2-20). Of this, 66% received end-of-life care; mean duration 2.3 days (range: 0-17). CONCLUSIONS: Mortality rates remain high in a subset of patients. This study demonstrates that intensive investigation and medical management frequently continues until death, including in patients with predictably poor outcomes. Early palliative care input has been integrated successfully into patient management in other specialties. We demonstrate that it is feasible to identify patients with hip fracture who may benefit from this expertise.