Locking in trochanteric fractures: a comparison of static versus dynamic locking using the Gamma3 nail.

PURPOSE: The Gamma3 nail (Stryker®) is an intramedullary device consisting of a proximal lag screw and distal interlocking screw. It is still unknown whether the screw locking mode could influence clinical outcomes. The aim of this study is to compare static and dynamic screw locking regarding their influence on surgical revisions and lag screw displacement. METHODS: A retrospective single-centre study was performed on patients ≥ 60 years admitted for a trochanteric fracture between September 2016 and January 2020. Surgical revisions and lag screw displacement were evaluated at 6 weeks and 1-year follow-up, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 142 patients were included for analysis. Surgical revisions were needed in 13 cases (9.2%). Indications included implant breakage (n = 3), lag screw cut-out (n = 3), lateral hip pain (n = 6) and non-union (n = 1). The number of surgical revisions was not different between static and dynamic locking (OR 2.55; 95%CI 0.73-8.56; p 0.142). The median lag screw displacement was 2.5 mm, which was similar for static and dynamic locking (2.3 mm versus 2.7 mm; p 0.785). CONCLUSION: The screw locking mode of the Gamma3 nail is not associated with a higher risk of surgical revisions. However, the design of the Gamma3 nail may not be suitable for static locking.

Experience of collaboration between a Dutch surgical team in a Ghanaian Orthopaedic Teaching Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is an indivisible, indispensable part of healthcare. In Africa, surgery may be thought of as the neglected stepchild of global public health. We describe our experience over a 3-year period of intensive collaboration between specialized teams from a Dutch hospital and local teams of an orthopaedic hospital in Effiduase-Koforidua, Ghana. INTERVENTION: During 2010-2012, medical teams from our hospital were deployed to St. Joseph's Hospital. These teams were completely self-supporting. They were encouraged to work together with the local-staff. Apart from clinical work, effort was also spent on education/ teaching operation techniques/ regional anaesthesia techniques/ scrubbing techniques/ and principles around sterility. RESULTS: Knowledge and quality of care has improved. Nevertheless, the overall level of quality of care still lags behind compared to what we see in the Western world. This is mainly due to financial constraints; restricting the capacity to purchase good equipment, maintaining it, and providing regular education. CONCLUSION: The relief provided by institutions like Care-to-Move is very valuable and essential to improve the level of healthcare. The hospital has evolved to such a high level that general European teams have become redundant. Focused and dedicated teams should be the next step of support within the nearby future.

Plate fixation versus conservative treatment of displaced midshaft clavicle fractures: Functional outcome and patients' satisfaction during a mean follow-up of 5 years.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present prospective clinical trial was to compare patient-oriented and surgeon-based outcomes after non-operative care with operative treatment of displaced midshaft clavicle fractures. PATIENTS/METHODS: Between January 2009 and July 2011, 97 consecutive patients presenting with a midshaft clavicle fracture were prospectively recorded and included in this study. The patients were placed in either of the treatment groups on their own preference. They were then seen in outpatient clinic at two, six and 24 weeks were all endpoints were investigated and motivation of choice of treatment was noted. Study follow-up was continued until Augustus 2014, being the time point that long-term functional outcome was measured through a DASH score by letter. RESULTS: 97 patients were included in the functional outcome analysis. The mean DASH and Constant scores were significant better in the operative (90.9±14.2 and 15.7±17.2) than in the conservative treatment group at six weeks (78.7±17.0 and 24.8±16.7). There was a significant improvement in the Constant (95.9±10.5 versus 94.5±5.9) and DASH scores (8.8±12.0 versus 7.1±10.7) for both groups at 24 weeks but there was no significant difference in functional scores between the groups. Four patients developed a non-union, one patient in the operative and three patients in the conservative group. Overall complications were significantly higher in the operative group (31%) compared to the conservative group (9%) (p<0.001). There was no significant difference in long-term functional outcome between the two treatment groups (5.2±9.8 versus 2.5±4.9 p=0.12). Patient's satisfaction was higher in the operative than in the conservative group (p<0.04). CONCLUSION: Significant superior outcome scores were seen at six weeks for the operative group. However, at 24 weeks and 5-year follow-up no difference was seen in functional outcome scores for both treatment groups. Therefore, the challenge for the future is to better identify the subgroup of patients who might benefit from primary surgical intervention.

Survival after resection of a primary malignant melanoma of the small intestine in a young patient: report of a case.

The occurrence of primary melanoma of the small intestine is rare. We describe the case of a 25-year-old man found to have a primary melanoma of the ileum. The patient presented with gradual onset of abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea, weight loss and fatigue. A preoperative diagnosis of a small intestinal tumor was based on the findings of computed tomography scanning. This diagnosis was confirmed at laparoto-my and a partial small bowel resection was performed. Histopathological examination of the resected specimen clarified the exact nature of the lesion, confirming the diagnosis of melanoma. Thorough postoperative investigation did not reveal a primary lesion in the skin, gastrointestinal tract, oculus or brain. Thus, we diagnosed this tumor as a primary lesion. One year after his operation, the patient remains well without any evidence of recurrence. Thus, we diagnosed this small bowel tumor as a primary melanoma of the small intestine.

Patients' characteristics associated with readmission to a surgical intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: Readmission within 48 hours is a leading performance indicator of the quality of care in an intensive care unit. OBJECTIVE: To investigate variables that might be associated with readmission to a surgical intensive care unit. METHODS: Demographic characteristics, severity-of-illness scores, and survival rates were collected for all patients admitted to a surgical intensive care unit between 1995 and 2000. Long-term survival and quality of life were determined for patients who were readmitted within 30 days after discharge from the unit. Quality of life was measured with the EuroQol-6D questionnaire. Multivariate logistic analysis was used to calculate the independent association of expected covariates. RESULTS: Mean follow-up time was 8 years. Of the 1682 patients alive at discharge, 141 (8%) were readmitted. The main causes of readmission were respiratory decompensation (48%) and cardiac conditions (16%). Compared with the total sample, patients readmitted were older, mostly had vascular (39%) or gastrointestinal (26%) disease, and had significantly higher initial severity of illness (P = .003, .007) and significantly more comorbid conditions (P = .005). For all surgical classifications except general surgery, readmission was independently associated with type of admission and need for mechanical ventilation. Long-term mortality was higher among patients who were readmitted than among the total sample. Nevertheless, quality-of-life scores were the same for patients who were readmitted and patients who were not. CONCLUSION: The adverse effect of readmission to the intensive care unit on survival appears to be long-lasting, and predictors of readmission are scarce.

Traumatic hemipelvectomy: Improvements in the last decennia illustrated by 2 case reports.

INTRODUCTION: In this article we present two cases of young men who sustained a traumatic hemipelvectomy. PRESENTATION OF CASE: The first case occurred more than 10 years ago and the second case happened less than 1 year ago. Changes in the management for resuscitation, surgical intervention, and in postoperative treatment are detailed. Goal of this article is to evaluate the changes over time in the treatment of trauma in general and this specific injury in particular. DISCUSSION: Maximum survival chance could be achieved by an aggressive resuscitation (following a massive transfusion protocol-ratio of 1:1:1 unit of blood-products), starting pre-hospitally and continued in the emergency department, immediate control of the haemorrhage and direct surgical intervention. Early and frequent re-explorations are necessary to prevent complications as sepsis and to minimize the chance for complications such as disturbed wound healing and fistula formation. The use of the Vacuum-Assisted Closure therapy nowadays gives the patient an earlier recover and lesser chance at developing complications. Early consultation with plastic surgeons needs to be done in order to achieve an adequate definitive wound-closure (reconstructive surgery). CONCLUSION: A traumatic hemipelvectomy is a catastrophic and mutilating injury, seldom survivable. Maximum survival chance could be achieved by an aggressive resuscitation, frequent re-explorations, the use of VAC therapy and early consultation with a plastic surgeon for reconstructive surgery.