Tratamiento de las fracturas por herida de arma de fuego: revisión bibliográfica sistematizada / Treatment of gunshot wound fractures: systematic review of the literature / Tratamento de fraturas por arma de fogo: revisão bibliográfica sistematizada

Introducción: Las fracturas por heridas de arma de fuego son un motivo de consulta habitual en nuestro país. Existe gran variabilidad de conductas respecto a su tratamiento. El objetivo principal de este trabajo es analizar los distintos tratamientos y sus indicaciones. Materiales: Se realizó una revisión sistematizada de la literatura en las bases de datos Pubmed y Scielo. Se incluyeron artículos con fracturas por herida de arma de fuego en miembros superiores e inferiores, excluyendo la mano. Se analizó: tratamiento (ortopédico o quirúrgico), debridamiento, antibioticoterapia y complicaciones. Resultados: Se obtuvieron 19 artículos que cumplían los criterios de inclusión y exclusión. Los artículos tuvieron un Nivel de Evidencia tipo 2b, 3 y 4. Conclusiones: Los artículos analizados tienen un bajo nivel de evidencia. La fijación quirúrgica es variable y depende de la topografía ósea, la lesión de partes blandas y las lesiones asociadas. El debridamiento profundo está relacionado con mayores índices de infección. Las fracturas estables de tratamiento ortopédico no deberían debridarse ya que aumenta los índices de infección. Debería realizarse antibioticoterapia intravenosa inicial en todos los pacientes, la terapia posterior es discutida.

Introduction: Fractures due to gunshot wounds are a common reason for consultation in our country. There is great variability of conduct regarding its treatment. The main objective of this work is to analyze the different treatments and their indications. Materials: A systematic review of the literature was carried out in the Pubmed and Scielo databases. Articles with fractures due to gunshot wounds in the upper and lower limbs (excluding the hand) were included. We analyzed: treatment (orthopedic or surgical), debridement, antibiotic therapy and complications. Results: 19 articles were obtained that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The articles had a Level of Evidence type 2b, 3 and 4. Conclusions: The articles analyzed have a low level of evidence. Surgical fixation is variable and depends on bone topography, soft tissue injury, and associated injuries. Deep debridement is associated with higher rates of infection. Stable orthopedically treated fractures should not be debrided as this increases infection rates. Initial intravenous antibiotic therapy should be performed in all patients, subsequent therapy is discussed.

Introdução: As fraturas por ferimentos por arma de fogo são motivo comum de consulta em nosso país. Há grande variabilidade de conduta quanto ao seu tratamento. O objetivo principal deste trabalho é analisar os diferentes tratamentos e suas indicações. Materiais: Foi realizada revisão sistemática da literatura nas bases de dados Pubmed e Scielo. Foram incluídos artigos com fraturas por arma de fogo em membros superiores e inferiores, excluindo a mão. Foram analisados: tratamento (ortopédico ou cirúrgico), desbridamento, antibioticoterapia e complicações. Resultados: foram obtidos 19 artigos que atenderam aos critérios de inclusão e exclusão. Os artigos tinham Nível de Evidência tipo 2b, 3 e 4. Conclusões: Os artigos analisados ​​apresentam baixo nível de evidência. A fixação cirúrgica é variável e depende da topografia óssea, lesão de tecidos moles e lesões associadas. O desbridamento profundo está associado a maiores taxas de infecção. Fraturas estáveis ​​tratadas ortopedicamente não devem ser desbridadas, pois isso aumenta as taxas de infecção. A antibioticoterapia intravenosa inicial deve ser realizada em todos os pacientes, a terapia subsequente é discutida.

Therapeutic analysis of Herbert screw fixation for capitellar fractures via the anterior approach in adolescent patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to analyze the efficacy of open reduction and Herbert screw fixation for coronal fractures of the capitellum via the anterior approach in adolescents. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and imaging data of 15 adolescents with capitellar fractures who were admitted to our hospital from May 2014 to May 2019. The fracture was reduced through the cubital crease incision via the anterior approach and was internally fixated with Herbert screws. A follow-up was conducted after the operation to examine fracture healing and elbow function. The postoperative functional recovery of patients was evaluated with the Mayo Elbow Performance index (MEPI) and the Broberg-Morrey rating system. RESULTS: Patients underwent surgery 3.7 days after injury on average. Intraoperative fracture reduction was satisfactory. No vascular injury or nerve injury occurred. Bony union occurred in an average of 6 weeks after the operation. All adolescents completed a 12- to 36-month follow-up. At the last follow-up, the Mayo Elbow Performance index was considered excellent in 12 patients and good in three patients. The Broberg-Morrey score was considered excellent in 12 patients, good in two patients, and fair in one patient. CONCLUSION: Open reduction with Herbert screw fixation via the anterior approach is a feasible surgical method for the treatment of coronal fractures of the capitellum in adolescents. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, retrospective study-Level IV.

National trends in extremity fracture hospitalizations among older adults between 2003 and 2017.

BACKGROUND: Fractures in late life are highly consequential for health, services use, and spending. Little is known about trends in extremity fracture hospitalizations among older adults in the United States. DESIGN: Retrospective longitudinal cohort study. SETTING: The 2003-2017 National Inpatient Sample (NIS), a representative sample of U.S. community hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: Hospitalized adults aged 65 and older with a diagnosis of upper or lower extremity fracture. MEASUREMENTS: Incidence of extremity fracture hospitalization and mortality, using NIS discharge and trend weights, and population denominators derived from the U.S. Census Bureau. Incidence was reported separately for men and women by age, fracture diagnosis, and injury mechanism. Weighted linear regression was used to test for significant trends over time. RESULTS: Incidence of extremity fracture hospitalizations declined in both women (15.7%, p trend < 0.001) and men (3.2%, p trend < 0.001) between 2003 and 2017. This trend was primarily attributed to a decline in low energy femur fractures which accounted for 65% of all fracture hospitalizations. Among older adults with an extremity fracture hospitalization, mortality declined from 5.1% in 2003 to 3.3% in 2017 in men, and from 2.6% to 1.9% in women (p trend < 0.001). High energy fractures were due to falls (53%), motor vehicle accidents (34%), and other high impact injuries (13%). Overall, 12% of extremity fracture hospitalizations were attributed to high-energy injuries: increases were observed among men ages 65-74 (20%; p trend < 0.001) and 75-84 (10%; p trend = 0.013), but not among women of any age. CONCLUSION: Observed declines in the incidence of extremity fracture hospitalizations and related mortality are encouraging. However, increasing incidence of fracture hospitalization from high energy injuries among men suggests that older adults with complex injuries will be seen with more prevalence in the future.

Using ultrasound to diagnose long bone fractures.

Point-of-care ultrasound may be an alternative to radiographs for diagnosing long bone fractures when medical resources are limited. Safe and timesaving, ultrasound also can be used in the ED as a screening tool for suspected long bone fractures and can detect associated musculoskeletal injuries. Ultrasound can be used in radiation-sensitive patients such as children and pregnant patients.Studies have found that clinicians using ultrasound can detect long bone fractures with an average 90% sensitivity and specificity after an average of 1 to 4 hours total of didactic and practical training. More research is needed to determine standards for ultrasound training, patient morbidity outcomes, cost effectiveness, and insurance benefits.

Osteomyelitis Risk Factors Related to Combat Trauma Open Upper Extremity Fractures: A Case-Control Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine risk factors for osteomyelitis in US military personnel with combat-related, extremity long bone (humerus, radius, and ulna) open fractures. DESIGN: Retrospective observational case-control study. SETTING: US military regional hospital in Germany and tertiary care military hospitals in the United States (2003-2009). PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-four patients with open upper extremity fractures who met diagnostic osteomyelitis criteria (medical record review verification) were classified as cases. Ninety-six patients with open upper extremity fractures who did not meet osteomyelitis diagnostic criteria were included as controls. INTERVENTION: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Multivariable odds ratios (ORs; 95% confidence interval [CI]). RESULTS: Among patients with surgical implants, osteomyelitis cases had longer time to definitive orthopaedic surgery compared with controls (median: 26 vs. 11 days; P < 0.001); however, there was no significant difference with timing of radiographic union. Being injured between 2003 and 2006, use of antibiotic beads, Gustilo-Anderson [GA] fracture classification (highest with GA-IIIb: [OR: 22.20; CI: 3.60-136.95]), and Orthopaedic Trauma Association Open Fracture Classification skin variable (highest with extensive degloving [OR: 15.61; CI: 3.25-74.86]) were independently associated with osteomyelitis risk. Initial stabilization occurring outside of the combat zone was associated with reduced risk of osteomyelitis. CONCLUSIONS: Open upper extremity fractures with severe soft-tissue damage have the highest risk of developing osteomyelitis. The associations with injuries sustained 2003-2006 and location of initial stabilization are likely from evolving trauma system recommendations and practice patterns during the timeframe. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Three-Dimensional Corrective Osteotomy for Malunited Fractures of the Upper Extremity Using Patient-Matched Instruments: A Prospective, Multicenter, Open-Label, Single-Arm Trial.

BACKGROUND: Medical image processing has facilitated simulation of 3-dimensional (3-D) corrective osteotomy, and 3-D rapid prototyping technology has further enabled the manufacturing of patient-matched surgical guides and implants (patient-matched instruments, or PMIs). However, 3-D corrective osteotomy using these technologies has not been the standard procedure. We aimed to prospectively verify the efficacy and safety of PMIs in corrective osteotomy for deformities of the upper extremity. METHODS: We enrolled 16 patients with a total of 17 bone deformities in the upper extremity. Eight patients had distal radial malunion; 5, distal humeral malunion; and 3, forearm diaphyseal malunion. All cases underwent 3-D corrective osteotomy with PMIs. The primary end point was the residual maximum deformity angle (MDA), which was calculated from 2 deformity angles-1 on the anteroposterior and 1 on the lateral postoperative radiograph. Secondary end points included the deformity angle on radiographs, 3-D error between the preoperative planning model and the postoperative result, range of motion, grip strength, pain measured with a visual analog scale (VAS), patient satisfaction, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score. RESULTS: The average MDA significantly improved from 25.5° preoperatively to 3.3° at the final follow-up (p < 0.001). The angular deformity was within 5° in all cases, except for 1 with distal radial malunion who had a higher angle on the anteroposterior radiograph. The error between the correction seen on the postoperative 3-D bone model and the planned correction was <1° and <1 mm. Flexion and extension of the wrist and pronation of the forearm of the patients treated for distal radial malunion improved significantly, and pronation improved for those treated for forearm diaphyseal malunion. The average VAS score, grip strength, and DASH score significantly improved as well. Of the 16 patients, 15 were very satisfied or satisfied with the outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Corrective osteotomy using PMIs achieved accurate correction and good functional recovery in the upper extremity. Although our study was limited to cases without any deformity on the contralateral side, 3-D corrective osteotomy using PMIs resolved treatment challenges for complex deformities in upper extremities. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Outcomes of coronoid-first repair in terrible triad injuries of the elbow.

BACKGROUND: Clinical outcomes of terrible triad injuries (TTIs) of the elbow are historically poor. To date, it is still debatable whether the coronoid needs to be fixed and if so, how and in which sequence. METHODOLOGY: Between 2010 and 2013, 13 patients were treated surgically for acute TTIs of the elbow at a Tertiary Level 1 Trauma Centre by a single surgeon, using a standardized protocol, which included coronoid-brachialis complex fixation via pull-through trans-osseous sutures, radial head fixation or prosthetic replacement and a repair of the lateral ulnar collateral ligament. Repair of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) was done if valgus-stress test demonstrated persistent instability. Patients were then followed-up with clinical and radiological evaluation by the senior author until fracture union and elbow range of motion reached a plateau. Outcomes measured were range of motion, DASH scores and MEPS, as well as surgical complications. RESULTS: Intraoperative stability was achieved in all 13 cases, MCL repair was required in 3 cases and application of external fixation was not required in any case. Patients were followed-up for an average length of 27.7 months and the minimum follow-up period was 12 months. The average age of patients was 46.4 years (range 35-79 years old) at the time of trauma. This included eight Regan-Morrey Type I and five Regan-Morrey Type II coronoid fractures, with ten Mason Type I/II and three Mason Type III radial head fractures. The average arc of ulno-humeral motion was 105.0° (range 80°-135°). The average flexion contracture was 15.0° (range 0°-40°). The average supination-pronation arc was 114.9° (range 0°-180°). The average MEPS was 85 of 100 (range 45-100) and the average DASH score was 21.2 of 100 (range 1.7-61.2). A single case of radio-ulnar synostosis, heterotropic ossification and two cases of recurrent elbow instability were noted. CONCLUSIONS: The coronoid-first surgical approach, using a suture-lasso fixation method, has technical benefits for us and showed good clinical success in our series. This is important with postero-medial rotatory instability being common in our series of TTIs. We emphasize not to miss a TTI in an apparently isolated low Mason class radial head fracture.

Preliminary results of the induced membrane in upper limb. About 6 cases.

The aim of this study was to describe the preliminary results after reconstruction of segmental bone defects (SBDs) in the upper limb of six patients. This retrospective study included three men and three women with an average age of 35years (range 18-62years), who had four primary and two secondary SBDs. The average length of the SBD was 4.5 cm (2-10cm). According to the SOFCOT classification, type I (1 case), type II (4 cases) and type III (1 case) defects were identified. The reconstruction involved the humerus in two cases and the forearm bones in four cases. A posterior plaster cast was applied in all patients during the first stage of treatment. Internal fixation was used during the second phrase (five plates, one K-wire). The mean time elapsed between the first and the second stages of treatment was 3 months (2-4 months). At the final follow-up, bone union was obtained in five patients after an average of 4.6 months (4-6 months). The progression was favorable after the first stage of the induced membrane technique. However, two cases of sepsis were observed after the second stage of treatment, one evolving to osteitis that caused graft resorption. The induced membrane technique is a sequential technique used for treating SBDs. It is an alternative method of bone reconstruction in the upper limb.

Time Trade-Off as a Measure of Health-Related Quality of Life: Long Bone Nonunions Have a Devastating Impact.

BACKGROUND: Long bone nonunions have an important impact on a patient's quality of life. The purpose of this study was to compare long bone nonunions with use of the Time Trade-Off direct measure to compute utility scores and to determine which nonunion anatomic location had the lowest health-related quality of life. The Time Trade-Off assesses the percentage of a patient's remaining life that the patient would be willing to trade for perfect health. METHODS: Eight hundred and thirty-two consecutive long bone nonunions with Time Trade-Off data were identified and were retrospectively studied from a prospectively collected patient database. Nonunions with infections and those involving the articular portion of the bone were recorded. Time Trade-Off utility scores were obtained for all nonunion cases upon their initial clinical evaluation by a single surgeon specializing in reconstructive trauma. RESULTS: The mean utility score of our nonunion cohort was 0.68 and it differed significantly by long bone (p = 0.037). Nonunions of the forearm had the lowest utility score (0.54), followed by the clavicle (0.59), femur (0.68), tibia or fibula (0.68), and humerus (0.71). Post hoc tests showed that patients with nonunions of the forearm had significantly lower utility scores (p = 0.031) compared with all other bones. CONCLUSIONS: Patients diagnosed with a long bone nonunion have a very low health-related quality of life. We found that this single cohort's mean utility score was 0.68. This result is well below that of illnesses such as type-I diabetes mellitus (0.88), stroke (0.81), and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (0.79). We found that patients with forearm nonunions had the lowest utility scores. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Digital Tomosynthesis to Evaluate Fracture Healing: Prospective Comparison With Radiography and CT.

OBJECTIVE: Radiography, currently the standard for postoperative fracture imaging, is limited by overlapping bone and hardware. Tomosynthesis has the benefit of level-by-level imaging without the disadvantages of metal artifacts, increased radiation, and higher costs of CT, the current problem-solving tool. The purpose of this study was to compare tomosynthesis with radiography for evaluating fracture healing. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In a prospective study, patients within 1 year of wrist hardware fixation underwent radiography, tomosynthesis, and CT, and the images were interpreted by three readers. The diagnostic accuracy of radiology and tomosynthesis was assessed with ROC curves, and interreader agreement was assessed with Cohen kappa. Fracture scores were correlated with Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) and pain scores. RESULTS: The study participants were 49 patients with 51 fractures. The most common fracture sites were distal radius (43%), scaphoid (18%), and metacarpals (18%). Rates of cortex obscuration by hardware were 2% for CT, 8% for tomosynthesis, and 15% for radiography (p < 0.01 between one modality and another). Detection of cortical fracture lines was significantly better with tomosynthesis than with radiography (AUC, 0.84 vs 0.76, p = 0.01). Inter-reader agreement was moderate for both radiography and tomosynthesis (κ = 0.44 vs 0.55, p = 0.051). There was no significant correlation between fracture scores and DASH scores. There was significant correlation between reported pain levels and both tomosynthesis (r = 0.28, p = 0.03) and CT (r = 0.29, p = 0.04) fracture scores. CONCLUSION: Tomosynthesis provides diagnostic information superior to that of ra diography in postoperative evaluation of wrist fractures with lower cost and radiation than CT and should be considered in fracture follow-up imaging of other bones.

An epidemiological evaluation of pediatric long bone fractures - a retrospective cohort study of 2716 patients from two Swiss tertiary pediatric hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Children and adolescents are at high risk of sustaining fractures during growth. Therefore, epidemiological assessment is crucial for fracture prevention. The AO Comprehensive Injury Automatic Classifier (AO COIAC) was used to evaluate epidemiological data of pediatric long bone fractures in a large cohort. METHODS: Data from children and adolescents with long bone fractures sustained between 2009 and 2011, treated at either of two tertiary pediatric surgery hospitals in Switzerland, were retrospectively collected. Fractures were classified according to the AO Pediatric Comprehensive Classification of Long Bone Fractures (PCCF). RESULTS: For a total of 2716 patients (60% boys), 2807 accidents with 2840 long bone fractures (59% radius/ulna; 21% humerus; 15% tibia/fibula; 5% femur) were documented. Children's mean age (SD) was 8.2 (4.0) years (6% infants; 26% preschool children; 40% school children; 28% adolescents). Adolescent boys sustained more fractures than girls (p < 0.001). The leading cause of fractures was falls (27%), followed by accidents occurring during leisure activities (25%), at home (14%), on playgrounds (11%), and traffic (11%) and school accidents (8%). There was boy predominance for all accident types except for playground and at home accidents. The distribution of accident types differed according to age classes (p < 0.001). Twenty-six percent of patients were classed as overweight or obese - higher than data published by the WHO for the corresponding ages - with a higher proportion of overweight and obese boys than in the Swiss population (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Overall, differences in the fracture distribution were sex and age related. Overweight and obese patients seemed to be at increased risk of sustaining fractures. Our data give valuable input into future development of prevention strategies. The AO PCCF proved to be useful in epidemiological reporting and analysis of pediatric long bone fractures.

[Manual reduction of children's Monteggia fractures associated with anterior interosseous nerve injury].

OBJECTIVE: To study clinical results of the manual reduction in treatment. METHODS: From October 2010 to April 2013,39 children with Monteggia fracture associated with anterior interosseous nerve injury were treated by manual reduction and fixation on buckling rotation backward,including 17 females and 22 males with an average age of 6.3 years old ranging from 3.2 to 11 years old. Among them, 15 cases were on the right side and 24 cases on the left. The course of disease was 40 minutes to 8 days (averaged 1.5 days). There were 7 cases with skateboard injured, 13 cases with stumble injured, 11 cases with falling injured,8 cases with air bed injured. According to Bado classification, 13 cases were type II, 22 cases were type III, 4 cases were type IV. RESULTS: The distal forefinger showed exercise normally in 34 cases at 3 weeks after treatment, and the patients restored normal activities at 6 weeks after treatment. All patients were follow-up from 54 days to 6 months (averaged 67 days. According to Mayo elbow functional evaluation standard,the scoring result was 19.62±1.35 in activity, 45.00 ± 0.00 in pain, 9.87 ± 0.80 in stability, 25.00±0.00 in strength, 99.49 ±1.92 in total. The outcome of all patients was excellent and good evaluation results. CONCLUSION: If the anterior interosseous nerve injury could be identified early and treated timely, patients could gradually restore reasonable function and recover with satisfactory results. Raising understanding of anterior interosseous nerve injury can effectively reduce misdiagnosis.

Orthogonal double plate fixation for long bone fracture nonunion.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The treatment of long bone diaphyseal fracture-nonunion is challenging. While taking into account biological needs, a stable mechanical environment is pertinent for fracture healing. This work aims at evaluating the surgical management of stubborn ununited fractures using orthogonal double plating of diaphyseal fractures with limited periosteal stripping and soft tissue dissection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis in a level I trauma center. Between the years 2007-2009, 22 patients were treated with double plating due to nonunion of long bone fractures. Long bones included three clavicles, six humeri, three femora, seven ulnae, two tibiae and one radius. The mean period between index procedures (if existed) and revision procedures was 53.35 weeks (range 6 months-3 years). The same surgical technique, independent on the anatomical location was utilized. Perioperative intravenous antibiotics were withheld until intraoperative cultures were obtained in all patients. An approach to the fracture site was performed with removal of all previous existing hardware, including aggressive debridement of the nonunion site while keeping stripping to the necessary minimum. After primary plate fixation of the fracture with adequate compression, a second plate, with at least two well spaced screws on each side, was placed at a ninety degree angle to the primary plate. Autologous bone graft or bone graft substitute was placed in most, but not all cases. All procedures and assessment of union were done by fellowship trained trauma surgeons. In the infected cases, culture specific intravenous antibiotics were administered for six weeks. Quality of life measures included DASH score of the upper extremity, lower extremity functional score (LEFS) for the lower extremity and Short From 12 (SF-12) for all patients. RESULTS: Union was achieved in all patients, with an average time to union of 5.8 months (range 2-24 months). One patient healed after a repeat double plating, since the first procedure was unsuccessful. Tissue culture were positive in 11 out of 22 patients. One clavicular plate was removed, due to irritation. No hardware failure was noted in these cases. Mean LEFS was 59%, quick DASH score -18.5 20 and SF-12 MCS and PCS were 50.37 15.22 and 49.96 8.5 receptively. CONCLUSION: Double plating is a biomechanically sound option for treating long bone fracture nonunion with reasonable results, provided adequate biological conditions are met including eradication of infection.

Treatment of long bone nonunions: factors affecting healing.

PURPOSE: Nonunions of the upper and lower extremity have been associated with pain and functional deficits. Recent studies have demonstrated that healing of these nonunions is associated with pain relief and both subjective and objective functional improvement. The purpose of this study was to determine which patient and surgical factors correlated with successful healing of a nonunion following surgical intervention. METHODS: Between September 2004 and February 2008, all patients with a "long bone nonunion" presenting to our academic trauma service were enrolled in a prospective data base. Baseline functional, demographic and pain status was obtained. Follow-up was obtained at 3, 6, and 12 months following surgical intervention, with longer follow-up as possible. One hundred and thirty-four patients with a variety of fracture nonunions were operated on by four different fellowship trained trauma surgeons with experience ranging from 2 to 15 years and variable nonunion surgery loads. Patients were stratified into one of three groups: 1. Patients who healed following one surgical intervention, 2. those who healed following multiple surgical intervention, and 3. those who failed to heal (remain ununited or underwent amputation). Healing was determined radiographically and clinically. Complications were recorded. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the cor-relation between specific baseline and surgical characteristics and healing. RESULTS: A minimum of 1 year follow-up was available for all 134 patients. One hundred and one patients (76%) with a mean age of 50 years healed at a mean of 6 months (range, 3 to 16) after one surgery. Twenty-two patients (16%) with a mean age of 47 years, who required more than one intervention, healed their nonunions at a mean of 11 months (range, 4 to 23). Eleven patients (8%) with a mean age of 50 years failed to heal at an average of 12 months follow-up. Complication rates were 11%, 68%, and 100% respectively for those who healed following one procedure, multiple procedures, and those who never healed. Higher surgeon volume (greater than 10 cases per year) was associated with 85% increased healing rates (OR = 0.15, 0.05-0.47 CI). The presence of a postoperative complication was associated with a 9 times lower likelihood of successful union as well (OR = 9.0, 2.6-31.7 CI). Patient age, sex, BMI, initial injury mechanism, tobacco use, and initial injury characteristics did not correlate with failure to heal. CONCLUSION: Our data is similar to other studies assessing outcomes following other complex reconstructive procedures. It appears that more experienced (higher volume) reconstructive surgeons and the development of fewer postoperative complications is associated with greater success following repair of a long bone nonunion. Infection at any point during treatment is associated with failure to achieve successful union.

Induced membrane technique for reconstruction to manage bone loss.

Multiple surgeries are often required to manage segmental bone loss because of the complex mechanics and biology involved in reconstruction. These procedures can lead to prolonged recovery times, poor patient outcomes, and even delayed amputation. A two-stage technique uses induced biologic membranes with delayed placement of bone graft to manage this clinical challenge. In the first stage, a polymethyl methacrylate spacer is placed in the defect to produce a bioactive membrane, which appears to mature biochemically and physically 4 to 8 weeks after spacer placement. In the second, cancellous autograft is placed within this membrane and, via elution of several growth factors, the membrane appears to prevent graft resorption and promote revascularization and consolidation of new bone. Excellent clinical results have been reported, with successful reconstruction of segmental bone defects >20 cm.

[Applications of multidetector computed tomography in limb trauma]. / Aplicaciones de la tomografía computarizada multidetector en la patología traumática de las extremidades.

Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) has significant advantages over plain-film X-rays in the study of the extremities. Acute trauma poses diagnostic challenges, especially in joints in which the overlapping of bony structures impedes the view of the fractures or luxations. Each major joint has at least one classification system for fractures that aims to include the fundamental aspects necessary to orient the most effective treatment. These are the cases in which MDCT's capabilities for multiplanar and three-dimensional reconstructions provide information that is crucial for the management of trauma to the joint.

Aplicaciones de la tomografía computarizada multidetector en la patología traumática de las extremidades / Applications of multidetector computed tomography in limb trauma

La tomografía computarizada multidetector (TCMD) ofrece significativas ventajas frente a la radiología simple en el estudio de las extremidades. El traumatismo agudo plantea desafíos diagnósticos, en especial en aquellas articulaciones en que la superposición de las estructuras óseas impide una clara visualización de las fracturas o luxaciones. Cada articulación mayor cuenta con al menos una clasificación de fractura que trata de recoger los aspectos fundamentales que orientan al tratamiento más efectivo. Ahí es donde la TCMD, con la posibilidad de reconstrucciones multiplanares y tridimensionales, nos aporta una información crucial para el manejo del traumatismo articular (AU)

Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) has significant advantages over plain-film X-rays in the study of the extremities. Acute trauma poses diagnostic challenges, especially in joints in which the overlapping of bony structures impedes the view of the fractures or luxations. Each major joint has at least one classification system for fractures that aims to include the fundamental aspects necessary to orient the most effective treatment. These are the cases in which MDCT's capabilities for multiplanar and three-dimensional reconstructions provide information that is crucial for the management of trauma to the joint (AU)