Clinical and radiological significance of posteromedial fragment in tibial plateau fractures.

Introduction: The effect of joint fragmentation, especially the posteromedial fragment, on treatment outcomes in tibial plateau fractures has been better understood in recent years. In this study, we wanted to examine whether the accompanying posteromedial fragment has an effect on clinical and radiological results. Patients and methods: Patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation with plate and screw due to tibial plateau fracture were retrospectively screened. The patients were divided into two groups as with and without posteromedial fragment. Clinical, radiological and complications were compared statistically. Results: 38 out of 52 patients were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 46.08, 26 (68.42%) were female and 12 (31.58%) were male. Mean follow-up was 18.55 months. Posteromedial fragment was present in 21 (55.6%) patients, but not in 17 (44.4%) patients. When the two groups were compared according to the Rasmussen clinical and radiological criteria, no statistically significant difference was found. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the rates of infection, non-union, malunion, joint separation, early arthrosis and arthrofibrosis (p > 0.05). A statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of reduction loss rates (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The accompanying tibial plateau fractures of the posteromedial fragment are characteristic fractures. Care should be taken to maintain the stability of the fracture fixation.

Comparison of Open Reduction and Internal Fixation With Minimally Invasive Plating in the Treatment of Distal Tibial Fractures: A Retrospective Study.

Introduction Treatment of distal tibial fractures may be problematic due to their close proximity to the ankle joint and poor skin coverage, resulting in skin problems, deep infection, and malunion. To address these problems, minimally invasive plating methods have been described. In this study, we aimed to compare the clinical findings, radiological findings, and complication rates of patients treated with open reduction or minimally invasive plating. Methods A total of 44 patients with distal tibial fractures with a mean follow-up period of 20.73 (12-50) months were included in this study retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups, those who underwent open reduction and internal fixation and those treated with minimally invasive plates. The two groups were statistically compared in terms of radiological and clinical scores and complication rates (p=0.05). Comparative analysis was also performed for three fracture types in both groups. Results Twenty patients were treated with a minimally invasive approach and 24 patients were treated with the open reduction method. Age, gender, fracture type, and follow-up times were similar between the two groups (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between postop American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Score (AOFAS), anterior distal tibial angle (ADTA), or lateral distal tibial angle (LDTA) values between both groups. There was also no difference in union times or nonunion rates (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in rates of superficial skin problems or deep infections between the two groups (p>0.05). In comparison regarding fracture types, patients with type C fractures seemed to have better outcomes with minimal invasive plating. Conclusion Minimally invasive plating is a good approach in the treatment of distal tibial fractures. The technique seems to be advisable, especially for patients with type C fractures. However, the rates of skin problems and deep infections are similar to those seen with the open reduction method.

Analysis of risk factors affecting mortality in elderly patients operated on for hip fractures: A retrospective comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were (1) to investigate the effects of different demographic and perioperative modalities on mortality rates and (2) to compare mortality rates between different implants in elderly patients operated on for hip fractures. METHODS: In this retrospective study, a total of 314 patients who were operated on for hip fractures were included study. Patients were then divided into four groups based in their implant types: long-stem cementless bipolar hemiarthroplasty (n = 124; 102 female, 22 male; mean age = 84.2 ± 6.4 years), standard-stem cementless bipolar hemiarthroplasty (n = 74; 48 female, 26 male; mean age = 83.5 ± 6.9 years), antegrade intertrochanteric nail (n = 61; 35 female, 26 male; mean age = 78.5 ± 6.8 years), and total hip arthroplasty (n = 55; 34 female, 21 male; mean age = 72.5 ± 4.3 years). Data including gender, age, duration from injury to surgery, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, comorbidities, use of antiplatelet agents, Barthel Index of Activities of Daily Living, type of anesthesia, operation time, preoperative hemoglobin values, blood transfusions given, duration of hospital stay, complications, and type of fracture were recorded. RESULTS: Overall, the mean follow-up was 36.5 (range = 0 - 107) months. The overall mortality rate was 53.2%. The median survival duration was 44.2 ± 5 months (range = 34.3 - 54). Survival rates were found significantly different among the groups (P = 0.001). In the first three years postoperatively, the mortality rate was higher in the standard-stem bipolar hemiarthroplasty group, but in the long-term follow-up, the long-stem bipolar hemiarthroplasty group exhibited the higher mortality rates. It was observed that some parameters had statistically significant effects on the mortality rates. Male gender, higher age, lower hemoglobin values, increased number of blood transfusions, ASA scores ≥3, the existence of ≥ 3 comorbidities were found as main predictors of increased mortality rates. CONCLUSION: The results of this study have shown that age, gender, preoperative hemoglobin levels, ASA scores, and comorbidities are significant factors affecting mortality in elderly patients operated on for hip fractures. Long-stem cementless bipolar hemiarthroplasty appears to show similar rates of mortality with standard-stem cementless bipolar hemiarthroplasty. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Therapeutic Study.

Treatment of femoral defective osteomyelitis with minimal invasive plates.

Although recent treatment modalities reduced chronic osteomyelitis, it is still a challenging problem for both orthopaedic surgeons and patients. Especially treatment of femoral osteomyelitis with defective nonunion is reasonably difficult. Most accepted treatment option is external fixation. But the duration needed for external fixation may be too long for patient compliance. To reduce external fixation duration several methods were described. In this study we described a method for reconstruction of infected femoral defective nonunions using minimal invasive plates.

[Investigation of radioulnocarpal joint load distribution effects of radial shortening osteotomy for the treatment of Kienböck disease: a biomechanical study]. / Kienböck hastaligi tedavisinde kullanilan radyal kisaltma osteotomisinin radioulnokarpal ekleme binen yükler üzerindeki etkilerinin arastirilmasi: Biyomekanik çalisma.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the effects of radial shortening osteotomy on the radiolunate joint load distribution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This biomechanical study used standard left wrist models made of solid foam (Sawbones, Malmö, Sweden). The radioulnocarpal joint load distribution was investigated in the normal wrist model and 2 mm and 4 mm radial shortening osteotomy models under 14 kgf and 25 kgf loads when the wrist position was neutral. RESULTS: In the normal wrist group, the comparison of the average pressure distributions under the 14 kgf and 25 kgf loads shows that the increase at the ulnocarpal joint loading and the decrease at the radiolunate joint loading were statistically significant (p=0.012, p=0.036, respectively). When we compared the respective average pressure distributions after 14 kgf and 25 kgf loading, there were no significant differences between the normal wrist and the osteotomy groups. CONCLUSION: Consequently, radial shortening osteotomy is not effective in decreasing radiolunate joint loading when the wrist is in neutral position.