Current Concepts: Corrective Osteotomy for Extra-Articular Deformity Following a Distal Radius Fracture.

Fracture malunion alters wrist and distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) biomechanics, resulting in incongruence and instability of the DRUJ. Selected patients with painful functional limitation and significant deformity of the radius, but without advanced degenerative joint disease, may benefit from corrective distal radial osteotomy. Non-union and complications arising from metalwork are the most common reasons for reoperation. Surgeons should have a good understanding of risks and complications in order to fully inform their patients and manage expectations. This article reviews the biomechanical effects of radial malunion and the current concepts for treatment. Distal radial osteotomy is suitable for symptomatic patients with angular radial deformity and shortening. Evidence supports a volar approach without bone grafts for modest corrections. Bone grafts or synthetic bone substitutes are appropriate for larger corrections. Functional improvements are reported regardless of technique. Despite a high complication rate, patient satisfaction with the corrective radial osteotomy is high.

Surgical management of distal humerus gunshot fractures: descriptive case series.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to report our 5 years surgical experience and the rate of neurovascular injury following gunshot fractures of the distal humerus in a in level-1 Trauma Centre in South Africa. METHODS: A retrospective case series of 25 consecutive adult gunshot injuries to the distal humerus. Demographic and injury data were extracted from clinical case notes and electronic operative records. Imaging archives were used to classify fractures according to the AO/OTA classification. RESULTS: Twenty-five male patients, with mean age of 32-years-old, sustained gunshot injuries to the distal humerus. Eleven patients had multiple gunshots. Forty-four percent of patients underwent Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA), 20% had confirmed brachial artery injury. Limbs with vascular injury were salvaged with arterial repair and external fixation. Fractures were extra-articular in 20 cases (80%). Nineteen fractures were classified as highly comminuted. Nerve injuries occurred in 52% and were all managed expectantly. Only 32% of patients attended follow-up beyond 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: These are rare challenging injuries with high rates of neurovascular damage. This demographic of patients is poorly compliant with follow up highlighting the need for high-quality early care. Brachial artery injury should be excluded with CTA and can be managed with arterial repair and external fixation. All fractures in this series were surgically managed with conventional anatomical plate and screw fixation techniques. For nerve injury, we advocate expectant management. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Long-term patient reported sexual and urological dysfunction in males after operatively treated pelvic ring injuries Do generic outcome measures identify genitourinary health problems?

BACKGROUND: A consecutive series of 177 male patients, with high energy pelvic ring injuries, were treated operatively in our institution. The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term sexual and urological dysfunction in these patients using validated disease specific patient reported outcome measures (PROMs), and identify if sexual and urological dysfunction is detectable from generic outcome scores used in the assessment of pelvic ring injury at a minimum of 10 years follow-up (range 10-22). METHODS: Surviving patients were contacted to complete validated PROMs to examine genitourinary and global functional outcome. Fifty-two male participants, had a mean age of 44-years-old (range,16-69) and ISS of 17 at time of injury. Mean duration follow-up of 15 years. The primary outcome measures were the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) and the Modular Questionnaire for Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (MLUTS). Secondary outcomes were the EQ-5D and Short Form 36. Responses were tested for correlation between generic and disease-specific PROMs and analyzed for association with genitourinary injury and age as risk factors of poor outcome. RESULTS: Genitourinary injuries occurred in 7 patients (13%), and ten patients (19%) had documented neurological dysfunction following injury. Satisfactory general functional outcome was reported with EQ-5D-3L VAS score of 71. However, 80% report some level of sexual dysfunction with 37% reporting it as severe. MLUTS mean symptom score was 9 (range, 0 - 26) and bothersomeness score was 21 (range, 0-90). There was poor correlation between urological and sexual dysfunction scores and between the disease specific and generic scores. CONCLUSION: In operatively treated pelvic ring injuries, validated disease specific PROMs, (SHIM and MLUTs) identified a significant impact to both sexual and urological patient health, with 37% reporting severe sexual dysfunction. Longstanding sexual and/or urological dysfunction can be a source of significant psychological impact that this study has shown is not identifiable using generic PROMs; EQ-5D-3L and SF-36. To gain a holistic understanding of the functional outcome of patients following a pelvic injury, urological and sexual dysfunction must not be overlooked.

Simultaneous 4 Compartment Pressure Monitoring in Diagnosis of Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome of the Forearm.

The authors describe a technique for bilateral simultaneous measuring of forearm compartments pressure for assessment of suspected chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the forearm. Under ultrasound guidance, 18-G cannulae were inserted bilaterally into the superficial flexor and dorsal extensor forearm compartments. The imaging was used to confirm safe subfascial placement, and ensured no kinking or catching on the muscle bellies during dynamic movements. An arterial pressure transducer with 4 portals allowed simultaneous measurements from 4 compartments. Intracompartmental pressure (ICP) was measured in 2 ways, (1) hand in a relaxed position and (2) power grip with Jamar Dynamometer. After baseline measurements were taken, the patient undertook a period of rowing sufficient to generate symptoms. ICPs were then recorded at 1, 2, and 5 minutes by which time symptoms had resolved. Using this method ICPs in 4 myofascial compartments was measured in the same limb, simultaneously, pre- and postexercise.

Long-Term Patient-Reported Functional Outcome of Polytraumatized Patients With Operatively Treated Pelvic Fractures.

OBJECTIVES: To report the long-term functional outcome of a cohort of patients with operatively treated unstable pelvic fractures using validated patient-reported outcome measures. DESIGN: Long-term observational study using prospective and retrospective data. SETTING: Tertiary referral pelvic trauma center, Bristol, United Kingdom. PATIENTS: Seventy-four polytraumatized patients with operatively treated unstable pelvic ring injuries (50 OTA/AO type B and 24 OTA/AO type C, mean Injury Severity Score 17) treated between 1994 and 2005. INTERVENTION: Sixty-four (86%) patients were treated with internal fixation. The remaining 10 patients (14%) were treated with either combined percutaneous posterior fixation and anterior external fixation or external fixation in isolation. MAIN OUTCOME: Patient-reported functional outcome. MEASUREMENTS: Short Form-36, with UK norm-based comparator scores and EQ-5D-3L. RESULTS: Patients were between 11 and 22 years after injury (mean 15 years). We found no significant association between fracture classification and outcome score, but compared with age- and sex-matched scores for a UK population, differences were statistically significant in 3 of the 8 domains of health: physical function (P = 0.04), bodily pain (P = 0.001), and vitality (P = 0.001). The level of disability remained constant for these patients compared with their patient-reported outcome measure scores reported 8 years previously. CONCLUSION: Patients who sustain an unstable pelvic fracture continue to have significant functional limitations compared with an uninjured population. These changes were not found to be related to age, injury pattern, genitourinary injury, or neurological injury. Functional outcome scores did not change over the 2 long-term time points. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Autologous reconstruction of the inguinal ligament using pedicled fascia lata flap: A new technique.

INTRODUCTION: A technique of reconstructing the inguinal ligament using a pedicled fascia lata flap is described. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 62-year-old man was referred with massive bilateral abdominal wall hernias, following numerous attempts at repair and subsequent recurrences. There was complete absence of the right inguinal ligament. The inguinal ligament was reconstructed using a strip of fascia lata, pedicled on the anterior superior iliac spine. This was transposed to cover the external iliac vessels, and sutured to the pubic tubercle. The musculoaponeurotic abdominal wall was reconstructed with two 20cm×20cm sheets of porcine acellular dermal matrix and an overlying sheet of polypropylene mesh, sutured to the remaining abdominal wall muscles laterally, and to both inguinal ligaments. The cutaneous abdominal wall was closed with an abdominoplasty technique. The reconstruction has remained intact nine months following surgery. DISCUSSION: Complete destruction of the inguinal ligament is rare but can occur following multiple operative procedures or trauma. To date, the only published reports of inguinal ligament reconstruction have been performed using synthetic mesh. The use of autologous tissue should reduce the risk of erosion into the neurovascular bundle, seroma formation, and enhance integration into surrounding tissues. CONCLUSION: This new technique for autologous reconstruction of the inguinal ligament provides a safe alternative to the use of synthetic mesh in the operative armamentarium of plastic and hernia surgeons.