Protocol of BRICS: Brazilian multicentric pragmatic randomised trial of surgical interventions for displaced diaphyseal clavicle fracture study: MIPO versus ORIF for the treatment of displaced midshaft clavicle fractures.

INTRODUCTION: Fractures of the diaphysis of the clavicle are common; however, treatment guidelines for this condition are lacking. Surgery is associated with a lower risk of non-union and better functional outcomes but a higher risk of complications. Open reduction and internal fixation with plates and screws are the most commonly performed techniques, but they are associated with paraesthesia in the areas of incisions, extensive surgical exposure and high rates of implant removal. Minimally invasive techniques for treating these fractures have a lower rate of complications. The aim of this study is to evaluate which surgical treatment option (minimally invasive osteosynthesis or open reduction and internal fixation) has better prognosis in terms of complications and reoperations. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The study proposed is a multicentric, pragmatic, randomised, open-label, superiority clinical trial between minimally invasive osteosynthesis and open reduction and internal fixation for surgical treatment of patients with displaced fractures of the clavicle shaft. In the proposed study, 190 individuals with displaced midshaft clavicle fractures, who require surgery as treatment, will be randomised. The assessment will occur at 2, 6, 12, 24 and 48 weeks, respectively. The primary outcome of the study will be the number of complications and reoperations. For sample size calculation, a moderate effective size between the techniques was considered in a two-tailed test, with 95% confidence and 90% power. Complications include cases of infection, hypertrophic scarring, non-union, refracture, implant failure, hypoesthesia, skin irritation and shoulder pain. Reoperations are defined as the number of surgeries for pseudoarthrosis, implant failure, infection and elective removal of the implant. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Study approved by the institutional ethics committee (number 34249120.9.0000.5505-V.3). The results will be disseminated by publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations in medical meetings. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: RBR-3czz68)/UTN U1111-1257-8953.

Three-Dimensional Digital Surgical Planning and Rapid Prototyped Surgical Guides in Bernese Periacetabular Osteotomy.

Bernese periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) developed by Ganz is currently the treatment of choice for skeletally mature symptomatic patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) without osteoarthritis. However, the steep learning curve and considerable number of severe complications lead surgeons to seek for alternatives to promote greater reproducibility and safety of this procedure. This is a report of a DDH case surgically treated with the aid of a digital three-dimensional (3D) planning and rapidly prototyped sterile ABS plastic osteotomy guide, developed in Brazil. We present details regarding the planning, guide production, and surgical technique and report the early results of this treatment approach in a single patient. Digital 3D planning and rapidly prototyped surgical guides are applicable and helpful in PAO surgery as shown in this case. We noted no safety issues, good accuracy, and low production costs with this approach.

Comparative Study of Function and Quality of Life in Patients with Fracture of the Tibial Plateau Operated with Locked or Conventional Plates.

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical, functional, and quality of life outcomes between patients with tibial plateau fractures operated with locked or conventional plates, and to compare the costs of these implants. METHODS: This was a comparative cross-sectional study of a consecutive series of patients with tibial plateau fractures treated surgically from August 2015 to June 2016. Patients < 18 years old, those unable to answer the questionnaires or to attend the outpatient reassessment, polytrauma patients, those with associated injuries on the ipsilateral limb, and patients who had not undergone treatment with bone plates were excluded. The present study compared the costs of the implants for the hospital, quality of life (with the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey [SF-12]), Lysholm score, pain scale, and clinical and radiological parameters. RESULTS: A total of 45 patients with tibial plateau fractures were admitted, and 11 cases were excluded. Two cases were lost to follow-up; therefore, 32 remained for the analysis (94%). The mean follow-up time was of 15.1 months (standard deviation [SD] = 4.8 months). In group A (locked plates), there were 22 patients (69%), at an average hospital cost of BRL 4,125.39/patient (SD = 1,634.79/patient) for the implants. In group B (conventional plates) there were 10 patients (31%), at an average cost of BRL 438.53 (SD = 161.8/patient) ( p < 0.00001). For the other parameters, no differences were observed, except for a greater articular depression in group A (2.7 mm ± 3.3 mm versus 0.5 mm ± 1.6 mm; p = 0.02; TE = 0.90). CONCLUSION: The costs of locked implants for the treatment of tibial plateau fractures are significantly higher than those of conventional implants, without any clinical, quality of life, radiological, or functional advantages of the locked implants demonstrated in the present series.

Parental awareness and perception for correct use of child restraint systems and airbags in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to obtain information about the current knowledge and habits of parents who transport children in cars in Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using specifically designed self-report questionnaires to parents of children attending a private pediatric office in a town in southwest Brazil. Data were collected regarding children's age, gender, height, and weight and possession of an automobile child restraint system (CRS), its type, frequency and adequacy of use, and reasons for not possessing or not using the devices. Parents were asked whether their cars were equipped with airbags and about the use of the restraints in seats with airbags. RESULTS: We interviewed parents of 293 children transported in cars who met the criteria for use of a CRS. Children were younger than 1 year in 15.3% of the cases, between 1 and 4 years in 38.6%, and older than 4 in 46.1%. Cars were equipped with CRS in 78.5% of the cases, but in only 58% of the cases was the device proper for child's age and adequately installed in the seat. Among owners of the devices, 84.3% reported that they always used it. Reasons for infrequency were forgetting the device at home or in another car (6.4%), the child disliking the device (3.2%), or the false impression that the child was grown enough not to use it (3.2%)l 87.1% did not justify why they did not always use the CRS. Considering type of CRS, correct installation of the seat, and frequency of use, only 44.4% of children under 1 year, 69.9% of those 1 to 4 years, and 52.6% over age 4 were protected. Only 28.6% of the parents knew that children should never be positioned in a seat with active airbags. CONCLUSION: Considering appropriateness for age, correctness of installation (in the back seat in the correct orientation), and frequency of use, only 50.85% (149/293) of the children were reported as always protected with a CRS. Children between 1 and 4 years were more likely to always use a CRS in this Brazilian survey. We were also able to identify an important gap in the knowledge about airbags among parents. Further efforts are needed to correct those distortions.

DEVELOPMENTAL DYSPLASIA OF THE HIP: DO THE RESPONSIBLE FOR SCREENING KNOW WHAT TO DO?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the knowledge on developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) by professionals involved in its diagnosis. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study using questionnaires to assess the knowledge about DDH. Orthopedic surgeons and pediatricians, residents and medical students from a tertiary teaching hospital were included in the study. RESULTS: We evaluated 142 medical students, eight orthopedic residents, ten pediatric residents, seven pediatricians, and nine orthopedic surgeons; 50% declared not having examined any DDH case in the last year and only three had diagnosed more than 10 cases during their career. Regarding self-assessed knowledge (0-10), the average score was 4.25 [n=186; SD=2.43]. Nineteen percent of the participants ignored semiological tests and 26.1% of pediatricians (specialists and residents), were unaware of how to perform them. The most acknowledged and neglected risk factor was pelvic presentation (68%) and CMT (9.3%), respectively. None of the participants were able to identify all the risk factors. The average number of risk factors identified was two (n=186; SD=1.58). Forty seven point three percent of the participants failed to recognize the time of birth as the ideal moment for diagnosis; 17% reported it was after the first month. Regarding neglected severe DDH, 45.3% failed to recognize its natural history. CONCLUSION: Knowledge on DDH among health professionals who are involved in screening is flawed. Level of Evidence IV, Developing a Decision Model.

Surgical Treatment of a Case of Ledderhose's Disease: A Safe Plantar Approach to Subtotal Fasciectomy.

Plantar fibromatosis, Ledderhose's disease, or Morbus Ledderhose is an uncommon benign nodular hyperplasia of the plantar aponeurosis. The aim of this paper was to report the case of a 47-year-old male patient who had concomitant Dupuytren's disease and failed all conservative measures. He was treated surgically with prompt and complete relief of symptoms postoperatively, and he has had no recurrence at the 2-year follow-up. In this richly documented case, we discuss details of the surgical technique and anatomy, which was important for a successful outcome and preventing complications. The technique for subtotal fasciectomy is reviewed and the relevance of the adequate choice of skin incision to prevent painful scarring, skin necrosis, and difficulties with shoe wearing is highlighted.

Surgical treatment of eosinophilic granuloma in the thoracic spine in patients with neurological lesions.

Eosinophilic granuloma is a benign, self-limited condition most commonly seen in children around 10 years of age. There is no known cause concerning its etiology. The lesion is usually solitary and can involve the whole vertebral body with massive destruction and vertebral collapse ('coin lesion') but this appearance is not pathognomonic. Vertebral collapse may lead to neurological symptoms that might be severe. We describe two cases of eosinophilic granuloma, in which the patients have thoracic pain, numbness and weakness in their legs. Radiography, computed axial tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed vertebral collapse and compression of the spinal cord. A biopsy was performed and the diagnosis of eosinophilic granuloma was confirmed by histological analysis. Both patients were treated surgically and they had gradual recovery of neurological deficit after the surgery.