Treatment of infected tibial pseudarthrosis by external fixation with the Wagner device.

We analyzed our experience with infected tibial pseudoarthrosis which resulted in a therapeutic plan for a radical operation or a step-by-step method, depending on the type of pseudarthrosis (PS), the severity of the infection, and the skin damage. We think that external fixation with the Wagner device is the procedure of choice. Owing to its simplicity and good stability, it is possible to treat the PS and the infection and to obtain good final results.

Aseptic diaphyseal pseudarthrosis: treatment by rigid internal fixation.

The authors define their concepts with regard to nonunion of fractures and study the possible causes of aseptic diaphyseal pseudarthrosis in the 182 cases in their casuistics. They have found that the indication for osteosynthesis was incorrect in 34% of the cases and when it was correct, the technique was poor in 58%. The authors conclude that the risk of nonunion in fractures and nonconsolidation of pseudarthrosis can be minimished if there is: (1) correct indication with respect to type and level of fracture or pseudarthrosis; (2) choice of an appropriate internal fixation method; and (3) good achievement of the selected osteosynthesis.

New plate for lateral translation in valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy (CUN plate).

A new plate is presented for internal fixation of valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy. This plate enables a controlled translation, permits dynamic compression of the osteotomy line and eludes some of the complications involved in the use of other double-angle plates. The morphological characteristics of the plate as well as its technical and surgical aspects are described. A follow-up study of 63 patients operated on between January 1978 and June 1980 has been carried out, underlining some of the mistakes that can affect the healing time.

[The influence of age on the end-results of the total surgical replacement of the hip]. / Influencia de la edad en el resultado de la cirugía sustitutiva total de la cadera.

A revision of the first 700 total hip prostheses (operated on in the period 1969-1980) is carried out with the purpose to establish the influence of the age on the evolution of the arthroplasty. The results are very satisfactory but it is younger patients that complications related to loosening are more frequent. This fact can be explained by a longer period of evolution and a major prosthetic stress in these patients. By this reason, we do not use actually cement to fix the implants in those patients younger than sixty.

Osteotomies in the treatment of gonarthrosis.

The indications to perform an osteotomy of the knee in cases of a degenerative osteoarthritis are reviewed. The pre-, intra- and postoperative management is explained and the results of a hundred valgus osteotomies are evaluated. Our conclusions are based on the numerous indications for an osteotomy and its satisfactory results.

[Chordoid sarcoma of the femur. Electronic and optical microscopy study of a case]. / Sarcoma cordoide de fémur. Estudio a microscopio óptico y electrónico de un caso

Areas of chordoma and chondrosarcoma have been reported extensively in the same tumoral mass located in espheno-palatine region. The same association in long bones of the extremities have been reported recently, with the name of "chordoide sarcoma", "parachordoma" or "chondroid chordoma". We present a case of "chordoid sarcoma". The cells of this tumor have morphologic features of chordoma and chondrosarcoma in both the optical and ultrastructural study. However some morphological, radiological and clinical aspects, suggest that this tumor possesses characteristics that define it as a separate entity.