Should Diastatic Syndesmosis be Stabilized in Advanced Pronation-External Rotation Ankle Injuries? A Retrospective Cohort Comparison.

OBJECTIVE: With or without screw stabilization for diastatic syndesmosis in advanced pronation-external rotation (PE) ankle injuries has not yet been well-determined. Both techniques were retrospectively compared to investigate the superiority of either of the two. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was carried out. From January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2017, 81 consecutive adult patients (average, 42 years; range, 18-78 years; 44 men and 37 women) with advanced PE ankle injuries (stage 3 or 4 PE type) were treated. After malleolar fractures were internally stabilized with screws and plates, the syndesmotic stability was rechecked by external rotation and hook tests. The necessity of cortical screw insertion to stabilize diastatic syndesmosis was decided by the individual orthopaedic surgeon. Postoperatively, a short leg splint was used for 6 weeks. The syndesmotic screw was removed based on the surgeon's policy. The removal of internal fixation for malleolar fractures was required after 1 year. The outcomes of both approaches were compared clinically, and ankle function was compared using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score. For statistical comparison, the chi-square test was used for categorical data and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for numerical data. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients (average, 40 years; range, 18-78 years; 40 men and 31 women) were followed for at least 1 year (87.7%; average, 2 years; range, 1-11 years). Group 1 (with syndesmotic stabilization) had 22 patients and Group 2 (without syndesmotic stabilization), 49 patients. The union rate in Group 1 patients was 100% (22/22), and in Group 2 patients, 91.8% (45/49; p = 0.17). One deep wound infection occurred in Group 1 patients and two in Group 2 patients. Syndesmosis re-diastasis occurred in 13.6% (3/22) of Group 1 patients and 30.6% (15/49) of Group 2 patients (p = 0.13). One syndesmotic screw broke at 6 months. Satisfactory ankle function according to the AOFAS score was noted in 86.4% (19/22) of Group 1 patients and 65.3% (32/49) of Group 2 patients (p = 0.07). CONCLUSION: Insertion of syndesmotic screws to promote ligament healing after internal fixation of malleolar fractures in advanced PE ankle injuries may be reasonable.

A family care model for older persons with hip-fracture and cognitive impairment: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Dementia and hip fracture are both associated with substantial disability and mortality. However, few studies have explored the effects of intervention programs on post-operative recovery of older persons with hip fracture and cognitive impairment. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of a family-centered care model for older persons with hip fracture and cognitive impairment and their family caregivers. DESIGN: Single-blinded clinical trial. SETTING: A 3000-bed medical center in Taiwan. PARTICIPANTS: Older persons hip fracture and cognitive impairment (N = 152); 76 in the intervention group, and 76 in the usual-care control group. METHODS: A family-centered care model consisting of geriatric assessment, discharge planning, in-home rehabilitation, and family caregiver-training for dementia care. Outcomes were assessed 1-, 3-, 6- and 12-months following hospital discharge for older persons with hip fracture and cognitive impairment. Assessed outcomes were self-care ability (performance of activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living), nutritional status, self-rated health, health-related quality of life and self-efficacy, and competence of the family caregivers. RESULTS: Relative to patients who received usual care, those who received the family-centered care intervention had a greater rate of improvement in self-rated health (ß = 1.68, p < .05) and nutritional status (ß = 0.23, p < .05), especially during the first 6 months following hospital discharge. Relative to family caregivers who received usual care, those who received family-centered care had a higher level of competence (ß = 7.97, p < .01), a greater rate of improvement in competence (ß = 0.57, p < .01), and a greater rate of improvement in self-efficacy (ß = 0.74, p < .05) 3 months following hospital discharge. CONCLUSIONS: A family-centered care model enhanced family caregivers' self-efficacy and competence but did not improve the physical recovery of the participants with hip fracture and dementia. We suggest adding an educational component to include geriatric assessment, discharge planning, in-home rehabilitation, and family caregiver-training for dementia care and assessing family caregiver outcomes in interventions for older persons with hip fracture and cognitive impairment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03894709) Tweetable abstract: A family-centered care model consisting of geriatric assessment, discharge planning, in-home rehabilitation, and family caregiver-training for dementia care of older persons with hip fracture and cognitive impairment enhanced family caregivers' self-efficacy and competence.

Surgical treatment of femoral head fractures.

BACKGROUND: Femoral head fractures (FHF) are uncommon and generally caused by high-energy injuries. Surgical reduction with stable fixation of large fragments is believed to have the best outcomes. This retrospective study intended to report outcomes with surgical treatment at our institution and tried to establish treatment algorithm. METHODS: Through the 6-year period (2003-2008), 35 FHF in 35 consecutive patients (average, 30 years) were surgically treated. All FHF were caused by high-energy trauma. Patients' general condition was stabilized first and hip dislocation was manually reduced immediately. Definite fracture treatment was scheduled after admission for an average of 2.9 days (0.3-11 days). Pipkin classification was used as the treatment guide and open reduction with internal fixation was performed in all 35 FHF. RESULTS: These FHF included 21 type I, 7 type II, 3 type III, and 4 type IV fractures. The hip joint had been approached by either an anterior or posterior route depending on the individual surgeon. Internal fixation with screws was performed for all 35 FHF. The average admission was 13.8 days (range, 2-35 days). Thirty patients (86%, 30/35) were followed for an average of 3.3 years (at lease 6 months) and all 30 FHF healed. Avascular necrosis of the femoral head was found in 23% (7/30) patients and six patients were converted to hip arthroplasty for developing advanced stages of avascular necrosis. Heterotopic ossification occurred in 43% (13/30) patients. However, only one patient had range of motion limitation. Besides, one patient had moderate hip osteoarthritis. CONCLUSIONS: FHF are uncommon and generally caused by high-energy injuries. Fracture healing can be attained in all femoral head fractures by using open reduction and screw fixation. Our results by using conventional approaches were associated with high complication rates. Further endeavor to improve the outcome should be taken.

Comparison of supraintercondylar and supracondylar femur fractures treated with condylar buttress plates.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of supraintercondylar (AO/OTA 33-C) and supracondylar (AO/OTA 33-A) femur fractures is generally challenging. Standard treatments include open reduction and internal fixation. However, optimal implants are now being well-defined. This study focus on the comparison between clinical and functional outcomes of fractures treated with condylar buttress plates (CBPs). METHODS: We treated 87 patients with supraintercondylar or supracondylar femur fracture from 2004 to 2008, including 30 supraintercondylar and 24 supracondylar fractures treated with CBPs. Both knee and function scores (per Knee Society) were given to clinical and functional outcomes, and concomitant knee function was assessed per Mize criteria. RESULTS: Union rate of supraintercondylar fractures was 90 % (27/30) and supracondylar fractures was 91.7 % (22/24) (P = 0.68). In supraintercondylar group, 16.7 % revealed postoperative varus deformity, whereas none in supracondylar group (P = 0.045). Knee Society knee score was 73.6 in supraintercondylar group and 85.5 in supracondylar group (P = 0.009); and function score was 62.5 in supraintercondylar group and 83.1 in supracondylar group (P = 0.023). A satisfactory result based on modified Mize criteria was achieved in 50 % of supraintercondylar fractures and in 79.1 % of supracondylar fractures (P = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Use of CBPs for supraintercondylar and supracondylar femur fractures treatment led to a high union rate. However, a high rate of varus deformity occurred in patients with supraintercondylar but not supracondylar fractures. Moreover, CBP treatment in patients with supracondylar fractures led to better functional outcomes than those with supraintercondylar fractures.

Complications of cement-augmented dynamic hip screws in unstable type intertrochanteric fractures--a case series study.

BACKGROUND: Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement-augmented dynamic hip screws (DHS) have been used as a solution in unstable intertrochanteric fractures (ITF). Our aim was to investigate the complications in PMMA cement-augmented DHS. METHODS: All patients who had received DHS plate osteosynthesis with or without PMMA cement augmentation from August 2005 to July 2009 in one medical center were retrospectively reviewed. The fractures were classified as unstable (31-A2.2, 31-A2.3 and 31-A3) on the basis of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen classification. Inclusion criteria were patients older than 75 years, unstable ITF treated with cement-augmented DHS, and a minimum of 12 months of follow-up. Exclusion criteria were stable ITFs, incomplete chart records and imaging studies, loss to follow-up or death before bone union. RESULTS: Three hundred twenty-one patients received DHS during the study period. Sixty-seven patients were included in the study (25 men and 42 women; mean age, 81.2 years). The mean follow-up time was 40.2 months, and the mean union time was 18.5 weeks (12-40 weeks). No patient had a lag screw cut-out. Six patients had delayed union or nonunion with side plate failures, including side plate breakage in 1 patient, screw breakage in 3, screw pullout in 1, and recurrent side plate breakage and screw breakage in 1. Deep infection occurred in 1 patient, and 1 had osteonecrosis at the femoral head. The procedure-related complication rate was 8.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Cement-augmented DHS have a different failure mode than screw cutout in conventional DHS. Failures tended to be more related to delayed union, nonunion and resultant side plate construct failure.

Surgical treatment of syndesmotic diastasis: emphasis on effect of syndesmotic screw on ankle function.

Fifty-two consecutive adult patients with syndesmotic diastasis (SD) were treated with closed anatomical reduction and stable fixation by a trans-syndesmotic cancellous screw. A short leg splint was prescribed for a six week postoperative period. Treatment outcomes of syndesmotic screw removal at various time points were studied and compared (group 1 at six weeks, group 2 at three months and group 3 at an average of nine months). Recurrence of SD, incidence of syndesmotic screw breakage and ankle function were compared among the three groups. Recurrence of SD occurred in 15.8% (3/19) of patients in group 1, 15.0% (3/20) in group 2 and 0% (0/13) in group 3 (p = 0.054). Breakage of the syndesmotic screw occurred in three patients within three months (group 2, 15.0%) and in two patients beyond three months (group 3, each at six and 12 months, 15.4%). None of the group 1 patients experienced screw breakage (p = 0.034). Forty-three patients (82.7%) were classified as having satisfactory outcomes. Ankle function did not significantly differ among the three groups (p = 0.191), with or without syndesmotic screw breakage (p = 0.343) and with or without SD recurrence (p = 0.218). In conclusion, restriction of daily activity for at least three months is required to prevent recurrence. Removal of the syndesmotic screw at six weeks may prevent its breakage but increases the risk of recurrence. Over an average follow-up of 19 months, SD recurrence does not lead to deterioration in ankle function.

Dynamic hip screws for unstable intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients--encouraging results with a cement augmentation technique.

BACKGROUND: Despite the good and reliable results of the dynamic hip screw (DHS) for stable fracture patterns, complications of excessive sliding of the lag screw and inadequate bone anchorage occur frequently in elderly patients with unstable intertrochanteric fractures. Although polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement has been widely used as a secondary fixation to facilitate fixation stability, there has been no prospective study on the clinical significance of PMMA cement to prevent these two complications in unstable fracture patterns. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted. The DHS was applied either with or without PMMA cement augmentation in 108 elderly patients. The Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Orthopaedic Trauma Association fracture classification was 31-A2 in 91 patients and 31-A3 in 17 patients. The average age of the patients was 81.9 years (range, 75-96 years). The average follow-up period was 13.9 months (range, 12-30 months). PMMA cement was injected precisely into the proximal fragment with an average amount of 13.7 mL (range, 10-19 mL) in 55 patients. RESULTS: All but six patients (5.6%) had eventual bone union, and the average time to union was 18.1 week (range, 12-36 weeks). Screw sliding, femoral shortening, and varus collapse of the proximal fragment were all significantly reduced in the cemented group at the 1-year follow-up (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). The mean hip pain score was 1.9 (range, 1-4) in all 102 patients and was significantly lower in the cemented group (p = 0.008). One patient with a deep infection in the cemented group and five patients with lag screw penetration in the noncemented group received a total hip replacement. All 18 patients with malunion were in the noncemented group. Of these 18 patients, 14 patients (77.8%) had excessive sliding of the lag screw. The overall complication rate was significantly higher in the noncemented group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: With the meticulous augmentation technique demonstrated in this study, the PMMA cemented DHS proved to have better outcome than a conventional DHS for unstable intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients. Typical complications related to a conventional DHS device for the treatment of such fractures were successfully prevented.

Tension band wiring for olecranon fractures: relative stability of Kirschner wires in various configurations.

BACKGROUND: To assess clinical and functional outcomes as well as the relative stability of various configurations of tension band wiring approaches for treating olecranon fractures, a retrospective cohort study was conducted. METHODS: Seventy-seven consecutive adult patients with 78 olecranon fractures were treated using tension band wiring techniques in three different configurations. The configurations differed in the location of the ends of Kirschner wires with the following locations being used: in the proximal ulnar canal, through the anterior ulnar cortex, and in the distal ulnar canal. RESULTS: Based on average follow-up of 2.76 years (range, 1.1-5.5 years), all three techniques achieved high union rates and low complication rates. However, the Kirschner wires in the first technique allowed proximal pin migration with elbow irritation as compared with the second and the third techniques (p = 0.001, 0.03, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Placement of the ends of Kirschner wires in the proximal ulnar canal should be avoided whenever possible. Because placement of the ends of Kirschner wires through the anterior ulnar cortex may produce serious complications as reported in medical literature, placement of the ends of Kirschner wires in the distal ulnar canal may be the most effective approach.

Encouraging outcomes of staged, uncemented arthroplasty with short-term antibiotic therapy for treatment of recalcitrant septic arthritis of the native hip.

BACKGROUND: Septic arthritis in native hip joints is a rare but serious condition in adult patients. Prompt aggressive surgical and medical treatment is a challenge, and the outcomes after delayed management can be devastating. This article reports the findings of treatment of recalcitrant cases using a standardized protocol. METHODS: Fourteen consecutive patients (15 hips) were treated with two-stage total hip arthroplasty (THA) for septic arthritis of the hip joint over a 6-year period. All patients underwent resection arthroplasty and implantation of an antibiotic-loaded articulating spacer in the first stage, short-term systemic antibiotic therapy during the interim period, and subsequent THA without bone cement in the second stage. RESULTS: One patient required additional debridement and spacer reinsertion before THA. The mean interim period was 12.9 weeks (range, 6-31 weeks). After an average follow-up period of 42.5 months (range, 25-72 months) after THA, there was no evidence of recurrent infection or loosening of the prostheses in any patient. The average Merle D'Aubigne and Postel hip score improved from 9.3 (range, 5-15) to 13.5 (range, 12-16) between stages and to 16.7 (range, 15-18) at the latest follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Two-stage uncemented THA is a reliable treatment option for adult patients with recalcitrant septic hips. If an antibiotic-loaded interim spacer is used, routine, prolonged systemic antibiotic therapy may not be necessary.

Two-stage revision of infected hip arthroplasty using an antibiotic-loaded spacer: retrospective comparison between short-term and prolonged antibiotic therapy.

OBJECTIVES: The optimal duration of systemic antibiotic therapy in patients with prosthetic hip infection (PHI) undergoing staged exchange arthroplasty (SEA) has not been determined. We hypothesized that with an antibiotic-loaded cement spacer (ALCS), in the interim, short-term antibiotic therapy is as effective as a conventional prolonged treatment course. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed 99 patients with PHI who were managed with SEA using an ALCS from February 2002 to October 2005. A standard (4-6 week) antibiotic treatment course was administered in the first 46 patients and a short-term (1 week) therapy was adopted in the subsequent 53 patients. RESULTS: Eight patients (four in each group) had persistent infection following the first attempt of surgery and antibiotic treatment; in three of them the infection was cured by additional debridement prior to re-implantation. Forty-two (91%) patients in the long-term group and 47 (89%) patients in the short-term group were free of infection (P = 0.67) at an average follow-up of 43 months (range, 24-60 months). Five (11%) patients developed complications related to prolonged antibiotic therapy. The short-term treatment resulted in a shorter hospital stay (18 versus 43 days, P < 0.001) and a lower direct medical cost (US$13 732 versus US$21 756, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Short-term antibiotic therapy was not associated with a higher rate of treatment failure. Given the higher costs and incidence of complications, protracted courses of antibiotic administration may not necessarily be routine practice in patients with PHI undergoing SEA, provided that an ALCS is used.

Delayed onset of sevoflurane-induced juvenile malignant hyperthermia after second exposure.

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare condition consisting of increased temperature and rigidity with mild to fulminant manifestation during anesthesia. Sevoflurane was thought to be a less potent triggering agent of MH; however, in literature review, the onset of MH after exposure to sevoflurane may be associated with calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. We present here a case of rarely-seen delayed MH induced by an inhalation agent of low-inducing probability, sevoflurane, after the second exposure to which within a short period of time. The patient was a five years old boy who received sevoflurane anesthesia for repeat orthopedic surgery within two days. Gradual elevation in heart rate, abrupt hypercarbia and hyperthermia were observed 90 min after induction. Dantrolene was administrated immediately with effective therapeutic response. Eventually, the patient recovered without any complication as an aftermath. Gradually elevated heart rate during the second exposure to sevoflurane was the atypical sign in the episode of MH in this case. One plausible explanation for the development of delayed onset of MH is the latent effect of the volatile anesthetic on the skeletal muscles. Therefore, it is worth noting for the anesthesiologists to recognize the possibility of an atypical MH and be alert for the possible occurrence of MH during routine anesthetic practice.

Biologic plating versus intramedullary nailing for comminuted subtrochanteric fractures in young adults: a prospective, randomized study of 66 cases.

BACKGROUND: Published reports about treatment of comminuted subtrochanteric fractures in young patients are few. This study compared the effectiveness of biologic plating and intramedullary nailing in the treatment of such fractures. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, and nonblinded study was conducted. Closed reduction and fracture osteosynthesis were performed with either a dynamic condylar screw (DCS) or a Russell-Taylor reconstruction nail (RTRN) in all 66 patients. The average age of the patients was 36.1 years. The average follow-up period was 28.1 months. RESULTS: All but two patients had uneventful bone union and the average time to union was 15.1 weeks. One implant failure in the RTRN group and one delayed union in the DCS group required additional surgery to achieve bone union. Shorter fluoroscopic time, reduced blood loss, and fewer patients requiring blood transfusion were found in the DCS group, though the DCS group had a higher hip pain score 2 years postoperatively. Otherwise, the surgical results and functional outcomes were comparable between groups. CONCLUSIONS: With the enhanced fixation properties demonstrated in the present study, the DCS proved to be a feasible fixation device for comminuted subtrochanteric fractures in young patients. Our results indicated that intramedullary nailing by a RTRN revealed no advantages over biologic plating by a DCS for treatment of such fractures.

Closed reduction and internal fixation for acute midshaft clavicular fractures using cannulated screws.

BACKGROUND: Although most acute midshaft clavicular fractures can be successfully treated nonsurgically, surgery is more appropriate for cases with severe displaced fractures, skin tenting, initial shortening of fracture ends, and associated with multiple injuries. However, methods of surgical treatment for such fractures remain controversial. This study discusses a closed reduction and internal fixation technique for midshaft clavicular fracture. METHODS: Between 2000 through 2003, 34 acute midshaft clavicular fractures were operatively treated with cannulated screws using closed reduction technique by one surgeon. The follow-up and clinical evaluation was performed by another surgeon. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were followed for an average of 27.4 months (range, 24-37 months). Thirty (96.8%) fractures healed within 12 weeks, and one fracture healed at 18 weeks. No major surgical complications occurred, although superficial wound infection occurred in one patient. No implants needed to be removed. The final union rate was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Closed reduction and internal fixation with cannulated screw is an alternative choice for treating acute midshaft clavicular fracture in selected cases where surgery is indicated and should be done cautiously.

Ipsilateral femoral neck and shaft fractures treated with Russell-Taylor reconstruction intramedullary nails.

BACKGROUND: Ipsilateral femoral neck and shaft fractures are rare injuries and the treatment is complicated and versatile. No single device has been considered absolutely superior to others. METHODS: Fifteen combined fractures in 15 patients were treated with Russell-Taylor reconstruction intramedullary nails (recon nails). Twelve surgeries were performed within 24 hours of trauma and the other 3 were delayed for 4-7 days due to associated life-threatening injuries. Postoperatively, protected weight bearing was permitted as early as possible. RESULTS: The median operating time was 250 minutes (range 125-430 min) and median blood loss was 300 ml (range 100-600 ml). Thirteen patients were followed-up for a median of 22 months (range 13-45 months). The union rates for neck and shaft fractures were 84.6% and 69.2% respectively. The median union times were 3.0 months for neck fractures and 8.5 months for shaft fractures. CONCLUSIONS: Recon nails are alternative acceptable devices to treat combined fractures. However, the stability of neck fixation may be insufficient and restriction of vigorous activity is suggested to avoid fixation failure.

Periprosthetic fractures of the greater trochanter through osteolytic cysts with uncemented MicroStructured Omnifit prosthesis: retrospective analyses pf 23 fractures in 887 hips after 5-14 years.

BACKGROUND: Periprosthetic fractures of the greater trochanter through osteolytic cysts are rare. The proper treatment and its influence on the prosthetic survival remains unknown. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 887 hips with uncemented MicroStructured Omnifit total hip prostheses at a mean follow-up time of 11 (5-14) years. We found 23 (2.6%) fractures of the greater trochanter through a cystic lesion, occurring 4-11 years postoperatively. RESULTS: Nonoperative treatment healed 15 of the 17 fractures that were minimally displaced. At a mean follow-up of 3 (2-5) years after the fracture, 16 had had revision of the components because of excessive wear, loosening, or nonunion. INTERPRETATION: We conclude that a periprosthetic fracture of the greater trochanter through an osteolytic lesion is usually stable and heals without treatment. However, it is associated with poor prosthetic survival because of excessive polyethylene wear.

Vertebroplasty for the treatment of osteoporotic compression spinal fracture: comparison of remedial action at different stages of injury.

BACKGROUND: Outstanding results have been achieved using vertebroplasty for the treatment of osteoporotic compression spinal fractures, and a number of studies have reported the results from the application of this procedure. This study compared the results of vertebroplasty used at the different stages of injury. METHODS: A retrospective study reviewing the period between January 2001 and July 2001 investigated 68 patients who underwent single-level vertebroplasty: 22 patients within 2 weeks of the injury, 22 patients 2 weeks to 2 months after the injury, and 24 patients more than 2 months after the injury. Clinical evaluations compared the results of treatment at different injury stages during a mean follow-up period of 13 months. RESULTS: Although all the patients undergoing vertebroplasty in the acute and subacute stages reported satisfaction within 1 week of the operation, only 72.7% of the acute-stage group reported satisfaction with 24 hours of surgery. Moreover, evidence of cement leakage after vertebroplasty was detected for 27.3% of the acute-stage patients. This percentage significantly higher than for the patients in the subacute and chronic stages. Radiographic examination showed that new, adjacent compression fracture had occurred for 10.3% of the patients, with anterior interbody restabilization occurring for 11.8%. CONCLUSIONS: The results for vertebroplasty treatment of osteoporotic compression fractures appear to be injury stage dependent, with patients in the acute-injury stage needing longer recovery times, and with cement leakage quite common. These findings lead to the conclusion that the subacute stage is optimal for vertebroplasty. Furthermore, it is suggested that the use of spinal orthoses and postsurgical supplementation for the bone matrix reduces the risk of new, adjacent compression fractures and increases anterior interbody restabilization. Importantly, the findings suggest that a presurgical magnetic resonance imaging evaluation is an absolute necessity.

Treatment of early cut-out of a lag screw using a trochanter supporting plate: 11 consecutive patients with unstable intertrochanteric fractures.

INTRODUCTION: Superior cut-out of a lag screw remains a serious complication in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures. It is related to the stability of fracture reduction. We describe the application of a trochanter supporting plate (TSP) to restore the fracture stability after early cut-out of a lag screw in unstable intertrochanteric fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 11 consecutive patients with superior cut-out of the lag screw of a dynamic hip screw (DHS) or a gamma nail in an unstable intertrochanteric fracture occurring within 6 months after surgery were included in the present study. They underwent repeat surgery for placement of a DHS and a laterally mounted TSP of our design. All patients were monitored for at least 6 months (median 15 months; range 6-28 months). RESULTS: There was no repeated cut-out of a lag screw, and 10 patients (91%) achieved bony union within 5 months. At the last follow-up, all patients could walk with or without aids. CONCLUSION: It reveals that a TSP, as an adjuvant to a lag screw placed inferiorly, is an easy and safe solution for the treatment of early cut-out of a lag screw in unstable intertrochanteric fractures.

A modified periacetabular osteotomy with use of the transtrochanteric exposure.

BACKGROUND: Periacetabular osteotomies are technically demanding surgical procedures. We developed a modified technique that uses a transtrochanteric approach. Our goal was to facilitate surgical exposure without compromising the results of surgery. The purpose of the present study was to review the early results in our initial group of patients who had this procedure. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the results of a modified periacetabular osteotomy in thirty-eight consecutive patients (forty-six hips) at an average duration of follow-up of 4.2 years. The average age of the patients was thirty-one years (range, eighteen to fifty-eight years) at the time of surgery. We evaluated the results with use of serial radiographs and the Merle d'Aubigné and Postel hip-scoring system. RESULTS: All osteotomies healed. Preoperatively, the average lateral center-edge angle was 3 degrees (range, -15 degrees to 12 degrees ), the anterior center-edge angle was 0 degrees (range, -20 degrees to 5 degrees ), the acetabular angle of Sharp was 57 degrees (range, 50 degrees to 68 degrees ), and the femoral head coverage was 53% (range, 40% to 66%). Postoperatively, the average lateral center-edge angle was 35 degrees (range, 23 degrees to 45 degrees ), the anterior center-edge angle was 32 degrees (range, 20 degrees to 55 degrees ), the acetabular angle of Sharp was 40 degrees (range, 37 degrees to 45 degrees ), and the femoral head coverage was 92% (range, 85% to 100%). The average amount of medialization of the femoral head was 6 mm. At the latest follow-up examination, improvement in the grade of osteoarthritis was noted in eight hips, while progression of osteoarthritis was seen in five hips. Functionally, the average Merle d'Aubigné and Postel hip score improved from 13.2 points preoperatively to 17.0 points postoperatively. No patient had a neurovascular complication. CONCLUSION: Our early experience with a modified periacetabular osteotomy showed encouraging results in terms of the technical ease of the technique and the outcome in our patients.

Primary total hip arthroplasty without the use of bone cement: a 10-year follow-up of 157 hips.

BACKGROUND: The cementless fixation technique in total hip arthroplasty (THA) was developed to solve clinical problems such as aseptic loosening and osteolysis which were thought to be associated with the use of bone cement. This retrospective study reports our mid-term results with cementless THA. METHODS: A series of 173 consecutive, unselected cementless THA procedures using the Omnifit prosthesis was performed by a single surgeon. Sixteen hips were excluded from the study because of insufficient follow-up evaluation. One hundred and fifty-seven THAs with an average follow-up period of 10.2 (range, 5-12) years were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The overall revision rate was 7.0%. Ninety-five percent of unrevised hips achieved a Merle D'Aubigne hip score of 16 points or above. Radiographically, bone ingrowth occurred in all unrevised cups, and in 95% of unrevised stems. Osteolytic lesions, seen on 28.1% of femora and 8.9% of pelvises, appeared at an average of 3.8 years postoperatively. Femoral osteolytic lesions were confined to the proximal Gruen zones 1 and 7. The mean annual polyethylene wear rate was 0.15 mm. Approximately 1/3 of the hips were noted to have excessive wear. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that cementless Omnifit THA provides stable fixation for as long as 12 years after implantation. Of significant concern is the high incidence of excessive polyethylene wear and associated osteolysis. Our experience also indicates that a femoral stem with a circumferential porous coating in the proximal region can protect the femur from distal osteolysis.

Bridge-plating osteosynthesis of 20 comminuted subtrochanteric fractures with dynamic hip screw.

BACKGROUND: A prospective clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the conjunctive use of an extramedullary device and the bridge-plating technique in the treatment of comminuted subtrochanteric fractures with major extension into the femoral shaft. METHODS: A Winquist criteria was used to classify 3 fracture patterns. The type 3 fractures were excluded from this study because of great extent of the fracture zone for which the bridge-plating technique is not indicated. There were 14 men and 6 women, with a mean age of 49 (range, 17-76) years. A dynamic hip screw (DHS) with a long side plate was chosen as the fixation device because of the small learning curve. RESULTS: The fractures united at a mean of 7.6 (range, 3-15) months postoperatively. Mobility was scored at 9 points in 18 patients and 6 points in 2 patients (Mobility score of Parker & Palmer). Pain was absent in 14, mild in 3, and moderate in 3 patients. Two limbs were shortened by 1 and 1.5 cm, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that DHS fixation using the bridge-plating technique leads to union of all comminuted Winquist types 1 and 2 fractures without major complications, and it is a valuable alternative to new intramedullary devices. This procedure offers the significant advantage of being less technically demanding.