Two compression rods to treat unstable lesions of the pelvic ring.

The authors report 7 cases involving the surgical treatment of unstable pelvic ring fractures (Malgaigne type) using two compression bars, as described by Tile. The method was used only in cases where x-ray examination and CT scan revealed that the posterior branch of the fracture was located at the very medial aspect of the sacrum (fracture through the sacral foramina or even medial to the sacral foramina), and therefore could not be stabilized by using other devices.

Peripheral nerve damage during limb lengthening. Neurophysiology in five cases of bilateral tibial lengthening.

Limb lengthening is used to correct leg length discrepancy and to increase stature. The reported frequency of peripheral nerve complications varies from 5% to 30%, but is probably underestimated. Damage may be direct or be caused by overstretching of the nerves. We have used electrophysiological tests to evaluate five patients during bilateral tibial lengthening by the Ilizarov method. Results after 24 to 107 days of lengthening showed electromyographic evidence of partial muscle denervation in all 10 limbs, with reduced motor conduction velocities in two tibial nerves and three common peroneal nerves. The sensory conduction velocity in the sural nerve was always unchanged. A clear relationship was shown between the amount of tibial lengthening and the degree of electrophysiological abnormality. Our results suggest that subclinical nerve damage is a very frequent complication of tibial lengthening.

[The average thickness of trabecular osteons in the iliac crest in normal subjects]. / Lo spessore medio dell'osteone trabecolare nella cresta iliaca in soggetti normali.

The mean wall thickness (MWT), measured by the Kragstrup technique, and the trabecular bone volume (TBV), have been measured in 50 transiliac undecalcified bone biopsies performed in 50 subjects who died suddenly (traffic accident, carbon monoxide, poisoning). Diseases affecting the skeleton were excluded in the autopsies. Our values for MWT were similar to those found in previously published studies except those of Kragstrup's group, in which values are higher. As our measuring technique was that of Kragstrup, these results could be explained either by a difference in staining methods (Solocromo cyanine R and Goldner method respectively) or by the differences in populations considered (French and Danish respectively). Our study confirmed a significant decrease in MWT and TBV with age and a positive correlation between MWT, TBV and age.

[Treatment of diaphyseal pseudoarthrosis with transosseous osteosynthesis by the Ilizarov method. Radiographic signs of reparative osteogenesis]. / Il trattamento delle pseudoartrosi diafisarie con osteosintesi transossea di Ilizarov. Segni radiografici di osteogenesi riparativa.

The main phases of ossification are shown-based on the results achieved by re-examining the X-ray pictures of 14 patients affected by tubular bones pseudoarthrosis treated with Ilizarov's closed compression-distraction osteosynthesis. The roentgen signs in particular are examined which are considered as expressive of positive evolution of the pseudoarthrosis. An outline of X-ray evolution of nonunions is also proposed, referring to the peculiar biological characters of ossification under compression-distraction stimulation.