The Effects of Three Different Low-molecular-weight Heparins on Blood Loss After Intramedullary Nailing of Trochanteric Fractures.

Background: The three most commonly used low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH) in Bosnia and Herzegovina for thromboprophylaxis in patients with hip fracture are reviparin, dalteparin and enoxaparin. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of reviparin, dalteparin and enoxaparin on intraoperative blood loss in patients with trochanteric fracture treated with intramedullary nailing. Methods: This retrospective multicenter study included 100 patients with trochanteric fracture who were divided into three groups according to the low-molecular-weight heparin administered. In all cases, a short third generation Gamma-nail was used for osteosynthesis. Complete blood count and number of red blood cell transfusions (RBC) were evaluated. Results: The mean value of postoperative hemoglobin level was lower in the enoxaparin group compared to the reviparin group, with significant difference (p=0.001; 95% CI: 4.1-18.87). Patients in the dalteparin group received more RBC transfusions compared to the reviparin and enoxaparin group (p=0.048). Conclusion: The use of enoxaparin and dalteparin in hip fracture patients can result in lower postoperative haemoglobin levels and more RBC transfusions compared to reviparin.

The Effect of Prehabilitation on Postoperative Outcome in Patients Following Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease in the world. At the end stage of the disease, usually when patients cannot handle the pain anymore, the knee replacement surgery is the most common and effective treatment to reduce pain and improve functionality. The effect of preoperative exercise (prehabilitation) for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is still controversial. AIM: To investigate the effect of prehabilitation on postoperative outcome and compare the results of the intervention with the control group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective study included 20 patients with a diagnosis of gonarthrosis, aged 48-70, who were randomly allocated to either the intervention group or control. Ten patients (intervention group) underwent a 6-week home-based exercise program before the TKA surgery. All patients were assessed by Knee Score (KS), Function Score (FS), and Body Mass Index (BMI) according to the following schedule: 6 weeks before surgery (for intervention group it meant before the prehabilitation program), just prior to surgery (for intervention group it meant after the prehabilitation program), after the surgery, at 3rd month, 6th month, and 12th month postoperatively. They were all operated by the same surgeon, for the primary total knee replacement (Zimmer NexGen Complete Knee Solution) at the Clinic for Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Clinical Centre University of Sarajevo, from October 2016 to June 2017. RESULTS: There is statistically significant difference for Knee and Function Score between the intervention and control group in testing time: just before surgery-meaning that KS and FS increased after the prehabilitation program. Knee Score was significantly different between the two observed groups postoperatively, 3 months postoperatively and 6 months postoperatively, while the Function Score was not significantly different in that period. Prehabilitation program provides better preoperative KS and FS, and better KS up to 6 months postoperatively. However, 12 months postoperatively there was no significant difference between the intervention and control group for the Knee and Function Score. CONCLUSION: Prehabilitation brings significant difference regarding the Knee Score in favor of the intervention group preoperatively and up to 6 months postoperatively.

Static or dynamic intramedullary nailing of femur and tibia.

INTRODUCTION: The basic principle of non-surgical fracture treatment is to restore the original anatomical position of fractured fragments by different techniques, without direct access to the bone and without further traumatizing of tissues. Intramedullary nailing is synthesis and consolidation of fracture fragments with the main goal to gain strength and permanent placement of the implants. Two techniques of intramedullary osteosynthesis are used: with dynamic or with static intramedullary nail. Dynamization include conversion of static nail by removing screws from the longest fragment. AIM: The aim of this study is to determine whether there is a difference in the speed and quality of healing of the type A and B fractures of the femur and tibia treated by static or dynamic intramedullary nails and to compare the results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted at the Clinic for Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Clinical Center University Sarajevo from January 2004 to June 2009. The study was retrospective-prospective, manipulative, controlled and it was conducted on a total of 129 patients with closed fractures of the diaphysis of the femur and tibia type A and type B, with different segments of bone, regardless of sex and age structure, with the exception of children under 14 years of age. RESULTS: Precisely there were 47 patients with femoral fractures and 82 patients with tibial fractures. The average number of weeks of healing femoral and tibial fractures was slightly in advantage of static intramedullary osteosynthesis, it was 17.08 weeks (SD=3.382). The average number of weeks of healing in 23 patients with fractures of the femur, treated by dynamic intramedullary osteosynthesis was 17.83 (SD=2.978). We can conclude that static intramedullary nailing osteosynthesis unable movements between fragments which directly stimulates bone formation and formation of minimal callus. CONCLUSION: Static intramedullary osteosynthesis resolve the problem of stabilizing the fracture, limb shortening and rotation of fragments.