How does trauma secondary to unexpected extreme weather affect orthopaedic surgery departments? An epidemiological study on the Filomena snowstorm.

INTRODUCTION: Trauma secondary to extreme weather events may heavily impact the normal activity of orthopaedic surgery departments, especially in places not prepared to deal with them. The Filomena snowstorm, which happened in January 2021, has been one of the greatest snowstorms ever in Spain. During it, the constant influx of trauma patients made the Orthopaedic Emergencies Department (OED) to collapse. The primary objective of this study was to describe the orthopaedic injuries and changes in fracture's epidemiology observed during this exceptional period. Secondary objectives were to analyse the collected variables in order to minimize the future impact of these unexpected extreme weather events. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study between patients that came to the OED during the snowstorm (Filomena group) and those who came on the same period of the previous year (Control group). The following data were collected: age, sex, injury location, injury mechanism, diagnosis, AO/OTA fracture classification, treatment type (conservative vs surgical) and delay to surgical treatment. RESULTS: A total of 1237 patients were included in total, 655 patients from the Filomena group and 582 from the Control group. One in two patients in the Filomena group sustained a fracture (50.7% vs 23.2%). The most frequent diagnosis on the Filomena group was distal radius fracture (16.2%), five times more frequent than in the Control group (3.4%). A significant increment was also observed in the incidence of ankle (21.7%) and proximal humerus (33%) fractures. In Filomena, surgically treated fractures increased by 168%, being more severe, as C-type fractures were more prevalent (23% vs 13%). Mean delay to surgery was 6.78 days during the snowstorm. CONCLUSION: Unexpected snowstorms entail an exponential rise in orthopaedic care demand and OED pressures. A significant increment in orthopaedic trauma surgery, up to 168% more, particularly distal radius, proximal humerus and ankle fractures it is to be expected, which will imply elective surgery cancellation, damaging patients and increasing costs.

Partial Two-Stage Exchange for Infected Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Treatment to Take into Account.

INTRODUCTION: Two-stage revision is the gold standard for chronic periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). The removal of well-fixed implants, especially the femoral component, can be extremely difficult and additional osteotomies may be needed, which is time-consuming and results in bone stock loss. When the femoral stem is osseointegrated, there is no clear indication for the use of partial two-stage revision. The primary objective was to assess infection eradication after surgery. METHODS: Retrospective study of specific case series. A total of eight patients with a chronic uncemented PJI, in the setting of complex revision surgeries, were treated with partial two-stage revision, which included selective retention of the well-fixed femoral component and complete acetabular removal. Stem retention was carried out regardless of the bacteria or associated comorbidities. RESULTS: All patients were re-revision cases with at least two previous surgeries (range, 2-4). Complex revisions were performed in five cases (non-articulated spacer) and simple revisions in three cases (articulated spacer). The minimum follow-up time was 24 months (range, 24-132 months). The infection eradication rate at final follow-up was 100%. CONCLUSION: Partial two-stage reconstruction is a promising technique for the treatment of chronic PJI in patients with a well-fixed stem and complex re-revision acetabular procedures. Further prospective studies and prolonged follow-ups are required to confirm our results.

Factors associated with mortality in older patients sustaining pelvic or acetabular fractures.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate potential factors, including delay to surgical stabilisation, affecting mortality in older patients sustaining pelvic or acetabular (PA) fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of the Trauma Audit and Research Network (TARN) database was performed to identify older patients (aged 65 and over) sustaining PA fractures treated surgically in a UK Major Trauma Centre (MTC) between 2015 and 2019. Chi-squared and Fisher tests were used to compare 1-year mortality rates following operative intervention between patients treated within 72 h and after 72 h. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to visualise survival probability; significant predictors of survival were found using Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: Of 564 older patients with PA fractures, 70 met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 76.1 years. The overall 1-year mortality rate was 20%. When patients were grouped by time to surgery (fracture fixation within or greater than 72 h), there was no statistically significant difference in 1-year mortality. Patients whose surgery was delayed more than 72 h were more likely to have longer hospital stays (p = 0.002) or to have suffered from polytrauma (p = 0.025). Age, Charlson Co-morbidities Index (CCI) and pre-op mobility status were associated with statistically significant differences in overall mortality. The same factors were associated with a significantly increased hazard of death in the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. Patient gender, mechanism of injury, Injury Severity Score (ISS) > 15 and head injury were not significant predictors of mortality. CONCLUSION: Surgical intervention within 72 h of injury did not result in decreased mortality in older patients with PA fractures. The 1-year mortality rate between older PA fractures and hip fractures was comparable. Consideration should be given to a combined multidisciplinary approach between orthogeriatric and expert PA surgeons for these patients.

Enhancing Preoperative Planning in Orthopedic Trauma Surgery Using a Presentation Software.

Preoperative planning (PP) is critical to ensure a successful outcome in orthopaedic trauma surgery. Since it was first described thirty years ago, no modifications have been made to the original preoperative planning (OPP) technique, which was written by hand using pen and paper. We believe that the use of presentation software (such as Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA, US) can ease, improve and update the OPP and complement three-dimensional PP. The objective of the present paper is to describe our method for PP using a presentation software (PS).

Enhancing Preoperative Planning in Orthopedic Trauma Surgery Using a Presentation Software / Aprimoramento do planejamento préoperatório na cirurgia de trauma ortopédico usando um software de apresentação

Abstract Preoperative planning (PP) is critical to ensure a successful outcome in orthopaedic trauma surgery. Since it was first described thirty years ago, no modifications have been made to the original preoperative planning (OPP) technique, which was written by hand using pen and paper. We believe that the use of presentation software (such as Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA, US) can ease, improve and update the OPP and complement three-dimensional PP. The objective of the present paper is to describe our method for PP using a presentation software (PS).

Resumo O planejamento pré-operatório (PP) é fundamental para garantir um resultado bemsucedido na cirurgia de trauma ortopédico. Desde que foi descrita pela primeira vez há trinta anos, não foram feitas modificações na técnica de planejamento pré-operatório original (PPO), que foi escrita à mão usando caneta e papel. Acreditamos que o uso de um software de apresentação (como o Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA, EUA) pode facilitar, melhorar e atualizar o PPO e complementar o PP tridimensional. O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar nosso método de PP por meio de software de apresentação (SA).

Do Poller screws effect union in tibial shaft fractures treated with intramedullary nailing?

INTRODUCTION: Tibial shaft fractures are a commonly encountered challenge presented to orthopaedic trauma surgeons. Intramedullary nailing (IMN) is often the treatment of choice and whilst effective, complications of delayed and/or non-union can cause significant morbidity and necessitate additional operative procedures. The use of Poller screws during IMN are a recognised way of aiding fracture reduction, however the clinical benefits of this are debated. This study evaluated the outcome of tibial shaft fractures treated with IMN with or without the addition of Poller screws. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of all patients undergoing IMN following tibial shaft fractures over a 5-year period. 154 operated tibial shaft fractures were identified, with patients divided into 3 groups - Group 1: IM nailing alone, Group 2: IMN + 1 conventional Poller screw, or Group 3: IMN + 2 Poller screws placed Epicentrically across the fracture site. Data collected included demographics, length of stay, fracture type, position and AO classification grade, operative time, and operating surgeons' grade. Primary outcome measure was the incidence of delayed and/or non-union. Secondary outcomes were differences in rates of infection and additional orthopaedic procedures between the 3 groups. RESULTS: Overall 139/154 fractures (90.3%) achieved a timely union. There was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.05) in fracture union between the 3 groups, with 75/88 fractures healing in group 1 (IMN alone) compared to 44/46 in Group 2 (IMN + 1 Poller screw) and 20/20 in group 3 (IMN + 2 Poller screws). There was no statistical difference in the incidence of superficial infection, (p = 0.95) additional procedures (p = 0.23) or deep infection (p = 0.65) between the 3 groups. CONCLUSION: The addition of Poller screws appear to be a safe and effective adjunct in the treatment of tibial shaft fractures via IMN. Further prospective randomised trials are needed to fully elucidate both the role and potential benefits of Poller screw augmentation in acute lower limb fracture management.

Ankle arthrodesis using the Taylor Spatial Frame for the treatment of infection, extruded talus and complex pilon fractures.

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of complex pilon fractures and talus fracture-dislocations present several challenges, like avoiding infection, achieving union, management of bone loss and function preservation. METHODS: Retrospective cohort review of fourteen patients who underwent ankle arthrodesis (AA) using the Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF) after pilon and talus fracture-dislocations. Ten tibiocalcaneal (TC) and four tibiotalar (TT) fusions were performed. Eleven of these cases were Gustilo III open fractures. Seven cases involved an open extruded talus. Four cases had established infections. There was a mean of 2.7 (range 0 - 8) operations prior to AA using TSF. The primary objective was to determine infection and union rates. Patient-reported outcomes (Short Form 36, SF-36) and functional outcomes (Ankle Osteoarthritis Score, AOS) were the secondary measures. RESULTS: Eradication and prevention of deep infection was achieved in all cases. Radiological union was achieved at a mean of 9 months (range 5 - 17). Solid AA was achieved in 12 of 14 cases using the TSF. Two TC fusions required a hindfoot fusion nail to achieve union. Eleven cases had concurrent bone transport, mean of 63 mm (range 33 - 180). Mean time of TSF treatment was 11.1 months (range 6 - 16). One case required delayed amputation. Eight patients were able to fully weight bear unaided after the treatment. Mean SF-36 was 65 (range 35 -100). Mean AOS was 36.5 (range 6.6 - 77.5) with 69.3% of scores graded good to excellent. Mean total number of operations was 5.9 (range 2 - 10). Minimum follow up time was 12 months (range 12 - 56). CONCLUSION: AA using TSF can be considered for complex pilon fractures and extruded talus. It has shown to be effective in achieving a solid fusion and infection eradication. While using the TSF in isolation, non-union must be suspected in TC fusions, absence of radiological signs of healing, massive bone loss, and possibly not using bone graft. Patients must be aware that while treatment of these injuries will be prolonged and carries the risk of many potential complications, it provides a good alternative to amputation.

Tumor glómico maligno: a propósito de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Malignant glomus tumor: a case report and review of the literatura

Los tumores glómicos malignos son neoplasias poco frecuentes del cuerpo glómico mioarterial. Presentamos un caso de tumor glómico maligno en mano derecha en mujer de 72 años. La resonancia magnética identificó tumoración de partes blandas de predominio subcutáneo, en el segundo dedo de la mano, con áreas más profundas que contactaban con los tendones flexores del dedo, el músculo primer interóseo dorsal y los huesos subyacentes. El estudio de extensión no evidenció enfermedad macroscópica maligna. Histológicamente el tumor tenía arquitectura plexiforme. Las células tumorales estaban en íntima relación con vasos de pequeño calibre, en ocasiones con tinción PAS positiva, con morfología fusiforme y focalmente epitelioide, atipia moderada y tasa mitótica de 4 mitosis en 10 campos de gran aumento, sin identificarse mitosis atípicas ni necrosis tumoral. Con técnicas de inmunohistoquímica se observó positividad difusa para actina de músculo liso y vimentina, con marcaje célula a célula de colágeno tipo IV y negatividad para CD34, caldesmon, desmina, queratinas y S100. Realizamos escisión quirúrgica amplia con márgenes negativos y se administró radioterapia adyuvante sobre la mano, sin evidencia de recidiva tumoral tras 9 meses de seguimiento. Presentamos también una revisión de la literatura sobre tumores glómicos malignos en miembro superior, así como el diagnóstico diferencial de este tipo de lesiones cuando se localizan en la piel y el tejido celular subcutáneo (AU)

Malignant glomus tumors are rare malignancies of the mioarterial glomus body. We report a case of a malignant glomus tumor located in the right hand of a 72 years old patient. Magnetic resonance imaging identified a soft tissue tumor of the second finger, with deeper areas in contact with the flexor tendons, the first dorsal interosseous muscle and underlying bones. The extension study showed no macroscopic malignant disease. Histologically the tumor had a plexiform architecture. Tumor cells were in close relationship with small vessels, sometimes with positive PAS staining, had a fusiform and focally epithelioid morphology with moderate atypia and a mitotic rate of 4 mitosis in 10 high magnification fields, without a typical mitosis and tumor necrosis. Diffuse positivity staining for vimentin and actins mooth muscle was observed immunohistochemically, with cell-to-cell labelty for IV collagen and negative for CD34, caldesmon, desmin, keratins and S100. Wide excision with negative margins was performed and adjuvant radiotherapy was administered on hand, with no evidence of tumor recurrence after 9 months follow up. Additionally, a review of the literature of malignant glomus tumors located in the upper limb, and the differential diagnosis of this type of tumors located in the skin and subcutaneous tissue were presented (AU)

Acute Pectoralis Major Rupture Captured on Video.

Pectoralis major (PM) ruptures are uncommon injuries, although they are becoming more frequent. We report a case of a PM rupture in a young male who presented with axillar pain and absence of the anterior axillary fold after he perceived a snap while lifting 200 kg in the bench press. Diagnosis of PM rupture was suspected clinically and confirmed with imaging studies. The patient was treated surgically, reinserting the tendon to the humerus with suture anchors. One-year follow-up showed excellent results. The patient was recording his training on video, so we can observe in detail the most common mechanism of injury of PM rupture.