Fragility fractures of the pelvis: First 48 cases of surgical treatment at a level 1 trauma center in France.

INTRODUCTION: Longer life expectancy is accompanied by a higher incidence of fragility fractures of the pelvis (FFP), which has repercussions on mortality and nursing home admissions. Given the paucity of data at French healthcare facilities, we carried out a retrospective study to (1) evaluate how surgical treatment of FFP with posterior displacement (type III and IV according to Rommens and Hofmann) affects a patient's pain, functional status and ability to stay at home and (2) evaluate the postoperative complications and mortality rate. HYPOTHESIS: Surgery for posteriorly displaced FFP will relieve pain and preserve the patient's independence. METHODS: All the patients over 65 years of age who were operated on for a posterior FFP between January 2015 and August 2020 were included in this prospective, single-center study. The demographics, fracture type, details of the surgical treatment, complications and mortality were analyzed. Pain (visual analog scale, VAS), functional status (Activity of Daily Living [ADL] and Instrumental Activity of Daily Living [IADL]), mobility (Parker score) and rates of nursing home admissions were compared before the fracture, after surgery and at a mean follow-up of 28 months (minimum follow-up of 1 year). RESULTS: Forty-eight patients with a mean age of 75 years were included. Twenty-four of these patients (50%) had at least two comorbidities. The FFPs were either type IV (31/48; 65%) or type III (17/48; 35%). The mean VAS for pain was significantly lower on the first day postoperative (3.5 versus 4.8; p=0.02). This significant reduction continued upon discharge from the hospital (1.95; p=0.003) and persisted at the mean follow-up of 28 months (2.2; p=0.64). The complication rate was 15% (7/48) and the mortality rate at the final review was 15% (7/48). Among the surviving patients, 81% (29/36) returned to living at home. The ADL (5.1 versus 5.8; p=0.09), IADL (5.9 versus 6.9; p=0.15) and Parker score (6.8 versus 8.2; p=0.08) at the final review were not significantly different from the values before the fracture. CONCLUSION: This is the first French study of patients operated on for an FPP. Fixation of posteriorly displaced fractures allows surviving patients to retain their mobility. Pain relief is achieved quickly and maintained during the follow-up period. Thus, our initial hypothesis is affirmed. The complication rate is not insignificant; given the complexity of this surgery, percutaneous treatment is preferable. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV; retrospective study.

Comparison of proximal row carpectomy with RCPI® versus proximal row carpectomy with Eaton's capsular interposition in the management of advanced wrist osteoarthritis.

INTRODUCTION: Proximal row carpectomy (PRC) is one of the recommended techniques for managing wrist osteoarthritis, it implies the integrity of the lunate fossa of the radius and the proximal pole of the capitate. If PRC is not possible, it is suggested to consider combining it with a capsule interposition (such as Eaton's flap) or opting for intra- or radiocarpal arthrodesis. Another alternative is to combine capitate resurfacing with a pyrocarbon implant (RCPi®). The aims of this study was to assessed the results between proximal PRC+Eaton and those associated PRC+RCPi® for advanced wrist osteoarthritis. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that there would be no differences in clinical or functional outcome between proximal row carpectomy associated with RCPI® and those associated with Eaton capsular flap. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It is a monocentric, retrospective, multi-operator study involving 83 wrists with osteoarthritis, included between January 2000 and December 2020 with a minimum follow-up period of 12 months. Thirty-nine patients underwent PRC+Eaton and 44 patients underwent RCPI® resurfacing. Data such as pain, flexion, extension and strength as well as functional scores (PRWE, Mayo and quick DASH) were collected from the patient files at the last check-up. RESULTS: Results were comparable between the two groups in terms pain (VAS), mobility (flexion and extension), strength (GRASP) and functional scores (PRWE, Mayo and quick DASH). Carpal height was better preserved in the PRC+RCPI® group, with a Youm and McMurtry index evaluated at 0.3 in the PRC+Eaton group compared to 0.4 in the PRC+RCPI® group (p-value<0.001). Radiocarpal arthrodesis was required in 16% of the PRC+Eaton group and 6.8% of the PRC+RCPI® group, with a statistically significant difference (p-value=0.023). DISCUSSION: This study reports clinical and functional results that suggest RCPI® is an interesting alternative and can be associated with proximal row carpectomy in advanced wrist osteoarthritis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV; retrospective study.

Complications and outcomes in 69 consecutive patients with floating hip.

BACKGROUND: Floating hip is a rare and potentially serious injury. The objective of this study was to evaluate our management strategy for patients with floating hip. HYPOTHESIS: A standardized strategy with specialised multidisciplinary management is associated with a low mortality rate. METHODS: Consecutive patients who had surgery to treat floating hip between January 2010 and December 2019 were included in this single-centre retrospective study. Epidemiological, clinical, and radiological data were collected and analysed. Patients were managed according to a standardised strategy adapted to the haemodynamic status and type of floating hip (type A, femoral and pelvic ring fractures; type B, femoral and acetabular fractures; and type C, femoral, acetabular, and pelvic ring fractures). The clinical outcome at last follow-up was determined by a telephone interview, based on the Majeed and Oxford scores, sports resumption, and work resumption. To assess the radiological outcomes, we applied Matta's criteria for the acetabulum and Tornetta's criteria for the pelvic ring. RESULTS: We included 69 patients with a mean age of 38.5 years. Among them, 39 (57%) had haemodynamic instability requiring embolisation (n=15, 22%) or multiple blood transfusions (n=24, 35%). Type A injuries predominated (n=57, 83%). The need for multiple blood transfusions was significantly associated with type C floating hip, underlining the risk of heavy bleeding with this injury. Two (3%) patients died. When management was complete, the reduction was anatomical or satisfactory for 76% (13/17) of the acetabula according to Matta's criteria (maximum residual displacement <3mm) and for 85% (56/66) of the pelvic rings according to Tornetta's criteria (maximum residual displacement <10mm). One or more complications occurred in 45 (65%) patients. After a mean follow-up of 5 years, the mean Oxford Hip Score in patients with acetabular fractures was 35.5 and the mean Majeed score in patients with pelvic ring fractures was 71.5. Only 30% of patients were able to resume physical activities at the former level and to return to their former professional activities. CONCLUSION: Type C floating hip, which combines fractures of the pelvic ring and acetabulum, carries a high risk of bleeding. Special attention should be directed to the reduction of pelvic ring fractures, to avoid malunion. Acetabular fractures that are complex in the Letournel classification carry a risk of imperfect reduction. The results of this study confirm the severity of these rare injuries and the need for specialised multidisciplinary management according to a standardised strategy that is appropriate for the haemodynamic status and type of floating hip (A, B, or C). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV; retrospective study.

Preoperative nutritional risk assessment in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for colorectal carcinomatosis.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is associated with increased postoperative morbidity in colorectal surgery. This study aimed to determine if preoperative nutritional markers could predict postoperative outcomes for patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS-HIPEC) for peritoneal metastasis (PM) of colorectal origin. METHODS: All patients who underwent a complete CRS-HIPEC for colorectal PM between January 2009 and December 2014 were evaluated. Preoperative clinical and biological nutritional factors, including Body Mass Index (BMI), preoperative albumin and prealbumin levels were analysed. Preoperative computed tomography was used to measure the cross-sectional surface of the visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue, at the third lumbar vertebrae, to assess the abdominal fat composition. Skeletal muscle mass was measured to assess for sarcopenia. RESULTS: Among 214 patients, 14 (6.5%) had a BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2, 90 (42%) were sarcopenic, 19 (9%) presented albumin <35 g/L and 2 (1%) had pre-albumin <20 mg/dL. Median values for visceral and subcutaneous fat surfaces were 99.2 cm2 and 198 cm2, respectively. Hypoalbuminemia was associated with worse overall survival (23 vs. 59 months, p = 0.015). The other nutritional factors did not impact overall or progression free survival after CRS-HIPEC for colorectal PM. In multivariate analysis, major post-operative complication and hypoalbuminemia were independently associated with decreased overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Hypoalbuminemia appears as a strong predictive factor for decreased overall survival in patients presenting PM of colorectal origin undergoing CRS-HIPEC.