No difference in blood loss between posterior-cruciate-ligament-retaining and posterior-cruciate-ligament-stabilized total knee arthroplasties.

PURPOSE: Posterior-cruciate-ligament-retaining (PCR) and posterior-cruciate-ligament-stabilized (PS) arthroplasties are two major common practices in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The hypothesis of the present study was that compared with the PCR technique, the PS technique is associated with a higher amount of postoperative blood loss and greater need for blood transfusion in cemented TKA. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized study, 100 patients diagnosed with primary knee osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to either the PCR group (Group I) or the PS group (Group II). The exclusion criteria were rheumatological joint disease, previous knee surgery, anticoagulant therapy and hypertension. There were no significant differences in age, body mass index and gender, between the groups. The haemoglobin and haematocrit levels of each patient were recorded preoperatively and on postoperative days 1, 3 and 5. The postoperative suction drainage and blood transfusion volumes were also recorded. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in haemoglobin or haematocrit levels between the groups on postoperative days 1, 3 and 5. There were also no statistically significant differences in the total measured blood loss volume, postoperative drainage amounts or transfusion rates between the groups. CONCLUSION: Use of the PS technique during cemented TKA does not appear to influence the amount of perioperative blood loss or the need for postoperative blood transfusion in general. The clinical relevance of this study is that the difference in blood loss between the PCR and PS techniques does not need to be considered by surgeons when performing TKA.

Treatment of unstable thoracolumbar junction burst fractures with short- or long-segment posterior fixation in magerl type a fractures.

The treatment of thoracolumbar fractures remains controversial. A review of the literature showed that short-segment posterior fixation (SSPF) alone led to a high incidence of implant failure and correction loss. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the outcomes of the SS- and long-segment posterior fixation (LSPF) in unstable thoracolumbar junction burst fractures (T12-L2) in Magerl Type A fractures. The patients were divided into two groups according to the number of instrumented levels. Group I included 32 patients treated by SSPF (four screws: one level above and below the fracture), and Group II included 31 patients treated by LSPF (eight screws: two levels above and below the fracture). Clinical outcomes and radiological parameters (sagittal index, SI; and canal compromise, CC) were compared according to demographic features, localizations, load-sharing classification (LSC) and Magerl subgroups, statistically. The fractures with more than 10 degrees correction loss at sagittal plane were analyzed in each group. The groups were similar with regard to age, gender, LSC, SI, and CC preoperatively. The mean follow-ups were similar for both groups, 36 and 33 months, respectively. In Group II, the correction values of SI, and CC were more significant than in Group I. More than 10 degrees correction loss occurred in six of the 32 fractures in Group I and in two of the 31 patients in Group II. SSPF was found inadequate in patients with high load sharing scores. Although radiological outcomes (SI and CC remodeling) were better in Group II for all fracture types and localizations, the clinical outcomes (according to Denis functional scores) were similar except Magerl type A33 fractures. We recommend that, especially in patients, who need more mobility, with LSC point 7 or less with Magerl Type A31 and A32 fractures (LSC point 6 or less in Magerl Type A3.3) without neurological deficit, SSPF achieves adequate fixation, without implant failure and correction loss. In Magerl Type A33 fractures with LSC point 7 or more (LSC points 8-9 in Magerl Type A31 and A32) without severe neurologic deficit, LSPF is more beneficial.

Intramedullary wire fixation for unstable forearm fractures in children.

Displaced fractures of the diaphyseal forearm in children are often treated conservatively, but there is relatively high incidence of redisplacement, malunion and consequent limitation of function. This retrospective study was performed to determine means for minimalising the complications of intramedullary Kirschner (K)-wire fixation used in the treatment of unstable, diaphyseal forearm fractures by pointing out those which most frequently occur with this treatment choice. This treatment method was applied in 48 children with a mean age of 10.3 (range, 5-14) years. A limited open reduction to one or both bones was necessary for insertion of the intramedullary wire in 20 (40%) patients. Although 24 complications, such as pin site infection, loss of forearm rotation, superficial branch of radial nerve palsy, delayed union, nonunion, hardware migration, and K-wire penetration to the opposite cortex, were recorded in 18 patients, 46 patients (96%) had excellent or good, 1 patient (2%) had fair and 1 patient (2%) had poor outcome using the grading scheme adapted by Price. Except for the patient in whom the fracture was not united, the average union time was 6.3 weeks in children less than 10 years and 7.8 weeks in those above 10 years of age. Despite these minor complications, percutaneous intramedullary fixation with K-wires and proper technique is an appropriate, effective and safe operation for unstable diaphyseal fractures of the forearm in children who cannot be treated by closed manipulation.

[Cementless total hip replacement in patients with high total dislocation: the results of femoral shortening by subtrochanteric segmental resection]. / Yüksek kalça çikikli hastalarda çimentosuz total kalça artroplastisi: Subtrokanterik segmental rezeksiyon ile femoral kisaltma sonuçlari.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the results of femoral shortening by subtrochanteric segmental resection in patients who underwent total hip replacement (THR) for high total dislocation of the hip. METHODS: We performed THR in 19 hips of 16 patients (15 females, 1 male; mean age 41 years; range 22 to 55 years) with high total dislocation of the hip. All the patients had severe hip pain. In all cases, femoral shortening by subtrochanteric segmental resection and an anatomical reconstruction of the acetabulum were performed with the use of cementless femoral components and cementless acetabular components with screws, respectively. The Harris hip scoring system was used for functional assessments. Radiologic assessments were based on the DeLee and Charnley criteria for the acetabular component, and on the Gruen zones and the Engh criteria for the femoral component. The mean follow-up period was 44 months (range 22 to 79 months). RESULTS: Union was achieved in all cases in a mean of 14 weeks (range 11 to 15 weeks). The mean leg length discrepancy decreased from 4 cm to 1.5 cm postoperatively. A positive Trendelenburg sign was found in 13 patients and four patients before and after surgery, respectively. The mean Harris hip score improved from 37 to 83 postoperatively. None of the patients developed deep infection, dislocation, sciatic nerve palsy, or nonunion at the osteotomy site. No clinical and radiologic signs of loosening were observed and no revisions were required. CONCLUSION: Femoral shortening with subtrochanteric segmental resection in THR is a safe technique in patients with high total dislocation of the hip, leading to satisfactory functional results.