A comparison of ultrasonography and radiography in the management of infants with suspected developmental dysplasia of the hip.

The aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of plain radiography in the detection of developmental dysplasia of the hip, using hip ultrasonography as a reference standard. A retrospective review was made in 44 infants ranging in age from 4 weeks to 50 weeks (mean age: 21.7 weeks). Both radiographic and ultrasonographic images were obtained for 86 hips. Radiography and ultrasonography were found to be significantly correlated in terms of classification of developmental dysplasia of the hip presence or absence (p < 0.0001, Fisher's exact test). With ultrasonography accepted as the standard for the diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip, radiography had a sensitivity of 61% and a specificity of 87%. The results of this study suggest that the two imaging methods give similar overall results, but that low grade dysplasia detected on ultrasonography may go undetected on radiography.

Comparison of knee function after antegrade and retrograde intramedullary nailing for diaphyseal femoral fractures: results of isokinetic evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate knee function in patients having femoral diaphyseal fractures treated with antegrade or retrograde intramedullary nail insertion. DESIGN: Prospective. SETTING: Level I referral center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy patients having 71 OTA 32 fractures were randomly allocated into 2 groups to be treated with either antegrade or retrograde intramedullary nails inserted with reaming. INTERVENTION: Antegrade nail in 41 fractures and retrograde femoral intramedullary nails in 30 fractures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative knee range of motion, Lysholm Knee Score, and isokinetic knee muscle function testing at least 6 months after documented fracture healing, minimum 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: Groups had similar data with regard to demographics and injury patterns. Mean follow-up time was 44 (range: 25-80) months. Mean knee flexion angle was 132 and 134 degrees, and mean Lysholm Score was 84 and 83.1 in antegrade and retrograde groups, respectively (P = 0.893 and P = 0.701). Isokinetic evaluation revealed similar results for peak torque deficiencies at 30 and 180 degrees per second and total work deficiencies at 180 degrees per second (P > 0.05). Age affected the knee functioning as the higher the age of the patient is, the lower the Lysholm Score and knee flexion angle (r = -0.449, P = 0.0321 and r = -0.568, P = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Knee function seems to have similar clinical results after either antegrade or retrograde nail insertion for femoral diaphyseal fractures when knee range of motion, Lysholm Scores, and isokinetic knee evaluation are considered as outcome measures. With increasing patient age, a decrease in knee functioning should be anticipated in patients with femoral fractures treated with intramedullary nails regardless of technique.

[Superfluous computed tomography utilization for the evaluation of the pelvis and spinal column in an orthopedic emergency department]. / Acil ortopedi ve travmatoloji polikliniginde omurga ve pelvis degerlendirmesi için gereksiz bilgisayarli tomografi kullanimi.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to investigate the frequency of requests for computed tomography (CT) examination of the spinal column and pelvis in our emergency orthopedic department, the reasons of requests, and the rates of positive and negative CT examinations. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients for whom a request for CT examination was made by the emergency orthopedic department within a year (September 2005- 2006). The reasons for CT requests, findings in CT reports, and age and sex of the patients were recorded. Findings unrelated and related to the original request denoted a negative and positive CT examination, respectively. RESULTS: Of 24,378 admissions to our emergency orthopedic department, a CT scan was requested in 1,295 patients (5.3%). In 817 patients (63.1%), CT examination involved the pelvis or the spinal column. Of these, 418 CT scans (51.2%) yielded a negative result. The mean age of the patients with a negative CT scan was significantly lower than those having a positive CT scan (40.7 vs 45.1 years; p=0.001). There was no significant difference with respect to sex between patients having negative and positive CT findings (p=0.670). Compared to pelvis CT scans, the frequency of negative CTs was significantly higher for spinal column examinations (p<0.001). The incidence of negative CT scans for upper thoracic and cervical vertebrae was significantly higher than that found for lower thoracic and lumbar regions (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The high incidence of negative CT scans documented for pelvic and spinal column examinations underlines the need for measures to avoid superfluous CT requests in emergency departments.

[Comparison of plate-screw fixation and intramedullary fixation with inflatable nails in the treatment of acute humeral shaft fractures]. / Akut humerus cisim kiriklarinin cerrahi tedavisinde plak vida ile sisebilen intramedüller çivi yöntemlerinin karsilastirilmasi.

OBJECTIVES: We compared the results of plate-screw fixation and intramedullary fixation with inflatable nails for the treatment of acute humeral diaphyseal fractures. METHODS: The study included 34 patients (20 females, 14 males; mean age 36.4 years; range 18 to 62 years) who were selected from patients treated with plate-screw fixation or inflatable intramedullary nails. The groups were matched for age, sex, severity of fracture, and the type of humeral fracture. Eighteen fractures were treated in each group. Classification of humeral fractures and open fractures were made according to the AO and Gustilo-Anderson systems, respectively. Functional evaluations were made at postoperative six and 12 months using Constant shoulder and Mayo elbow performance scores. All the patients were administered the Short-Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire at 12 months. The two groups were compared with respect to operation time, perioperative need for blood transfusion, time to union, complications, and shoulder and elbow functions. RESULTS: The mean operation time was significantly shorter (25.3 min vs 66.1 min; p<0.001) and the need for blood transfusion was significantly less (p=0.001) with inflatable intramedullary nails. Constant shoulder and Mayo elbow scores did not differ significantly between the two groups. Implant failure was only encountered with plate-screw fixation in three patients. Union problems were observed in five patients (3 plate-screw, 2 intramedullary nail). Following plate-screw fixation, two patients developed superficial infection, two patients developed transient radial paralysis. CONCLUSIONS: Inflatable intramedullary nails can be used safely in the treatment of acute humeral diaphyseal fractures without increasing union problems and complications.

[A comparison of different fixation combinations for the treatment of ipsilateral hip and femoral diaphyseal fractures]. / Ayni taraf kalça ve femur cisim kiriklarinin tedavisinde kullanilan farkli tespit kombinasyonlarinin karsilastirilmasi.

BACKGROUND: The effects of four different fixation combinations were retrospectively evaluated on the treatment results of ipsilateral hip and femur fractures. METHODS: Ipsilateral hip and femur fractures of 19 patients (4 females, 15 males; mean age 26 years; range 18 to 41 years) were treated by four fixation combinations. In two groups, diaphysis fractures were treated by plate and screw fixation, and hip fractures by three cannulated screws (n=5) or dynamic hip screws (n=4). In another group, femur fractures were fixed with a retrograde intramedullary locking nail, and hip fractures by three cannulated screws (n=7). Finally, hip and diaphysis fractures in three patients were treated by an antegrade intramedullary locking nail through which a screw was sent to the collum. The mean time to surgery was four days (range 1 to 9 days) and the mean follow-up period was 22.5 months (range 12 to 33 months). RESULTS: All femoral diaphyseal fractures healed in a mean of 3.5 months (range 2.5 to 8 months). No significant differences were found with respect to localization of fractures and amount of displacement, time to healing for hip fractures, the length of hospital stay, and complications. Compared to the other groups, fixation with a retrograde intramedullary locking nail resulted in significantly less healing period (p=0.034), operation time (p<0.001), and blood transfusion during surgery (p=0.025). No patients exhibited decreased range of motion of the hip or implant failure. CONCLUSION: The use of a retrograde intramedullary locking nail with percutaneous screw fixation seems to be more advantageous in the treatment of ipsilateral hip and diaphyseal femoral fractures.

Arteriovenous fistula and bone healing: experimental study in the rat.

The incidence of fractures is greater in patients with hemodialysis than in the general population. Surgically created arteriovenous fistulas are widely used in end-stage renal failure patients for the vascular access of hemodialysis. Despite occurrence of fracture at the fistula site in the forearm, bone mineral density is similar in both arms. The effects of arteriovenous fistulas on fracture healing have not been widely studied. The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that a fracture distal to a surgically-created arteriovenous fistula has negative effects in a rat osteotomy model. The tibial bones were fractured in a monocortical fashion bilaterally. No fixation method was used. The right side was used as control. On the left side of the rat, a side-to-side arteriovenous anastomosis was done between the common femoral vessels proximal to the fracture line under magnification with the operating microscope. Three weeks later, bone segments, including the monocortical osteotomy line, were removed and examined histopathologically. Although the gross appearance of callus formation was not different in both groups, histopathologically, there were more dead medullary bone and less cartilage cells around the osteotomy line in the bone associated with the arteriovenous fistula. But with short-term evaluation of the fracture sites after opening an arteriovenous connection proximal to the fracture site, no real difference was noted related to fracture healing.

[Short-term results of treatment of humeral and tibial fractures with new inflatable intramedullary nails]. / Sisirilebilen intramedüller çivi kullanilarak tedavi edilen humerus ve tibia diafiz kiriklarinda kisa dönem sonuçlar.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the effectiveness of a new inflatable intramedullary nail system in the treatment of tibial and humeral fractures. METHODS: The study included seven patients (4 men, 3 women; mean age 37.5 years; range 27 to 48 years) whose humeral or tibial fractures were treated by new inflatable intramedullary nails. Five fractures were in the tibial diaphysis; three were humerus fractures. One patient had bilateral involvement. All tibial fractures and one humeral fracture were fresh, whereas two patients presented with delayed union. Treatment consisted of closed reduction and antegrade intramedullary nailing, with the addition of bone grafting in delayed unions. The patients were evaluated with regard to operation duration, healing periods, complications, and final clinical and radiologic findings. The mean follow-up period was 15.3 months (range 12 to 20 months). RESULTS: Operation time for both tibial and humeral fractures was less than that with other internal fixation techniques. The need for fluoroscopic monitoring decreased appreciably, as well. Healing times were similar to those of other intramedullary nailing systems. No complications occurred related to the use of the inflatable intramedullary nail system. CONCLUSION: The use of inflatable intramedullary nails may have significant implications in selected fractures, allowing easier stabilization of long bone fractures and saving valuable operation time.