Iatrogenic femoral artery injury due to cerclage wiring for diaphyseal femoral fracture: A case report and review the literature.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: During femoral fracture osteosynthesis, the superficial femoral artery can be incarcerated in the cerclage wiring. We report a case that had an iatrogenic superficial femoral artery injury due to cerclage wiring during femoral osteosynthesis. CASE PRESENTATION: I reported a 57-year-old patient presented with a fracture at the distal third of the left femur. He had undergone a femoral nailing and a cerclage wiring. Four hours postoperative, his left leg was colder, and his dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial pulse were absent. A CTA revealed his left superficial femoral artery entrapment by cerclage wire. After cerclage removal, the superficial femoral artery and vein had normal flow. The dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial pulse could be palpated. One day following, there was no compromising of blood flow, sensation, or motor-nerve function. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Cerclage wiring in the proximal half of the femur was less risk to the femoral artery than in the distal part. The SFA entrapment into a femoral cerclage wire requires an urgent diagnosis and treatment. A missed diagnosis could lead to necrosis of the lower extremity and even death. CONCLUSION: Our case shows that the superficial femoral artery can be incarcerated in the cerclage wiring during osteosynthesis. Cerclage wiring in the proximal half of the femur was less risk to the femoral artery than in the distal part. We recommend using a suitable cerclage passer precautionary in any femur fracture, particularly in the distal third of the femur. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: A case report.

Comparing the mechanical characteristics between leg lengthening using only an Ilizarov external fixator and leg lengthening over a nail using an external fixator manufactured in Vietnam.

PURPOSE: The mechanical characteristics of leg lengthening over a nail (LON) using an external fixator are not well known; specifically, the number of rings and K-wires required for this method has not been determined. This study aimed to compare the mechanical characteristics of leg LON using the simplest configuration for a domestic frame and those of leg lengthening using the Ilizarov frame alone. METHODS: The mechanical characteristics of cow tibial samples for lengthening over an intramedullary nail in combination with a domestic external fixator (LON samples) and for lengthening with the Ilizarov frame (Ilizarov samples) were evaluated by assessing axial compression, bending load, and torsional load. The research indices were compression stiffness, bending stiffness, torsion stiffness, yield axial load, ultimate axial load, yield bending load, and ultimate bending load. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed in the compression stiffness, ultimate axial load, bending stiffness, and ultimate, yield bending forces between the Ilizarov samples and LON samples. The compressive stiffness, yield axial load, and ultimate axial load of the LON samples were 98 ± 1.31 N/mm, 915 ± 23.89 N, and 1032 ± 29.86 N, respectively. The anterior-posterior bending stiffness and lateral bending stiffness of the LON samples were 122.48 ± 2.92 N/mm and 116.34 ± 3.95 N/mm, respectively. The yield anterior-posterior bending and ultimate anterior-posterior bending forces of the LON samples were 616.4 ± 3.64 N and 753.2 ± 3.49 N, respectively. The yield lateral bending and ultimate lateral bending forces of the LON samples were 624.6 ± 4.04 N and 759.0 ± 3.39 N, respectively. The axial torsional stiffness of the LON samples was 1.73 ± 0.05 N m/°, which was significantly lower than that of the Ilizarov samples (2.63 ± 0.03 N m/°). CONCLUSION: No statistically significant differences were observed in the mechanical fixation characteristics of axial compression and bending between the Ilizarov samples and LON samples. However, the axial torsional stiffness of the Ilizarov samples was statistically greater than that of the LON samples. We recommend using the simplest configuration for domestic frames in combination with LON for limb lengthening. Partial weight-bearing is permitted in the distraction stage. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Case-control study.

Treatment of 18 cm lower limb length discrepancy using lengthening over nail technique in tibia and lengthening and plating in femur - A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: The management of extreme limb-length discrepancy remains a challenge for surgeons. Limb lengthening using an external fixator is a popular method for managing limb-length discrepancy; however, it had many complications. Other techniques using external fixators have been described, such as lengthening over a nail (LON) technique and lengthening and then plating (LATP), which decrease external fixator duration, equinus contracture, pin-site infection, bone alignment, and bone fracture. Only a few cases of management of extreme limb-length discrepancy due to hip dysplasia using LATP and LON techniques are reported in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 24-year-old case of an 18 cm lower limb length discrepancy, who had tibial lengthening and Chiari pelvic osteotomy for treatment of congenital hip dislocation 12 years ago. The treatment for the patient was underwent the lengthening over nail technique in the tibia and lengthening and then plating in the femur. 9 months post-operative, the tibia and femur are union. The patient reported no pain and could walk and climb stairs without a crutch. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Following pelvic osteotomy, leg lengthening is a good treatment for limb-length discrepancy due to hip dysplasia. The LON technique or LATN in the tibia and in the femur is an alternative choice for the treatment of extreme limb-length discrepancy. Lengthening and then plating could be widely employed in patients who are not suitable for the LON technique. Although the patient had gained the 18 cm lengthening, the range of motion of the left knee joint and left ankle joint was unrestricted, and without neurovascular complication. CONCLUSION: Following pelvic osteotomy, LON technique in the tibia and or LATP in the femur is considered an alternative choice for the treatment of extreme limb-length discrepancy due to hip dysplasia. LATP should be widely employed in patients who are not suitable for limb lengthening over a nail. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: A case report.

Treatment of recurrent infection at the tibial bone tunnel after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a medial gastrocnemius muscle flap - A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: The incidence of postoperative infection after ACL reconstruction is reported to be 0.3 to 1.7%. Early debridement and complete removal of the artificial implant have been reported to be very important for complete recovery from postoperative infection after ACL reconstruction. Extra-articular infection of tibial tunnel post ACL reconstruction is a rare case and only a few cases are reported in the literature. The treatment for this lesion is not defined. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 36-year-old case of recurrent infection at the tibial bone tunnel after ACL reconstruction. The treatment for the patient was debridement and then reconstruction using a medial gastrocnemius muscle flap. 9 months post-operative, there were no signs of infection at the surgical site and the knee joint. The patient reported no pain and was capable of walking without a crutch. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Treatment of infection post ACL reconstruction can be accomplished by arthroscopic and surgical wound irrigation and debridement and antibiotic therapy. It was reported that debridement and then bone cement mixed with vancomycin and gentamycin loaded into the tibial bone tunnel was a good method for treatment of this lesion. If the treatment is not successful, a partial medial gastrocnemius muscle flap should be another choice for treatment of the recurrent infection at the tibial bone tunnel after ACL reconstruction. CONCLUSION: A partial pedicle medial gastrocnemius muscle flap is to be considered an alternative choice for treatment of the recurrent infection at the tibial bone tunnel after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: A case report.

Fabella syndrome in a professional football player: A case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Fabella syndrome is a rare cause of posterolateral knee pain. The definitive diagnosis and management of this syndrome remain unclear. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 19-year-old patient who is a Vietnamese professional football player. He presented with persistent pain in the posterolateral aspect of the knee joint for 12 months that was unrelated to trauma. He was treated conservatively for 6 months without any improvement in the previous hospital. He was diagnosed with fabella syndrome and underwent open surgery to remove the bone. Evaluation after surgery 12 weeks revealed the symptoms disappeared and he was able to return to practice. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: In order to diagnose fabella syndrome, the clinicians need to be vigilant and base on the clinical signs as well as imaging to exclude other causes of posterolateral knee pain. Conservative therapy is always the first choice of treatment although the recurrence rate is high, especially in professional athletes. If the initial conservative therapies failed, the fabella surgical removal surgery should be made in athletes. CONCLUSION: Fabella syndrome is a rare cause of posterolateral knee pain in professional athletes. The definitive diagnosis and management of this syndrome remain unclear. Our case shows that surgical removal of the bone fragments can be considered if failure after the initial conservative therapies.

Functional outcomes and complications of tibial lengthening using unilateral external fixation and then plating. A prospective case series.

INTRODUCTION: and Importance: The purpose of this study was to assess the functional outcomes and complications of tibial lengthening using unilateral external fixation and then plating. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective case series study that enrolled people of short stature or leg length discrepancy of more than 3 cm from January 2019 to January 2021. A total of 11 patients (one male and 10 females) were recruited for the study, including seven short statures and four patients with leg length discrepancies. The external fixaters in this study were Muller's frame or Nhan's frame. RESULTS: The average age of patients at the time of surgery was 25.89 years (range: 13-41 years). The study included 18 tibias that were lengthened and then plated. Average tibial lengthening was 6.89 ± 1.25 cm (21.87 ± 6.59%). The functional result was excellent in seven patients and good in four patients. Pin-track infection occurred in three tibias. There was one case of superficial infection. 12 legs (66.7%) developed ankle equinus after removing the external fixator. Four legs with severe equinus deformity were treated with percutaneous tendo-Achilles lengthening. Valgus deviation occurred in eight tibias. Peroneal nerve neuropraxia occurred in two legs during distraction. Distal migration of the fibula head occurred in four legs. CONCLUSION: Our study suggested that tibial lengthening using Nhan's external fixater or Muller frame then plating was safe and effective provided complications were looked for and kept in check. Equinus contracture, pin-site infection, and valgus alignment were the most common complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, prospective case series study.

Fibula lengthening then centralization for the treatment of pseudoarthrosis at the middle third of tibia with large leg-length discrepancy - A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Tibial dysplastic pseudoarthrosis associated with large leg-length discrepancy and extensive scarring was a great challenge for orthopedic surgeons. The treatment for these lesions was not defined. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 24-year-old case of dysplastic pseudoarthrosis at the middle third of the right tibia with a 10 cm leg-length discrepancy and a 250 medial deviation and 200 internal torsion due to osteomyelitis 14 years previously. She was treated by fibula lengthening then centralization for the treatment of tibial pseudoarthrosis. Eight months after the operation, the patient reported no pain and became capable of walking without an orthosis. X-rays showed full bone union at the proximal tibiofibular synostosis and the lengthening site of the right fibula. The distal tibiofibular synostosis was healing. The range of movement of the knee and ankle was restored. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: This technique was different from the Huntington procedure. A good union between the transposed fibula and the remaining part of the fibula brought a better strength of the reconstructed tibia. The tibial pseudoarthrosis, leg-length discrepancy, and malalignment had been solved by our techniques. The procedure was easy, rapid, and inexpensive without requiring microsurgery skills and special devices. CONCLUSION: Leg lengthening then centralization of ipsilateral fibular graft is an excellent option for reconstruction of a tibial pseudarthrosis with a large leg-length discrepancy. It is a safe, rapid, and inexpensive procedure. The procedure was not difficult, and microvascular skills and special devices were not required. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: A case report.

Results and complications of minimally invasive medial plate osteosynthesis for distal metaphyseal tibial fractures: A prospective case series from Vietnam.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: The treatment of a fractures in tibial distal metaphyseal remained controversial. The purpose of this study was to assess the results and complications of minimally invasive medial plate osteosynthesis for distal metaphyseal tibial fractures. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From April 2014 to December 2019, 70 patients were enrolled in the study who were underwent MIPPO for metaphyseal tibial fractures using a medial distal tibial locking plate in our hospital. Wound healing, alignment, full weight bearing time, function, and complications were recorded. RESULTS: All wounds primarily healed, just one fibular plating wound was deeply infected. All tibial fractures were solid union without secondary displacement. The average time back to walk without a crutch was 12,5 weeks. The mean AOFAS score was 89 at a mean of 15 months follow-up. There were seven cases of late infection, 14 patients of skin impingement by implants and nine cases of broken screws, who were older than 65 years old. No case was varus, valgus or rotation >5°. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive medial plate osteosynthesis for the distal metaphyseal tibial fracture is safe and effective. This technique decreases the incidence of complications and can help patients to resume their function early. The implant impingement, late wound infections and screw breakage were the quite common complications in old patients but these complications could be simply resolved and did not affect the overall rehabilitation and functions of the patient.

Tendon transfer for dysfunction of all tendons in leg excepting Achilles tendon and plantaris tendon following irreparable sciatic nerve palsy - A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Irreparable sciatic nerve palsy is a cause of foot drop and resulting in absent or weak most of the muscles in leg. There may be dysfunctions of all tendons in the leg excepting Achilles tendon and plantaris tendon. The treatment of this atypical neurologic injury has not been defined. CASE PRESENTATION: I reported a case of foot drop following irreparable sciatic nerve palsy in which there was a dysfunction of all tendons in leg excepting Achilles tendon and plantaris tendon. The medial gastrocnemius tendon and plantaris tendon were transferred into the anterior tibialis tendon, the extensor digitorum longus tendon and extensor hallucis longus tendon. The lateral gastrocnemius tendon was transferred into the peroneus brevis. Four months post-operative, he reported no pain and became capable of walking without the assistance of an orthosis or a crutch and without steppage gait. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Anterior transfer of the tibialis posterior tendon was the preferred procedure. If no posterior tibial tendon function was presented, then in order of preference, the extensor hallucis longus, extensor digitorum longus, peroneal, flexor hallucis longus tendon, medial gastrocnemius, lateral gastrocnemius and plantaris tendon would be used. CONCLUSION: The atypical dysfunction of all tendons in the leg excepting Achilles tendon and plantaris tendon following irreparable sciatic nerve palsy was presented. Tendon transfer using medial gastrocnemius tendon, lateral gastrocnemius tendon and plantaris tendon seemed to be a good choice for treatment of this injury. It allowed reconstruction of a stable, painless, plantigrade foot. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Case report.