Myelomeningocele and Kyphosis: Natural History of the Disease and the First Results of a New Surgical Technique.

AIM: To define the natural course of kyphosis, and to evaluate the efficiency of a new technique in surgical correction of kyphosis seen in myelomeningocele(MM) patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our patients with MM. The rate of kyphosis, mean angle of progression and mean angle of surgical correction were evaluated. Surgical correction was achieved with the same technique in all patients; kyphectomy, short segment instrumentation with plate system and long segment instrumentation with screw-rod system. RESULTS: A total of 14 patients were treated surgically and the mean age at the surgery was 39 months. The incidence of kyphosis rate was %21 in this study. The mean angle of kyphosis was 85.8°. Average angle of progression was 15.7° whereas it was 6.3° degree in patients whose kyphosis angle ?90 and > 90 degree, respectively, at birth. 14 patients were treated surgically and the mean age at the surgery was 39 months. The mean angle of correction of kyphosis was 86 degree. The most common complications were wound dehiscence and cerebro-spinal fluid leak. One patient died 3 months after surgery, and one patient was reoperated due to pull-out of screws. CONCLUSION: Effective surgical correction of kyphosis in MM patients can be achieved with the described surgical technique even in younger ages. Prospective studies in larger study population are necessary for more accurate definition of natural history of kyphosis in MM patients.

Atlanto-axial rotary instability (Fielding type 1): characteristic clinical and radiological findings, and treatment outcomes following alignment, fusion, and stabilization.

Atlanto-axial instability (AAI) is common in the connective tissue disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, and increasingly recognized in the heritable disorders of Stickler, Loeys-Dietz, Marfan, Morquio, and Ehlers-Danlos (EDS) syndromes, where it typically presents as a rotary subluxation due to incompetence of the alar ligament. This retrospective, IRB-approved study examines 20 subjects with Fielding type 1 rotary subluxation, characterized by anterior subluxation of the facet on one side, with a normal atlanto-dental interval. Subjects diagnosed with a heritable connective tissue disorder, and AAI had failed non-operative treatment and presented with severe headache, neck pain, and characteristic neurological findings. Subjects underwent a modified Goel-Harms posterior C1-C2 screw fixation and fusion without complication. At 15 months, two subjects underwent reoperation following a fall (one) and occipito-atlantal instability (one). Patients reported improvement in the frequency or severity of neck pain (P < 0.001), numbness in the hands and lower extremities (P = 0.001), headaches, pre-syncope, and lightheadedness (all P < 0.01), vertigo and arm weakness (both P = 0.01), and syncope, nausea, joint pain, and exercise tolerance (all P < 0.05). The diagnosis of Fielding type 1 AAI requires directed investigation with dynamic imaging. Alignment and stabilization is associated with improvement of pain, syncopal and near-syncopal episodes, sensorimotor function, and exercise tolerance.

Odontoid Fractures: A Critical Review of Current Management and Future Directions.

Odontoid fractures represent one of the most common and controversial injury types affecting the cervical spine, being associated with a high incidence of nonunion, morbidity, and mortality. These complications are especially common and important in elderly patients, for which ideal treatment options are still under debate. Stable fractures in young patients maybe treated conservatively, with immobilization. Although halo-vest has been widely used for their conservative management, studies have shown high rates of complications in the elderly, and therefore current evidence suggests that the conservative management of these fractures should be carried out with a hard cervical collar or cervicothoracic orthosis. Elderly patients with stable fractures have been reported to have better clinical results with surgical treatment. For these and for all patients with unstable fractures, several surgical techniques have been proposed. Anterior odontoid fixation can be used in reducible fractures with ideal fracture patterns, with older patients requiring fixation with 2 screws. In other cases, C1-C2 posterior fixation maybe needed with the best surgical option depending on the reducibility of the fracture and vertebral artery anatomy. In this paper, current evidence on the management of odontoid fractures is discussed, and an algorithm for treatment is proposed.

Progress of the Anterior Transpedicular Screw in Lower Cervical Spine: A Review.

The anterior transpedicular screws (ATPS) fixation is a valuable discovery in the field of lower cervical spine (LCS) reconstruction, as it has the advantages of both anterior and posterior approaches. In recent years, with in-depth research on ATPS fixation related to anatomy, biomechanical tests, and clinical applications, its firm stability and excellent biomechanical properties have been recognized by more and more surgeons. Although ATPS fixation has been gradually applied in clinic settings under the promotion of emerging distinctive instruments, its long-term efficacy still needs to be further clarified due to the lack of large sample size studies and long-term follow-up. Nevertheless, it is believed that with the maturity of digital devices and the development of precision medicine, ATPS fixation has a promising prospect.

Three Methods of Pelvic Fixation for Scoliosis in Children With Cerebral Palsy: Differences at 5-year Follow-Up.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess correction of pelvic obliquity in children with cerebral palsy (CP) scoliosis postoperatively and 5 years after posterior spinal fusion with pelvic fixation using unit rods, sacral-alar-iliac (SAI) screws, or iliac screws. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There are multiple options for pelvic fixation in children with scoliosis secondary to CP. The long-term differences in outcomes between these fixation methods are still unclear. METHODS: A multicenter review identified records of 70 children with CP who underwent posterior spinal fusion for scoliosis using unit rods (n = 9), SAI screws (n = 19), or iliac screws (n = 42). Patients younger than 18 years with 5-year follow-up were included. Pelvic obliquity and major coronal curve measurements were compared using preoperative, (first erect) postoperative, and 5-year follow-up radiographs. Implant-related complications were noted. Alpha = 0.05. RESULTS: For all groups, there was a significant difference between preoperative and postoperative pelvic obliquity that was maintained at 5 years. At 5-year follow-up, pelvic obliquity was significantly higher in the IS group (12°) compared with the unit rod group (4°, P = 0.001) and SAI screw group (6°) (P = 0.006). Implant-related complications were as follows: unit rod group, one patient (reoperation); SAI screw group, none; iliac screw group, six patients, including three cases of loss of connection between the rod and the iliac screw, two prominent screws, and one loose screw. CONCLUSION: Correction of pelvic obliquity for children with CP-related scoliosis was achieved postoperatively using unit rods, SAI screws, and iliac screws. Implant-related complications and reoperations were most common in the iliac screw group. At 5-year follow-up, the iliac screw group had loss of major curve correction and less correction of pelvic obliquity than the unit rod and SAI screw groups. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Using a corkscrew-tipped telescopic nail in the treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta: a biomechanical study and preliminary results of 17 consecutive cases.

High complication rates were reported with the telescopic nail technique systems. To overcome such technical difficulties, we designed a corkscrew-tipped telescopic nail (CTTN). We biomechanically compared its pullout strength with that of two other tip designs. We used CTTN in 17 patients with osteogenesis imperfecta and reported their preliminary results. Average patient age was 82.6 months, and mean follow-up was 32.0±6 months. Telescoping and osteotomy site healing were assessed using radiological studies. Successful telescoping with event-free osteotomy site healing was achieved in 94.1% of patients; limited telescoping and delayed union were detected in one case each. Our results show that CTTN provides sufficient pullout strength and reduced complication rates compared with other designs.

Guided growth for caput valgum in developmental dysplasia of the hip.

This study reported guided growth for caput valgum deformity and subsequent hip development. Ten children with unilateral hip dysplasia had guided growth by one eccentric transphyseal screw at age 9.1 years with minimum 2 years of follow-up. The first change was decreasing articulotrochanteric distance and then increasing physis tilt angle and head-shaft angle by 1.5 years. The center edge angle that was significantly less than the normal side (18.3 vs. 24.8°) preoperatively became comparable between both the hips 2 years later. Rebounding of physis inclination after screw back out suggested mechanical tethering, rather than permanent physis closure, resulted in morphologic changes in the femur. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, level IV.

Adding Satellite Rods to Standard Two-rod Construct With the Use of Duet Screws: An Effective Technique to Improve Surgical Outcomes and Preventing Proximal Junctional Kyphosis in Posterior-Only Correction of Scheuermann Kyphosis.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective matched-cohort comparative study. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the surgical results after the use of duet screw based satellite rods and bilateral satellite rods (S-RC) versus a standard two-rod construct (2-RC) across osteotomy sites in a matched cohort with Scheuermann kyphosis (SK). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Multiple Ponte osteotomies are frequently employed to correct SK via a posterior-only approach, with a 2-RC across the osteotomy sites. Whereas, correction rate and junction problems remain as the major concerns. METHODS: This study reviewed a consecutive series of patients with SK who had undergone posterior-only correction with multilevel Ponte osteotomy between 2009 and 2014 and had been followed over 24 months. Twenty-two patients receiving placement with an S-RC with the use of duet screws were identified and closely matched with 22 patients with a 2-RC in terms of age, apex, and magnitude of kyphosis. Comparisons were made with regards to deformity magnitude, correction results, complications, and clinical outcomes between the two groups. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between groups in preoperative patient's factors (age, gender, apex, magnitude of kyphosis, and SRS-22 scores) and surgical factors (blood loss, operation time, osteotomy levels, and fused levels). Compared with the 2-RC group, the S-RC group had higher correction rate (55.4% ±â€Š7.5% vs. 46.2% ±â€Š5.1%, P < 0.001), less correction loss (1.0 ±â€Š0.8° vs. 2.4 ±â€Š1.4°, P < 0.001) during the follow-up, and higher improvement of back pain as well (P < 0.05). None were detected with pseudarthrosis or implant failure in either group, but proximal junctional kyphosis was less frequently seen in S-RC group (1 of 22) than 2-RC group (7 of 22) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: As a safe method, use of S-RC is effective in providing increased kyphotic correction across multiple Ponte osteotomy levels, and improving patient-reported outcomes of management satisfaction and back pain. The biomechanical benefits of stress dispersion, coupled with increased stability and weight bearing ability, make it a powerful technique preventing correction loss and proximal junctional kyphosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

The efficacy of posterior hemivertebra resection with lumbosacral fixation and fusion in the treatment of congenital scoliosis: A more than 2-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: Hemivertebrae (HV) located at the lower lumbar or lumbosacral region often produce early trunk imbalance and long compensatory curves. Because of the biomechanical characteristics of the lumbosacral junction, the rate of instrumentation failures at the region has always been high. Our study aimed to evaluate the results of posterior HV resection with lumbosacral fixation and fusion in the treatment of congenital scoliosis and to make a preliminary analysis of the possible risk factors for instrument failures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 2010 to 2015, 17 patients (7 males and 10 females) with congenital scoliosis underwent HV resection with lumbosacral fixation and fusion in our department. The mean patient age was 13.2±4.4years at surgery, and the mean follow-up time was 37.6±4.6months. Clinical outcomes and related complications were assessed by reviewing medical records, operative notes, radiographic data, and scores on the SRS-22 questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean Cobb angle of the segmental curve was 37.5°±12.7° preoperatively, 7.9°±5.5° postoperatively, and 7.9°±5.3° at the latest follow-up. The mean Cobb angle of the cranial compensatory curve was 39.2°±17.2°, 9.1°±9.5°, and 9.5°±10.8°, respectively. Trunk balance was improved in both the coronal (59.6%) and sagittal (58.6%) planes after surgery, and remained stable at the latest follow-up. Three domains of SRS-22, including self-image, mental health, and satisfaction, were significantly improved at the latest follow-up compared with preoperative status. Complications included one transient neurologic impairment, one superficial wound infection, and two implant failures. CONCLUSIONS: Early posterior HV resection with short lumbosacral fixation and fusion is effective in the treatment of HV located at lower lumbar or lumbosacral region. Delayed surgical intervention may lead to longer fusion and fixation. A long lumbosacral construct using only S1 pedicle screws as distal anchors tends to accompany a high rate of implant failures.

Comparison of outcomes according to fixation technique following the modified Ludloff osteotomy for hallux valgus in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Clinical and radiological outcomes including fixation stability of osteotomy site were compared in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who underwent modified Ludloff osteotomy to correct hallux valgus with osteotomy site fixation using two screws versus those who underwent additional fixation using a plate. METHODS: The fixation technique performed with two screws was used to fix the osteotomy sites following modified Ludloff osteotomy in 15 patients (15 feet, Group S), while the augmented plate fixation technique was used in 14 patients (16 feet, Group P). Surgical outcomes were analysed using the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores, and radiologic parameters measured before surgery and during follow-up examinations. To evaluate the stability of each osteotomy site fixation technique, the 1-2 inter-metatarsal angle (IMA) and angle of the altered margin of the lateral cortex (AMLC) were measured immediately and 6 weeks after surgery, and variations in the angles were compared. In addition, bone mineral density (BMD) values were compared between patients with correction loss at the osteotomy site and those with no loss of correction. RESULTS: No significant differences between groups were found for total AOFAS scores before surgery and at the final follow-up. However, significant differences were observed in the 1-2 IMA, beginning at 6 weeks postoperatively and continuing through the final follow-up. The 1-2 IMA and angle of AMLC measured immediately after and 6 weeks after surgery showed significantly greater variation in Group S than in Group P. In Group S, patients with correction loss (5 feet) at osteotomy site showed significantly lower BMD values than those with no loss of correction (10 feet). Despite the lower BMD values of patients in Group P than in Group S, a loss of correction did not occur in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Correction loss occurred at the osteotomy site within 6 weeks postoperatively in patients who underwent fixation using only the two-screw fixation technique following modified Ludloff osteotomy; such loss could be reduced using the augmented plate fixation technique even in patients with osteoporosis.

Minimally Invasive Sacroiliac Joint Fusion Using a Novel Hydroxyapatite-Coated Screw: Preliminary 1-Year Clinical and Radiographic Results of a 2-Year Prospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: Proper diagnosis and treatment of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain remains a clinical challenge. Dysfunction of the SIJ can produce pain in the lower back, buttocks, and extremities. Triangular titanium implants for minimally invasive surgical arthrodesis have been available for several years, with reputed high levels of success and patient satisfaction. This study reports on a novel hydroxyapatite-coated screw for surgical treatment of SIJ pain. METHODS: Data were prospectively collected on 32 consecutive patients who underwent minimally invasive SIJ fusion with a novel hydroxyapatite-coated screw. Clinical assessments and radiographs were collected and evaluated at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Mean (standard deviation) patient age was 55.2 ± 10.7 years, and 62.5% were female. More patients (53.1%) underwent left versus right SIJ treatment, mean operative time was 42.6 ± 20.4 minutes, and estimated blood loss did not exceed 50 mL. Overnight hospital stay was required for 84% of patients, and the remaining patients needed a 2-day stay (16%). Mean preoperative visual analog scale back and leg pain scores decreased significantly by 12 months postoperatively (P < 0.01). Mechanical stability was achieved in 93.3% (28/30) of patients, and all patients who were employed preoperatively returned to work within 3 months. Two patients who required revision surgery reported symptom improvement within 3 weeks and did not require subsequent surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Positive clinical outcomes are reported 1 year postoperatively after implantation of a novel implant to treat sacroiliac joint pain. Future clinical studies with larger samples are warranted to assess long-term patient outcomes.

Conversion to total hip arthroplasty after failed proximal femoral nail antirotations or dynamic hip screw fixations for stable intertrochanteric femur fractures: a retrospective study with a minimum follow-up of 3 years.

BACKGROUND: Conversion to total hip arthroplasty (CTHA) is a relatively common procedure after a failed dynamic hip screw (DHS) or proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) fixation of intertrochanteric fractures, but there have been far fewer reports specifically describing the long-term results of CTHA after failed treatments of stable intertrochanteric fractures with DHS or PFNA. The aim of the present study was to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of CTHA after failed PFNA or DHS fixations of stable intertrochanteric fractures after a minimum follow-up of 3 years. METHODS: Between January 2005 and April 2014, we retrospectively reviewed 142 active elderly patients treated at our institution (a single institution study). A total of 72 patients (72 hips; 41 women, 31 men; mean age 76.9 years old; range 60-92 years old) who underwent conversion of a failed PFNA to a THA were compared with 70 patients (70 hips; 36 women, 34 men; mean age 75.0 years old; range 60-90 years old) who underwent CTHA after a failed DHS fixation. The mean follow-up periods were 48 (range 43-52) and 48 (range 44-52) months for the DHS and PFNA groups, respectively. Clinical and radiologic evaluations were performed on all patients. The primary outcome was the Harris Hip Score (HHS). The secondary outcomes were the complication rates. RESULTS: The Harris Hip Score (HHS) improved from 50.61 ± 3.23 preoperatively to 85.28 ± 4.45 at the last follow-up in the PFNA group and from 51.46 ± 3.90 to 84.50 ± 4.34 in the DHS group, with no significant differences noted between the groups at each follow-up (P > 0.05). However, the complication rate in the converted DHS patients was significantly higher (42.9%) than that in the converted PFNA patients (20.8%; P = 0.003). Thirty-seven PFFs (2.4%) occurred during a mean follow-up of 44.4 months. The incidence of periprosthetic fractures was found to be significantly higher (P = 0.021) for the DHS group (15.7%) than for the PFNA group (4.2%). CONCLUSIONS: CTHA after failed DHS fixations of stable intertrochanteric fractures might be associated with a significantly higher complication rate than CTHA after failed PFNA fixations. Therefore, PFNA patients with stable intertrochanteric fractures may be more suitable for CTHA.

Displaced Neer Type IIB distal-third clavicle fractures-Long-term clinical outcome after plate fixation and additional screw augmentation for coracoclavicular instability.

BACKGROUND: Unstable Neer Type IIB fractures require meticulous surgical treatment. Thus, the aim of this study was to present long-term outcomes after plate fixation and minimally invasive coracoclavicular (CC) stabilization using screw fixation. METHODS: A consecutive series of patients with unstable Neer Type IIB displaced clavicle fractures, treated by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with a plate and additional screw fixation for coracoclavicular ligament instability, was reviewed in order to determine long-term clinical and radiological outcome. RESULTS: Seven patients, six males and one female, with a mean age of 37 ± 8 years (median: 36 years; range, 28-51 years), were evaluated. At latest follow-up, after a mean of 67 months (range, 11-117 months), patients presented with the following mean scores: DASH: 0.57, ASES: 98.81, UCLA: 34.29, VAS: 0.43, Simple Shoulder Test: 11.57. However, two complications were observed: one case of implant loosening and one non-union. There were no differences observed between the CC distances comparing postoperative X-rays to those in final follow-up. In 25% of our patients early postoperative complications occurred. In all patients reoperation was necessary to remove the implanted screw. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicate that the treatment of Neer Type IIB lateral clavicle fractures with ORIF using a plate and additional CC screw fixation, leads to satisfying clinical and radiological outcomes in the long-term. However, considering an early postoperative complication rate of 25% and a 100% rate of secondary surgery due to removal of the CC screw does not seem to justify this technique anymore.

A new adjustable parallel drill guide for internal fixation of femoral neck fracture: a developmental and experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Internal fixation is one treatment for femoral neck fracture. Some devices and techniques reported improved accuracy and decreased fluoroscopic time. However, these are not widely used nowadays due to the lack of available special instruments and techniques. To improve the surgical procedure, the authors designed a new adjustable drill guide and tested the efficacy of the device. METHODS: The authors developed a new adjustable drill guide for cannulated screw guide wire insertion for multiple screw fixation. Eight orthopaedic surgeons performed the experimental study to evaluate the efficacy of this device. Each surgeon performed guide wire insertion for multiple screw fixation in six synthetic femurs: three times with the new device and three times with the conventional technique. The fluoroscopic time, operative time and surgeon satisfaction were evaluated. RESULTS: In the operations with the new adjustable drill guide, the fluoroscopic and operative times were significantly lower than the operations with the conventional technique (p < 0.05). The mean score for the level of satisfaction of this device was also statistically significantly better (p = 0.02) than the conventional technique. CONCLUSIONS: The fluoroscopic and operative times with the new adjustable drill guide were reduced for multiple screw fixation of femoral neck fracture and the satisfaction of the surgeons was good.

Low Pelvic Incidence Is Associated With Proximal Junctional Kyphosis in Patients Treated With Growing Rods.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of a prospectively collected pediatric orthopedic spine database. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether pelvic incidence (PI) changes during growing rod treatment and to report the effects of PI, if any, on complications during treatment. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Growing rods have been demonstrated to correct spinal deformity in early onset scoliosis while allowing for spinal growth. There has been little investigation into the potential effects, if any, of abnormal PI on complications, especially proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed clinical and surgical data from our prospectively collected pediatric orthopedic spine database. Our final cohort of 48 patients had at least one lateral radiograph throughout the course of treatment containing the femoral heads and sacral endplate, and a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Defined failures were identified prospectively. Radiographs were measured for PI and development of PJK. RESULTS: Mean age at initial treatment was 6.9 years (range 2.8-10.8 yr), with 35 females and 13 males. The mean length of follow-up was 8.1 years (range 2.0-22.1 yr). No statistical change in PI was observed throughout this study (P = 0.655). Development of any failure as well as total number of failures was associated with younger age at initial treatment (P < 0.0005 for both). Development of PJK was associated with younger age at initial treatment (P = 0.030), female sex (P = 0.002), and lower mean PI (P = 0.042). CONCLUSION: PI remains constant throughout growth and the course of treatment with growing rods. Low PI was associated with increased PJK. When using growing rods in early onset scoliosis patients with decreased PI, increased attention should be paid to sagittal plane balance in an attempt to avoid PJK. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Which Fixation Device is Preferred for Surgical Treatment of Intertrochanteric Hip Fractures in the United States? A Survey of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

BACKGROUND: The best treatment for intertrochanteric hip fractures is controversial. The use of cephalomedullary nails has increased, whereas use of sliding hip screws has decreased despite the lack of evidence that cephalomedullary nails are more effective. As current orthopaedic trainees receive less exposure to sliding hip screws, this may continue to perpetuate the preferential use of cephalomedullary nails, with important implications for resident education, evidence-based best practices, and healthcare cost. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We asked: (1) What are the current practice patterns in surgical treatment of intertrochanteric fractures among orthopaedic surgeons? (2) Do surgical practice patterns differ based on surgeon characteristics, practice setting, and other factors? (3) What is the rationale behind these surgical practice patterns? (4) What postoperative approaches do surgeons use for intertrochanteric fractures? METHODS: A web-based survey containing 20 questions was distributed to active members of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Three thousand seven-hundred eighty-six of 10,321 invited surgeons participated in the survey (37%), with a 97% completion rate (3687 of 3784 responded to all questions in the survey). The survey elicited information regarding surgeon demographics, preferred management strategies, and decision-making rationale for intertrochanteric fractures. RESULTS: Surgeons use cephalomedullary nails most frequently for treatment of intertrochanteric hip fractures. Sixty-eight percent primarily use cephalomedullary nails, whereas only 19% primarily use sliding hip screws, and the remaining 13% use cephalomedullary nails and sliding hip screws with equal frequency. The cephalomedullary nail was the dominant approach regardless of experience level or practice setting. Surgeons who practiced in a nonacademic setting (71% versus 58%; p < 0.001), did not supervise residents (71% versus 61%; p < 0.001), or treated more than five intertrochanteric fractures a month (78% versus 67%; p < 0.001) were more likely to use primarily cephalomedullary nails. Of the surgeons who used only cephalomedullary nails, ease of surgical technique (58%) was cited as the primary reason, whereas surgeons who used only sliding hip screws cite familiarity (44%) and improved outcomes (37%) as their primary reasons. Of those who use only short cephalomedullary nails, ease of technique (59%) was most frequently cited. Postoperatively, 67% allow the patient to bear weight as tolerated. Nearly all respondents (99.5%) use postoperative chemical thromboprophylaxis. CONCLUSIONS: Despite that either sliding hip screw or cephalomedullary nail fixation are associated with equivalent outcomes for most intertrochanteric femur fractures, the cephalomedullary nail has emerged as the preferred construct, with the majority of surgeons believing that a cephalomedullary nail is easier to use, associated with improved outcomes, or is biomechanically superior to a sliding hip screw. The difference between what is evidence-based and what is done in clinical practice may be attributed to several factors, including financial considerations, educational experience, or inability of our current outcomes measures to reflect the experiences of surgeons. The educators, researchers, and policymakers among us must work harder to better define the roles of sliding hip screws and cephalomedullary nails and ensure that the increasing population with hip fractures receives high-quality and economically responsible care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, therapeutic study.

Use of screw locking elements improves radiological and biomechanical results of femoral osteotomies.

BACKGROUND: Dynamic compression plate (DCP) constructs provide inadequate fixation in cases of poor bone quality and early weight-bearing. Screw locking elements (SLE) are flat locking nuts placed at the end of the screw to prevent screw stripping from the bone, improving fixation stability. The purpose of this work was to compare biomechanical and radiological evaluations of femoral ovine osteotomies fixed using DCP constructs with and without SLE. METHOD: A dyaphyseal femoral osteotomy was performed in sixteen adult sheep and fixed with a DCP and cortical screws. Half of the animals were operated on with a SLE on each side of the osteotomy and the rest without the addition of SLE. Four animals of each group were euthanized after 8 weeks, and the remaining after 16 weeks. Both femora of each animal were radiographed and mechanically tested in torsion. RESULTS: Radiologically femoral malalignment or screw loosening was observed in six out of the eight animals operated on without SLE. In contrast, all animals subjected to the operation with SLE showed complete radiological consolidation of the osteotomy. Seven of these eight animals showed normal femoral alignment and no osteosynthesis failure. Stiffness of the bones fixed with SLE was among 145% and 177% the value of their contralateral non-operated femurs (all animals of this group showed greater stiffness on the operated bone than its contralateral non-operated femur). However, stiffness of the bones operated on without SLE was among 58% and 87% the value of the stiffness of their contralateral non-operated bone (all animals of this group showed greater stiffness on the non-operated bone than the osteotomized ones). CONCLUSIONS: Use of SLE avoided loosening of the system and stimulated stronger osteotomy consolidation. Clinical application of this improved system may thus be a feasible and cost-effective alternative to other more rigid and expensive bone fixation techniques.

Long-term result of posterolateral fusion of the lumbar spine using the Tadpole system.

BACKGROUND: Failure of pedicle screw fixation is often seen in patients with severe osteoporosis. We developed new lumbar spinal instrumentation (Tadpole system) for elderly patients who have osteoporotic bone and poor general health status. The objective of this study was to document the long-term clinical outcomes after Tadpole system fixation, the rate of spinal fusion, the incidence of adjacent segment degeneration, the rate of instrumentation failure, and the overall complications. METHODS: Sixty patients who underwent posterolateral spinal fusion using the Tadpole system, in whom a radiograph of the lumbar spine was taken at more than 5 years after operation, were involved in this study. The improvement rate of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, rate of spinal fusion, presence or absence of adjacent segment degeneration, rate of instrumentation failure, and postoperative complications of each patient were assessed at 5 years postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean JOA score improvement was 72.5%, and the posterolateral spinal fusion rate was 93.3% (56 of 60 patients) at the last follow-up. Adjacent segment degeneration occurred in only two patients who showed decreased intervertebral disc height, and instrumentation failure (hook deviation) was observed in one patient. No other complications were observed in any patients. CONCLUSION: Tadpole system fixation shows favorable long-term clinical outcomes.

Validez de la radiología simple con proyecciones especiales para detectar la protrusión de tornillos en el radio distal. Estudio comparativo con tomografía axial computarizada / Validity of modified radiological views to detect screw protrusion at the distal radius. A comparative study with computerized tomography

El tratamiento de las fracturas intraarticulares del radio distal mediante placas volares de ángulo fijo (PVAF) está ampliamente difundido en la actualidad. El uso de estas placas, debido a su peculiar configuración, conlleva un elevado riesgo de protrusión de los tornillos a nivel intraarticular y dorsal. El objetivo de nuestro trabajo es determinar la validez de las proyecciones radiológicas habituales, realizadas con la ayuda de soportes en forma de cuña, para detectar la protrusión de los tornillos a nivel intraarticular y dorsal, utilizando la tomografía axial computarizada (TAC) como prueba de referencia. En el estudio se presentan los resultados obtenidos en 26 pacientes tratados de una fractura articular de radio distal mediante una PVAF, modelo DVR®. Se ha observado una correlación satisfactoria entre los resultados de las radiografías con soportes cuando han sido comparadas con la TAC, con una sensibilidad del 100% para las protrusiones intraarticulares y del 66% para las protrusiones dorsales. Se recomienda la realización de estas proyecciones especiales de muñeca como una herramienta intraoperatoria útil para detectar la protrusión de los tornillos en las PVAF(AU)

Volar fixed-angle plates (VFAP) are currently widely used for the treatment of extra-articular distal radius fractures. Using these plates has a high risk of articular and dorsal screw protrusion due to their special configuration. The aim of this study is to assess the validity of the standard X -rays, performed with the help of wedged supports, in order to detect articular and dorsal screw protrusion. A comparison with computed tomography (CT) scan imaging has been made. The outcome of 26 patients with distal radius articular fracture, treated with a VFAP, is reported. Good correlation between modified X -rays and CT scan was observed. A sensitivity of 100% for articular protrusion and 66% for dorsal have been obtained. When detecting screw protrusion at the distal radius, the use of wedged supports to perform special X -rays intraoperatively is an effective tool(AU)