Results of combining intramedullary nailing and plate fixation for treating segmental femoral fractures

Clinical efficacy and complications of blocking screw in the treatment of lower limb long bone fracture: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Blocking screw technique has been widely applied in the treatment of long shaft fractures. However, the evidence with regard to whether intramedullary nail combined with blocking screw technique has better clinical efficacy over other is not clear. The aim of the study was to explore the clinical efficacy and complications of intramedullary nail combined with blocking screw technique in the treatment of femoral or tibial shaft fractures.

METHODS

The PuMed, Embase, OVID, Cochrane library, Web of Science, Wanfang, CNKI and Weipu data were searched for studies of intramedullary nail combined with blocking screw in treatment of femoral or tibial shaft fracture published up to Aug 31 2023. Methodological quality of the trials was assessed, relevant data were extracted, and RevMan 5.3 and Stata 15.0 software were used to perform the meta-analysis of parameters related to the consequences.

RESULT

Twenty articles were included, including 1267 patients. Meta-analysis results showed that compared with the non-blocking screw group, the blocking screw group had longer operation time (WMD = 13.24; 95% CI = 5.68-20.79, P = .0006) and more intraoperative fluoroscopy times (WMD = 57.62; 95% CI = 25.82-89.42, P = .0002). However, the postoperative therapeutic response rate was higher (OR = 5.60; 95% CI = 2.10-14.93, P = .0006), postoperative ankle joint function was better (OR = 3.48; 95% CI = 1.20-10.13, P = .02), and fracture healing rate was higher (OR = 3.56; 95% CI = 1.43-8.89, P = .006), fracture healing time was shorter (WMD = -3.59; 95% CI = -4.96 to -2.22, P < .00001), intraoperative blood loss was less (WMD = -54.80; 95% CI = -88.77 to -20.83, P = .002), hospitalization time was shorter (WMD = -1.66; 95% CI = -2.08 to -1.24, P < .00001), and complications were less (OR = 0.38; 95% CI = 0.16-0.89, P = .01). There was no statistical significance in the range of motion of knee joint between the 2 groups (WMD = 10.04; 95% CI = -1.51 to 21.59, P = .09).

CONCLUSIONS

Current evidence shows that intramedullary nail combined with blocking screw technique in the treatment of lower limb long bone fracture has the advantages of good clinical efficacy, high fracture healing rate, short fracture healing time, good joint function, less complications and so on, which is worthy of clinical recommendation.

Segmental femoral fracture malunion: evidence and prognostic analysis of medical intervention in the third century BC

We examined the remains of an individual who was unearthed from the Tuchengzi site and was believed to be from the Warring States period in China. The remains exhibited segmental femoral fracture. We aimed to deduce the cause of fracture, medical interventions, healing process, and motion behavior after fracture healing using several techniques, including macroscopic observation, computed tomography (CT), and finite element analysis. Based on the morphology of the long bones, it appeared that the individual was male. The fractures resulted in an adduction angle of 5.47° and an anterior flexion angle of 21.34° in the proximal femur, while the femoral neck anteversion angle had been replaced by a retroversion angle of 10.74°. Additionally, the distal femur formed an abnormal anterior convex angle of 144.60°. CT revealed mature callus formation and visible trabecular bundles. The finite element analysis indicated that the maximum von Mises stress in the femur was 17.44 MPa during standing and 96.46 MPa during walking. We suggest that medical practitioners in the Warring States period possessed a good knowledge of thigh anatomy, enabling them to perform fracture reduction and fixation. Reasonable medical intervention facilitated fracture healing and load recovery. Satisfactory fracture healing ensured that the individual could engage in normal standing and walking activities after rehabilitation.

Comparison of clinical efficacy of suprapatellar and infrapatellar intramedullary nailing in treating tibial shaft fractures

Objectives:

To compare clinical efficacies of suprapatellar and infrapatellar intramedullary nailing approaches in treating tibial shaft fractures.

Methods:

Patients (n=110) admitted with tibial shaft fractures in our hospital from January 2017 to June 2020, who underwent procedures with internal fixation intramedullary nails, were retrospectively divided into suprapatellar and infrapatellar approach groups (n = 55 each) based on the surgical method used for fracture repair. The clinical and functional outcomes of the knee were assessed six months after the surgery

Results:

Six months after the operation, the pooled value for excellent and good efficacy rates in the suprapatellar approach group, as indicated by Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) Knee scoring system, was 90.91%, which was significantly higher than that in the infrapatellar approach group (76.36%). The degree of pain (visual analogue scale (VAS) score) of the patients in the suprapatellar approach group was over 2-fold lower than in the infrapatellar approach group (P < 0.001).The Lysholm knee score, range of motion (ROM), SF-36p, and SF-36M scores in the suprapatellar approach group were significantly higher than those in the infrapatellar approach group (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Suprapatellar approach had significantly higher clinical efficiency than infrapatellar approach, and can significantly reduce the degree of pain, promote the recovery of patients with knee joint involvement, improve the physical and psychological well-being, reduce the number of cases of postoperative delayed healing

Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis without floating segment fixation for segmental fracture of femur

Segmental fractures of the femur are technically difficult to manage by intramedullary nailing, the gold standard treatment. We specifically describe minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) without floating segment fixation for this particular fracture pattern. Twenty patients with segmental fractures of the femur were operated on by the MIPO technique. Data were collected on operative time, postoperative complications, union times, and clinical outcomes. The mean operative time was 63.5 minutes (range 50-90). There were no peri-operative complications. All fractures were united with a mean union time of 16.1 weeks (range 12-20). Regarding postoperative malalignment, limb shortening was demonstrated in 4 patients, valgus angulation in 2 and varus angulation in 3. One patient had a bent plate with 7°varus angulation. According to the Thoresen score, 13 were determined to be excellent values, 6 to be good and 1 to be fair. MIPO without floating segment fixation is a safe and effective alternative for segmental fractures of the femur especially in circumstances that are unsuitable or unfeasible for intramedullary nailing.

Severe osteolysis and periprosthetic femoral fracture 45 years after acrylic hemiarthroplasty of the hip: a case report

BACKGROUND

Hip arthroplasty using acrylic prosthesis was once conducted; however, it has now been abandoned because of early breakages and wear of material. Therefore, complications or revision surgeries due to the use of acrylic prostheses are becoming rare.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 76-year-old woman presented with a sudden onset of severe pain in her left femur while walking. Radiographs revealed severe osteolysis and periprosthetic femoral fracture 45 years after the initial hemiarthroplasty using an acrylic prosthesis. We performed a Girdlestone resection arthroplasty by removing the prosthesis and fixing the fracture site using an intramedullary nail and metal plate. The patient was pain-free in her hip and leg 2 years and 9 months after the surgery. Although she walked with a cane or crutches, no postoperative complications were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The combined use of an intramedullary nail and plate fixation with resection arthroplasty could offer acceptable results for patients with severe osteolysis and periprosthetic fracture after femoral head replacement using an acrylic prosthesis. Our report seems relevant because it not only reminds us of the significant steps made in the development of modern total hip arthroplasty; it also highlights one of the surgical options for severe osteolysis and periprosthetic fracture of the hip.