Open reduction internal fixation of displaced sacral fractures: technique and results

Pelvic ring disruption with an associated sacral fracture is typically a result of high-energy injury. Due to significant local soft tissue trauma and the complex neurovascular anatomy in the region, exposure and reduction of sacral fractures has proven to be difficult, hazardous, and fraught with complications. We describe a modified reduction technique to address displacement in sacral fractures to show that it can be safe and effective through evaluation of radiographic, clinical, and functional outcomes. We retrospectively reviewed the radiographic and clinical results of consecutive patients treated at a single institution by the senior surgeon (K.F.D.) with open reduction for displaced sacral fractures. Radiographic follow-up was available on all patients. Complete clinical follow-up was available on 19 of 20 patients. The average duration of follow-up was 3.7 years. All fractures united with no additional surgery. There were no infections or additional neurologic deficits or vascular injuries. There was 1 asymptomatic hardware failure 2 years postoperatively with no further displacement. Average preoperative displacement on the anteroposterior (AP) radiograph was 14.72 mm with a long-term follow-up displacement of 3.25 mm. Iowa Pelvic Score questionnaires demonstrated an average score of 92.2. Eighty-nine percent of patients returned to full time work or their previous activity level. The technique of open reduction and fixation of displaced sacral fractures described in this review is safe and effective with a low complication rate and clinical results comparable to or exceeding that of previously published series.

The surgical treatment of acetabular fractures

The goals of treating an acetabular fracture are to restore the congruity and stability of the hip joint. Some fracture types may not require surgery for a satisfactory outcome, but a displaced fracture in the weight-bearing area of the acetabulum generally should be treated with open reduction and internal fixation. The surgery is complex and demanding, and the fracture reduction must be anatomic to obtain the best result. There is no doubt, however, that an experienced surgeon can achieve an excellent result. Usually a poor result is related to residual fracture displacement or a perioperative complication. The evaluation and treatment protocols initially developed by Letournel and Judet continue to be important; in addition, the surgeon should be aware of the progress made during the past decade.

Effect of porosity on the fluid flow characteristics and mechanical properties of tantalum scaffolds

In many cases of traumatic bone injury, bone grafting is required. The primary source of graft material is either autograft or allograft. The use of both material sources are well established, however, both suffer limitations. In response, many grafting alternatives are being explored. This article specifically focuses on a porous tantalum metal grafting material (Trabecular Metaltrade mark) marketed by Zimmer. Twenty-one cylindrical scaffolds were manufactured (66% to 88% porous) and tested for porosity, intrinsic permeability, tangent elastic modulus, and for yield stress and strain behavior. Scaffold microstructural geometries were also measured. Tantalum scaffold intrinsic permeability ranged from 2.1 x 10(-10) to 4.8 x 10(-10) m(2) and tangent elastic modulus ranged from 373 MPa to 2.2 GPa. Both intrinsic permeability and tangent elastic modulus closely matched porosity-matched cancellous bone specimens from a variety of species and anatomic locations. Scaffold yield stress ranged from 4 to 12.7 MPa and was comparable to bovine and human cancellous bone. Yield strain was unaffected by scaffold porosity (average = 0.010 mm/mm). Understanding these structure-function relationships will help complete the basic physical characterization of this new material and will aid in the development of realistic mathematical models, ultimately enhancing future implant designs utilizing this material.

Noninvasive measurement of compartment syndrome

This study compared the effectiveness of a commercially available invasive intracompartmental pressure measuring device with an investigational noninvasive hardness measuring device in 75 patients undergoing examination for possible compartment syndrome. Legs, forearms, thighs, and arms were tested. Pressure values and hardness ratios were compared to one another as continuous variables and to the clinical diagnosis of compartment syndrome as discrete variables. The compartment with the highest pressure reading within a limb diagnosed with compartment syndrome was compared to limbs without compartment syndrome. Due to the low specificity of the noninvasive measurement of hardness compared to the invasive pressure measurement (0.82 versus 0.96), this study does not support the use of the hardness monitor in the diagnosis of compartment syndrome.

Nonunion of femoral neck fracture and trochanteric osteotomy after a pinned, slipped capital femoral epiphysis: a case report

Femoral neck fracture as a complication of slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is rare. Even rarer is a femoral neck nonunion as an additional complication. This is the first case reported in the literature of a failed valgus osteotomy for a femoral neck nonunion. A salvage operation involving a step-cut valgus/flexion/internal rotation osteotomy, open reduction and internal fixation, with a blade plate and cannulated screw, placement of an allograft femoral strut, and allograft bone grafting was successfully performed. Femoral neck fractures following SCFE fixation are more difficult to treat because of abnormal femoral neck configuration. Therefore a valgus, flexion, and internal rotation producing osteotomy may need to be initially performed to prevent a femoral neck nonunion.

The use of BoneSource hydroxyapatite cement for traumatic metaphyseal bone void filling

OBJECTIVE

This prospective, randomized study was performed to determine whether a new, in situ setting hydroxyapatite cement is as safe or effective as autologous cancellous bone graft for the treatment of metaphyseal bone voids secondary to trauma. This was a multicenter study including Level I trauma centers and university hospitals. Thirty-eight patients who sustained an acute closed or open type I fracture of the humerus, radius, ulna, femur, tibia, or calcaneus and had a traumatic bone void requiring grafting of the metaphyseal or cancellous bone area were enrolled. Open reduction and internal fixation of the fracture was performed with use of either autologous cancellous bone or BoneSource hydroxyapatite cement to fill traumatic metaphyseal voids. Main outcome measures included maintenance of reduction, fracture healing, pain at defect site, pain at donor site, and clinical function of the limb.

RESULTS

Patients treated with BoneSource had an 83% success rate in maintaining reduction, whereas patients treated with autograft had a 67% success rate. A successful clinical outcome, as measured by a healed fracture with minimal to no pain, moderate to maximum function, and no or minor donor site complications, was seen in 69% of patients treated with BoneSource and 57% of patients treated with autograft. In patients with at least 1 year of follow-up, the overall success rate was 79% in the BoneSource group and 70% in the autograft group.

CONCLUSION

BoneSource is safe and effective when used to fill traumatic metaphyseal bone voids. It is at least as good as autograft for treatment of these defects.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the knee after ipsilateral femur fracture

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to identify and characterize the nature of internal knee derangement associated with ipsilateral femur fractures.

DESIGN

A prospective consecutive investigation with the musculoskeletal radiologist being blinded to the clinical examination.

SETTING

A certified Level I trauma center.

PATIENTS

All adult (skeletally mature) patients with femur fractures resulting from blunt traumatic injury were included. Patients with penetrating, periprosthetic, pathologic, or previous femur fractures were excluded. In addition, all patients with previous knee injuries or previous knee surgery were excluded. Of the fifty-one patients with diaphyseal femur fractures originally enrolled in this investigation, fifteen were excluded by protocol and eleven were unable to obtain timely MRI studies.

INTERVENTIONS

All patients were evaluated initially according to Advanced Trauma Life Support protocol. When appropriate, skeletal traction was used as provisional fracture stabilization. In most cases, however, operative fixation was performed immediately. In one case open reduction internal fixation was performed. In the remainder, fracture fixation with an anterograde ( = nineteen) or retrograde ( = seven) intramedullary nail was used.

OUTCOME MEASURE

After surgical fixation, twenty-five patients with twenty-seven knees were examined clinically and with an MRI.

RESULTS

Five anterior cruciate ligament and two posterior cruciate ligament injuries were discovered (19 percent and 7 percent, respectively). Four complete (Grade 3) medial meniscus tears (15 percent) and seven complete lateral meniscus tears (26 percent) were identified by postoperative MRI studies. The medial collateral ligament was injured in eleven knees (41 percent), with five (19 percent) identified as complete (Grade 3) injuries. The lateral collateral ligament was also injured in eight knees (30 percent); in half (15 percent) the injury was complete. Bone contusions (periarticular infractions of cortical and medullary trabecular bone) were noted in eight (30 percent) tibia (equally divided between medial and lateral compartments) and in 17 (63 percent) femurs (also equally divided between medial and lateral condyles).

CONCLUSION

Given the large number of soft tissue injuries about the knee, it would be prudent to emphasize the importance of a thorough intraoperative examination once the femur fracture has been stabilized. Additionally, there should be a low threshold to obtain an MRI if the postoperative clinical examination suggests an associated knee injury. Bone bruises, which can only be identified by MRI studies, are increasingly being acknowledged as a source of persistent symptoms.

High energy plafond fractures treated by a spanning external fixator initially and followed by a second stage open reduction internal fixation of the articular surface--preliminary report

Early open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with plates and screws for plafond injuries caused by skiing initially reported by Ruedi and Allgower proved inadequate for the treatment of high-energy motor vehicle accident type injuries. The purpose of our study was to review our treatment protocol using a spanning external fixator placed semi-emergently medially across the joint and a later staged ORIF of just the articular surface to achieve and maintain anatomic reduction.

METHODS

We preformed a retrospective study of 35 patients with 37 highly comminuted severe (OTA 43-B3 and -C3 or Ruedi type II or III) tibial plafond fractures treated by a single surgeon. All patients were treated with an initial spanning unilateral external fixator and subsequent ORIF. Radiographs were examined for: classification, number of pieces of the tibial dome, evidence of ground-glass comminution (more than three pieces <2mm in size on CT), anatomic reduction, alignment, and presence/absence of arthritis.

RESULTS

Evidence of ground glass comminution existed in 26/37 patients (70%). Following ORIF, articular reduction was perfect (0-1mm displacement) in 29/36 (81%), imperfect (1-3mm) in 6/36 (17%) and poor (>3mm) in 1/36 (3%) cases. Joint alignment was anatomical in 35/37 (96%), with 15 degree anterior angulation in one patient and 5 degree valgus angulation in another patient. Radiographic arthritis was present in 10/36 patients (28%) at latest follow-up. Joint distraction at time of reduction was present in 27/37 patients (73%). A total of 25/37 patients (65%) had no post-operative complications, while 3/37 (8%) had a joint infection requiring one patient to have hardware removed. A total of 4/37 (11%) showed loss of reduction at latest follow-up. A total of 3/37 (8%) had a secondary arthrodesis; A total of 1 (3%) had a primary arthrodesis; 1 (3%) diabetic man had a below-knee amputation after a failed arthrodesis.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

We treat severe tibial plafond fractures with a spanning external fixator at the time of injury, wait between 10 and 21 days to allow for soft tissue healing, and then perform a limited ORIF of the articular surface with canulated screws. In a group of high-energy plafond fractures, we achieved 81% good to excellent results with this protocol. We conclude that use of a spanning external fixator with delayed ORIF compares favorably with the literature.

Open reduction internal fixation of a pelvic malunion through an anterior approach

Whereas the initial treatment of pelvic fractures and their long-term outcomes have been well researched, little has been written concerning the surgical management of late pelvic malunions and nonunions causing residual pain and deformity. The available literature describes osteotomies usually done in multiple stages. The authors report the case of a progressive lateral compression pelvic disability treated in a unique one-stage procedure. This one-stage anterior approach allowed excellent correction of the deformity. In cases in which the deformity is purely one of internal or external rotation or medial or lateral displacement with no vertical migration, the authors think it is possible to adequately mobilize the pelvis to an anatomic reduction in a single-stage anterior approach. In cases in which vertical migration of the hemipelvis causes symptoms, it is probably necessary to approach the patient posteriorly to safely mobilize and adequately reduce the hemipelvis. With these factors in mind, the authors think a one-stage anterior approach can be an effective treatment for appropriately selected pelvic malunions.

Unreamed rod with early wound closure for grade IIIA and IIIB open tibial fractures: analysis of 40 consecutive patients

This study evaluated 40 patients with grades IIIA and IIIB open tibial fractures from July 1987 to September 1990. Aggressive debridement of all dead tissue and bone, irrigation with > 9 L of fluid, and emergent intramedullary unreamed rodding (mean time from the emergency room to the operating room: 4 hours 20 minutes) was performed in all patients. Surgical debridement was repeated every 48 to 72 hours until the wound could be successfully closed (mean time: 6.2 days). Progressive weight bearing in a short leg cast was allowed depending on the fracture configuration, with full weight bearing usually beginning at 6 weeks. Additional autogenous iliac crest bone grafting was performed at 2 to 4 months if required. There were 14 grade IIIA and 26 grade IIIB open tibial fractures. Thirty-nine of the 40 patients underwent follow-up until union was obtained both clinically and radiographically. One patient was lost to follow-up. Complications included three soft-tissue infections and two late subflap abscesses. There was no evidence of osteomyelitis in any of these cases. Aggressive debridement and early wound closure appear to be the key in the successful use of unreamed interlocking intrameduallary rods for fixation of open tibial fractures.

Surgical treatment of pelvic nonunions and malunions

From 1984 to 1995, 37 patients with nonunion, malunion, and combined nonunion malunion of the pelvic ring were treated. Included among the patients were many different initial injury patterns and subsequent variable combinations of malunion and malpositioned nonunion. The typical surgical repair was performed in multiple stages and often created uniquely to solve a patient's particular problem. Thirty-two of 37 patients were satisfied with their outcome, although 19% of the patients suffered complications.

The importance of the blood supply in the healing of tibial fractures

A clinical study of the effects of nonischemic arterial injuries to the leg on tibial fracture healing is presented. In addition, the literature published during the past 100 years describing the vascular supply to the tibia is reviewed, and the San Francisco General Hospital treatment protocol for difficult open tibial fractures is outlined. Based on the finding that the delayed and nonunion rate is three times higher when one of the three arteries of the leg is disrupted, a modification of the Gustilo fracture classification is proposed.

Hydrogen peroxide exposure--325 exposures reported to a regional poison control center

Isolated case reports have documented that hydrogen peroxide exposure can be associated with serious toxicity by various routes of exposure. The purpose of this study was to better delineate the epidemiology, medical outcome, and potential health hazards of hydrogen peroxide exposures to the general public. We performed a retrospective review of all exposures reported to a regional poison center over a 36 month period and found that of 95,052 exposures reported, 325 (.34%) were due to hydrogen peroxide. The pediatric population (< 18 years) accounted for 71% of hydrogen peroxide exposures and ingestion was the most common route of exposure (83%). Nausea and vomiting were the most common symptoms secondary to ingestion. Ocular and dermal exposures to dilute solutions resulted in transient symptoms without permanent sequelae. While most exposures by all routes resulted in a benign outcome (no effect or minor effect), there was a trend toward more severe outcomes in those who ingested a concentration greater than 10% (p = 0.011).

Injuries to the talus-neck fractures and osteochondral lesions (osteochondritis dissecans)

The authors discuss pathology to the talus, as determined radiographically. They review pertinent anatomy, including blood supply to this bone. Fractures are categorized, with a review of clinical management.