[Supracondylar fracture of the humerus in childhood]

INTRODUCTION

Supracondylar fracture of the humerus can be considered the most serious fracture in childhood. Problems with its diagnostics and treatment as well as its complications and sequels have not been fully solved yet. That is evidenced by a large amount of articles with frequently inconsistent conclusions. The aim is to evaluate contemporary diagnostic and therapeutic approach based on our own clinical experience.

METHODS

A total of 2847 children with skeletal injury were treated by the authors during the year 2016. Two hundred and seventy-five of them suffered from supracondylar fracture of the humerus (9.66%). All the fractures were classified using the authors own scheme. Fragment displacement was evaluated according to a three-degree scale.

RESULTS

Ninety-three of 275 supracondylar fractures were treated non-operatively (33.8%) and 182 by surgery (66.2%). Closed reduction and percutaneous pinning by K-wires under X-ray (C-arm) control was the method of choice. Crossed K-wires were used in 90% and in 9.9% two K-wires were inserted laterally only. In 70.9%, pins were buried and in 29.1 % unburied pins were used. Neurological lesions were noted in 13.5%. A total of 82.9% of children were healed without any sequels.

CONCLUSION

Supracondylar fracture of the humerus in children should be managed in pediatric trauma centers, especially in more complicated cases. Fracture classification needs to be more detailed than those commonly used so far. Closed reduction and percutaneous pinning is the method of choice. Acute neurological and/or vascular complications can be managed in an overwhelming majority of cases, after fragment fixation, non-surgically.Key words: supracondylar fracture humerus, miniinvasive osteosynthesis neural lesion compartment syndrome.

[Retrospective analysis of monochorionic twin pregnancies born in the Institute for the Care of Mother and Child between 2012-2015]

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to describe monochorionic twin pregnancies and their complications, born between 24th and 37th week of gestation in the Institute for the Care of Mother and Child in years 2012-2015.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort.

SETTING

The Institute for the Care of Mother and Child, Praha.

METHODS

From 2012 to 2015 we observed 177 monochorionic twin pregnancies from which two or one viable fetuses were born, or both fetuses died in utero.

RESULTS

From a total of 177 women, 12 (6.8%) gave birth before 26th week of gestation, between 26+0 - 27+6 four women (2.3%) gave birth, 37 women (20.9%) between 28+0 - 31+6, 84 women (47.8%) between 32+0 - 35+6 and after 36th week of gestation 40 women (22.6%) gave birth. Mean week of delivery was 33.8. Indications for termination of pregnancies were premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) in 11.9%, onset of spontaneus uterine contractions in 12.4% and in 53.3% other iatrogenic indication. 23.3% of pregnancies in our cohort were uncomplicated and terminated after 36th week of gestation. We performed caesarean section in 94.3%, in 5.7% patients gave birth vaginally. In vitro fertilization had 19.9% women, 80.1% conceived spontaneously. The age range of pregnant women in our cohort was 20-43, with median 32.3. Mean weight of bigger fetus was 2047.6 g (min. 520 g, max. 3530 g), mean weight of smaller fetus was 1799.5 g (min. 350 g, max. 2790 g). In 30 cases (16. 9%) we performed intrauterine intervetion. In 21/30 cases (11.9%) for TTTS diagnose, in 5/30 cases (2.8%) for congenital abnormalities or TRAP sequence and in 4/30 cases (2.2%) for sIUGR type III. The most frequent complication in our cohort was sIUGR (36 patients - 20.3%), TTTS (21 patients - 11.9%) and on the third place congenital abnormality or TRAP sequence (five patients - 2.8%) Nineteen patients gave birth to one viable fetus, in two cases both fetuses died in utero. In one case, in twin pair, one new-born died shortly after the birth - it had several congenital abnormalities and due to anhydramnion it was impossible to perform amnioinfusion and umbilical cord occlusion. After the birth it was given palliative care.

CONCLUSION

The study brought data about specific risks in monochorionic twin pregnancies and suggests careful observation of women in fixed intervals and necessity of immediate referral to perinatal centre in case of any suspicious or pathological finding.

An Alteration of Lymphocytes Subpopulations and Immunoglobulins Levels in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers Infected Particularly by Resistant Pathogens

The aim of our study was to analyse immune abnormalities in patients with chronic infected diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) especially those infected by resistant microorganisms. Methods. 68 patients treated in our foot clinic for infected chronic DFUs with 34 matched diabetic controls were studied. Patients with infected DFUs were subdivided into two subgroups according to the antibiotic sensitivity of causal pathogen: subgroup S infected by sensitive (n = 50) and subgroup R by resistant pathogens (n = 18). Selected immunological markers were compared between the study groups and subgroups. Results. Patients with infected chronic DFUs had, in comparison with diabetic controls, significantly reduced percentages (p < 0.01) and total numbers of lymphocytes (p < 0.001) involving B lymphocytes (p < 0.01), CD4+ (p < 0.01), and CD8+ T cells (p < 0.01) and their naive and memory effector cells. Higher levels of IgG (p < 0.05) including IgG1 (p < 0.001) and IgG3 (p < 0.05) were found in patients with DFUs compared to diabetic controls. Serum levels of immunoglobulin subclasses IgG2 and IgG3 correlated negatively with metabolic control (p < 0.05). A trend towards an increased frequency of IgG2 deficiency was found in patients with DFUs compared to diabetic controls (22% versus 15%; NS). Subgroup R revealed lower levels of immunoglobulins, especially of IgG4 (p < 0.01) in contrast to patients infected by sensitive bacteria. The innate immunity did not differ significantly between the study groups. Conclusion. Our study showed changes mainly in the adaptive immune system represented by low levels of lymphocyte subpopulations and their memory effector cells, and also changes in humoral immunity in patients with DFUs, even those infected by resistant pathogens, in comparison with diabetic controls.