[Traumatic etiology of Kienboeck's disease. (Perilunate subluxations and semilunate necrosis)]

The authors have studied the incidence of lunate necrosis in 110 perilunate dislocations. Twenty-one cases (19%) developed a necrosis. The classification into three types, according to the amount of damage to the perilunar ligaments, is of prognostic value. There is no risk of necrosis in type 1, 17% in type II, and 50% in type III. An associated fracture of the scaphoid does not modify the risk. In neglected lesions, reduction of the lunate dislocation should be attempted, even at a late date, the risk of necrosis then being 50%. Surgical reduction increases the risk of secondary necrosis to a greater extent than does orthopedic treatment, but it is generally use in the most complex cases too. The authors advocate a closed reduction with percutaneous pin fixation.

[Treatment of aseptic acetabular loosening by reconstruction combining bone graft and Müller ring. Actuarial analysis over 11 years]

INTRODUCTION

One reason for the limited longevity of total hip replacement is the progressive bone loss resulting from iterative loosenings of acetabular components. In the early 80's was developed an experience at our institution for revision surgery of aseptically failed cemented acetabular components using a Müller ring. At that time, this device was used in combination with structural grafts. This appeared to us to be the safest method to address severe acetabular destructions. We are now able to report long term results.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We carried out a retrospective study on 81 cemented acetabular revision arthroplasties performed at our institution between 1981 and 1991. In all cases, there was a segmental or an important cavitary roof defect. Reconstruction of the acetabulum was performed using a superior structural bone graft combined with a Müller ring. Results are given with a mean follow up of 8 years (5-14 years), except in the survivor analysis, in which all patients were included.

RESULTS

There was 15 iterative aseptic loosenings of the acetabular component (in which 5 repeated revisions). Using iterative aseptic loosening of the acetabular component revised or not as an end point, the 10 year cumulative survival rate (CSR) was 0.72 +/- 0.14 and the 11 year CSR was 0.55 +/- 0.24. The position of the hip biomechanical center, the polyethylene thickness, or the type of the superior defect (segmental or cavitary) were not found to influence significantly roentgenographic results.

DISCUSSION

Reconstruction of severely destroyed acetabuli using this method gave satisfactory results within the first decade. However, the hip function could not be reliably maintained over 10 years. Mechanical failures were related to resorption of weight bearing structural bone grafts. Aseptic iterative loosenings are often moderately symptomatic and yearly roentgenographic controls are necessary to detect late migrations. The lack of long term follow up may result in major bone loss, which can impair the conditions of iterative acetabular reconstructions.

[Surgical treatment of radiation-induced lesions of the hip in adults]

The authors report their experience in the surgical management of lesions of the adult hip following radiotherapy. The diagnosis of a hip problem occurring after pelvic radiotherapy for malignant tumors is made by clinical and radiological examination. The problems include femoral head necrosis, necrosis and/or fracture of the acetabulum, or involvement of the entire hip joint (radiation coxopathy). Fractures of the femoral neck have been described in the literature, but are now very rare following the routine use of external shields as protection during irradiation. Post-irradiation lesions are often bilateral 21%. They appear after a variable latency period of two to twenty years and they progress remorselessly. A diagnosis of simple radio necrosis can only be made after using radio isotope bone scanning, MRI or CT to exclude malignant disease as acetabular metastasis, and radio-induced sarcomas. Hemiarthroplasty is often followed by collapse of the acetabulum and should no longer be used. The treatment generally practised nowadays is a Total Hip Replacement (THR). We report a retrospective study of 71 hips in 56 patients treated, between 1970 and 1982, by the use of conventional cemented components. In 49 hips this was followed by a 52% incidence of acetabular loosening resulting from the poor quality of the irradiated bone which had become necrotic and porotic. Between 1983 and 1990, we modified the technique by regularly using reinforcing the acetabulum with a metallic ring fixed by long screws, (as used in revision surgery for THR). Bone grafts were also used in 9 cases. We had a 12% incidence of loosening in 22 hips with a mean follow-up of 40 months. There were also two post-operative infection which need removal of the prostheses. This emphasizes the risk of infection in this type of surgery and is probably increased by the associated lesions of the soft tissues (lymphoedema, radiodermitis). The authors wish to stress the poor prognosis of radiation lesions of the hip which often occur in patients who have otherwise recovered from their pelvic tumour. These radiation lesions have to be recognised and treated in a specific way. Our experience and the reports in the literature suggest that the generally used conventional THR gives uncertain results, and therefore we propose a THR employing metallic reinforcement of the acetabulum with or without any necessary bone grafts. It is vital to warn the patients that the results may not be as excellent as with THR for other types of hip disorders. When there is severe destruction of the acetabulum the choice between a THR combined with massive bone allograft, and a Girdlestone hip resection must be very carefully discussed with the patient. This latter "salvage" procedure may in any case become necessary if there are local and otherwise unmanageable problems.

Total hip replacement in irradiated hips. A retrospective study of 71 cases

We retrospectively reviewed 56 patients (71 hips) treated by total replacement for severe disability after pelvic irradiation. Symptoms were associated with various radiological lesions due to irradiation, including atraumatic femoral-neck fracture, osteonecrosis of the femoral head or of the acetabulum, and radiation osteitis of the whole pelvis. From 1970 to 1982 we used standard cemented components in 49 hips and had a high rate of acetabular loosening (52%) at a mean follow-up of 69 months. This was probably due to the mechanical insufficiency of irradiated periacetabular bone. From 1983 to 1990 we routinely used acetabular reinforcement rings. The rate of aseptic acetabular loosening in 22 hips at a mean follow-up of 40 months was 19%, but there were two septic loosenings emphasising the risk of infection in these patients. When total replacement is required for an irradiated hip, we recommend reinforcement of the acetabulum using a metallic ring, but there is still an increased risk of infection and in difficult cases such as severe acetabular destruction or soft-tissue or vascular injuries, a Girdlestone procedure may be indicated.

Total hip replacement in irradiated hips. A retrospective study of 71 cases

We retrospectively reviewed 56 patients (71 hips) treated by total replacement for severe disability after pelvic irradiation. Symptoms were associated with various radiological lesions due to irradiation, including atraumatic femoral-neck fracture, osteonecrosis of the femoral head or of the acetabulum, and radiation osteitis of the whole pelvis. From 1970 to 1982 we used standard cemented components in 49 hips and had a high rate of acetabular loosening (52%) at a mean follow-up of 69 months. This was probably due to the mechanical insufficiency of irradiated periacetabular bone. From 1983 to 1990 we routinely used acetabular reinforcement rings. The rate of aseptic acetabular loosening in 22 hips at a mean follow-up of 40 months was 19%, but there were two septic loosenings emphasising the risk of infection in these patients. When total replacement is required for an irradiated hip, we recommend reinforcement of the acetabulum using a metallic ring, but there is still an increased risk of infection and in difficult cases such as severe acetabular destruction or soft-tissue or vascular injuries, a Girdlestone procedure may be indicated.

[Autoclaved tumoral autografts. Apropos of 12 cases, 6 of which highly malignant]

Twelve patients presenting with a bone tumor were operated on using autoclaved bone autografts for reconstruction following carcinologic resection. According to the Enneking grading system, 6 were high malignancy tumors (3 osteosarcomas and 3 grade 2 chondrosarcomas), 4 were low grade tumors (1 paraosteal sarcoma, 1 chondrosarcoma, 1 secondary chondrosarcoma, 1 liposarcoma). One was a metastasis from a kidney tumor. The last patient had a femoral osteoid osteoma. Six local recurrences were responsible for 4 reoperations: 2 disarticulations and 2 iterative resections. With a 1-6 years range of follow-up (average follow-up 2.5 years), osseointegration of autoclaved grafts was studied. Fusion at the host/graft junction was roentgenographically observed. In three cases, proximal resorption of the humeral graft occurred. Five biopsies were obtained during reoperation after 1 year, which showed partial revascularization of autoclaved bone autografts. The authors conclude that autoclaved tumoral bone grafts, are reliable and discuss indications. They point out the main contraindication, represented by chemosensitive bone tumors, in which conservation of the removed tumor is necessary to quantify the response to chemotherapy.

Results of 203 total hip replacements using a smooth, cementless femoral component

We implanted 203 smooth-stemmed femoral components before January 1988. The femoral component used was anatomically shaped, fluted and made of titanium. Thirty-two hips were revised due to mid-thigh pain, and the femoral implant was found to be loose in all. In the 157 patients with a two-year follow-up, the Merle d'Aubigné and pain scores for completely cementless arthroplasties were similar to those for hybrid prostheses (cemented acetabular cup and cementless femoral stem). Of the 145 cases with two-year radiographic follow-up, 59 had extensive radiolucencies and 22 were unstable. The five-year cumulative survival rate was 77%. Implantation of this stem should be restricted to patients in whom cement fixation is contra-indicated.

Cementless fixation of hip prostheses in dogs

Fixation of smooth cementless femoral prostheses was studied in 16 dogs which were killed 2, 3 and 4 months after operation. Rotational stability, examined by hand, was good in 9 cases and all stable prostheses could be extracted. Five out of 6 dogs, who did not bear weight after the operation, had a stable prosthesis compared with 4 out of 10 who walked early. Histology showed close bone apposition in 4, tight fibrous encapsulation in 4 and lack of tissue apposition in 8 which were loose. Bone remodelling in radiographs reflected the histological appearances; narrow radiolucent spaces were associated with dense well organised fibrous tissue, and wide radiolucent spaces with loose connective tissue. Prostheses with stems which fill the femoral canal should improve the fixation of smooth cementless prostheses.

Monocyte procoagulant activity and membrane-associated D dimer after knee replacement surgery

We have recently shown that monocyte membrane-associated cross-linked fibrin derivatives (D dimer) can be evidenced by immunogold staining. Using this method, the procoagulant activity (PCA) expressed in vitro by endotoxin-stimulated monocytes has been found to correlate significantly with the number of D dimer-positive monocytes. The incidence of postoperative thrombosis in patients undergoing total knee replacement has been reported by Stulberg et al to be 57%. Since monocytes can play a role, via increased PCA, in the activation of intravascular coagulation, we sought to determine the level of monocyte PCA ex vivo after knee replacement surgery and its possible correlation with the number of D dimer-positive monocytes. Finally, we examined the possible link between these modifications and the occurrence of postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The PCA expressed by monocytes with or without suboptimal stimulation, the number of D dimer-positive monocytes and the plasma level of D dimer were measured pre- and post-operatively in 11 patients undergoing total knee replacement. Phlebography was performed on day 10 after surgery. A significant increase in the PCA of stimulated monocytes was observed on day 10 after surgery. Moreover, both the number of D dimer-positive monocytes and the plasma level of D dimer increased significantly post-operatively. The number of D dimer-positive monocytes correlated with both monocyte PCA and the plasma D dimer level. The relation between these parameters is discussed. However, neither monocyte PCA nor the number of D dimer-positive monocytes was found to correlate with the occurrence of deep vein thrombosis.

[Bone diffusion of cefotiam in men]

A 2g single dose of cefotiam was given by rapid intravenous injection to 17 patients undergoing total hip replacement as a prophylaxis. The concentrations of the antibiotic in plasma and femoral head (cancellous bone, cortical bone and capsule) were measured at different time (40 to 250 minutes) following the injection of the drug. Evaluation was done by liquid chromatography. Mean antibiotic concentrations were 70.5 micrograms/ml, 41.4 micrograms/g, 16.9 micrograms/g and 8.1 micrograms/g respectively in plasma, capsule, cancellous and cortical bones. 240 minutes following the injection, mean concentrations of cefotiam were higher than 2.3 micrograms/ml in plasma and 1.8 micrograms/g in bone. Diffusion in cancellous bone is twofold high as in cortical bone and elimination half lif is higher in bone than in plasma (248.8 minutes versus 59.6 minutes in plasma). These results suggest that a 2g intravenous bolus injection of cefotiam given at the induction of anaesthesia should provide an effective prophylaxis during total hip replacement.

[Results of the surgical treatment of fractures of the tibial plateau (apropos of 110 cases)]

Operation was carried out on 110 fractures of the tibial plateau. Fractures of a single condyle were the most common. Associated ligamentous injury was present in 12.7% of the patients and a meniscal lesion was seen in 15.5%. The meniscus was preserved if possible. Satisfactory results were obtained in 79% of cases, with good correlation between the clinical result and the radiological appearance at review. The late complications and technical difficulties are discussed and the difference in prognosis between simple and complex fractures is emphasised.

[Preliminary results of arthroplasty of the hip, using a pair of sealed double cups]

Arthroplasty of the hip with a pair of locked cupolas uses a metal cupola and a polyethylene cotyloid cupola. Ancillary instrumentation and 3 sets of protheses allow an acrylic fixation using a thin layer of cement. The authors report their experience with 75 surface replacement arthroplasties. The initial complications seem related to errors made in at the outset in drilling the femur, thereby compromising the solidity of the neck and the vascularization of the head. These results can be transposed upon the case of total conventional prothesis. The indications, which principally incluse centered coxarthrosis, have been widened to comprise necrosis limited to the femoral head, to rheumatoid polyarthritis, to ankyloses of the hip in a bad position, and to re-setting of non cemented cupolas. These encouraging results should be tempered by their short follow-up period (less than 2 years), and the present uncertainty as to the future performance of the lock joints and the wear of the polyethylene.

[Radiation lesions of the hip]

Irradiation lesions of the hip are much better known than they used to be, and problems diagnosis no longer arise. Study of these 49 cases of irradiation lesions of the hip shows that they occur in 1 to 36 per cent of patients irradiated for pelvic cancer. The rate of occurrence may be reduced by selection and improvement in the techniques of radiotherapy. The extent of the lesions is determined from the time that irradiation is stopped. The lesions appear after a delay of several months and develop progressively throughout their extent. This confer on them a false appearance of a progressive lesion. There are severe lesions, which seriously threaten ambulation. Trans-cervical fractures should be considered separately; these are usually isolated lesions, simple to treat and of good prognosis. Fractures of the acetabulum and necroses of the acetabular roof or of the femoral head, developing usually as paired lesions or in the context of an irradiation coxopathy, constitute another group, in which treatment by total prosthesis raises numerous technical problems. Total prosthesis has however given to these hips; in almost 2 cases out of 3, a function which is at present satisfactory but whose future is unknown. The abnormality high levels of infection and in particular loosening are related to the extent to which the lesions have progressed. Resection of these prosthesis in cases of failure is similar to resection of the head and neck, and has its place as a salvage operation since its allows mobility and pain relief to be obtained at the price of stability.

[Fracture-dislocations of the upper end of the humerus]

30 cases have been collected and treated by the authors. They classify the anatomical types according to the direction and nature of the fracture line. The treatment is more difficult when the fracture is intra-capsular than when it is extra capsular, that is metaphysial or below the tuberosities. A particular type was described, called "vertical fracture" by the authors. The major complication was a persistent joint stiffness, commonly bound to an avascular necrosis of the humeral head, especially in intra-capsular fractures. An orthopaedic reduction should always be attempted when the fracture is impacted. In the other cases, the treatment should be surgical aiming at obtaining a reduction of the dislocation and fixation of the fracture. The opportunity of an early arthroplasty in intra-capsular, comminuted fractures with extruded capital fragments is discussed.

[Fractures of the tibial spina and tuberosity, or fractures with subluxation of the upper end of the tibia]

The authors describe several types of fractures of the upper tibial extremity associating some degree of dislocation of one tibial plateau. They analyse the mechanical conditions of such fractures(axial compression with strain in the frontal plane), describe the associated (menisci, ligaments). Therapeutic conclusions are drawn.