Volume 22 · Issue 05 · 2019

Supracondylar fractures of the humerus cause significant morbidity in children. Nerve damage and loss of fracture reduction are common recognised complications in patients with this injury. Uncertainty surrounds the optimal Kirschner wire configuration and diameter for closed reduction and pinning of these fractures. This study describes current practice and examined the association between wire configuration or diameter and outcomes (clinical and radiological) in the operative management of paediatric supracondylar fractures.

Children presenting with Gartland II or III supracondylar fractures at five hospitals in south-west England were eligible for inclusion. Collaborators scrutinised paper and electronic case notes. Outcome measures were maintenance of reduction and iatrogenic nerve injury.

Altogether 209 patients were eligible for inclusion: 15.7% had a documented neurological deficit at presentation; 3.9% who were neurologically intact at presentation sustained a new deficit caused by treatment and 13.4% experienced a clinically significant loss of reduction following fixation. Maintenance of reduction was significantly better in patients treated specifically with crossed ×3 Kirschner wire configuration compared to all other configurations. The incidence of iatrogenic nerve injury was not significantly different between groups treated with different wire configurations.

We present a large multicentre cohort study showing that crossed ×3 Kirschner wires are associated with better maintenance of reduction than crossed ×2 or lateral entry wires. Greater numbers would be required to properly investigate nerve injury relating to operative management of supracondylar fractures. We found significant variations in practice and compliance with the British Orthopaedic Association Standard for Trauma (BOAST) 11 guidelines.

To assess the clinical and radiographic outcomes of coronoid process fractures surgically managed with buttress plate fixation via a medial approach.

A retrospective review of all coronoid fractures surgically fixed in our institution using a buttress plate technique via a medial approach between June 2012 and April 2015 by the senior author was performed. These fractures were all sizeable fractures contributing to persistent elbow instability in terrible triad or varus posteromedial rotatory instability injury patterns. A prospective telephone questionnaire was conducted to assess patient outcomes using the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score and Mayo hlbow performance score (MEPS).

Twelve patients were included in the study, comprising 10 males and 2 females with an average age of 39 years (range, 19-72 years). Mean follow-up was 16 months (range, 4-18 months). The average time to radiographic union was 4 months (range, 3-7 months). Range of motion measurements at final follow-up were obtained in 11 out of 12 patients, with one patient defaulting follow-up. All 11 patients displayed a functional elbow range of motion of at least 30^°-130^°, with an average arc of motion of 130^° (range, 110^°－140^°), mean elbow flexion of 134^° (range, 110^°-140^°) and mean flexion contracture of 3^° (range, 0^°-20^°). The mean DASH score was 16 (range, 2.5-43.8) and the mean MEPS was 75 (range, 65-100). Complications observed included one patient with a superficial wound infection which resolved with a course of oral antibiotics and one patient with radiographic evidence of heterotopic ossification which was conservatively managed. No residual elbow instability was observed and no reoperations were performed.

Buttress plate fixation via a medial approach of coronoid process fractures that contribute to persistent elbow instability represents a reliable method of treatment that produces satisfactory and predictable outcomes.

The fractures of anterior mandible are subject to severe torsional forces due to muscles acting in opposite directions. 3D miniplate has been suggested as a good alternative by some researchers. However, finite element model (FEM) studies indicate that labio-inferior positioning of two miniplates perpendicular to each other offers better stability as compared to labial positioning. This study aims at combining the advantages of a single 3D miniplate and labio-inferior positioning of two conventional miniplates, which was assessed by finite element analysis along with a pilot clinical trial.

Two FEM models were created using CT data of a 24-year-old patient with Angle class I occlusion: control model with labial plating and study model with labio-inferior plating. The models were processed with MIMICS® (materialise, Leuven, Belgium), CATIA® (Dassault Systemes) and finite element analysis softwares. Parameters adopted for analysis were (1) displacement (mm) of fracture fragments during each screw fixation, (2) lingual splay and post fixation stability of fracture fragments with masticatory load, and (3) stress distribution (MPa) across fracture fragments. Moreover, a pilot clinical trial including five patients with anterior mandible fracture was conducted. The fractures were managed by intraoral open reduction and 3D miniplate fixation in labio-inferior position. Intraoperative inter-fragmentary gap, post fixation lingual splay and radiographic fracture union and complications were assessed clinically.

Labio-inferior plating demonstrated less displacement (mm) of fracture fragments during screw fixation (0.059 vs. 0.079) as well as after application of masticatory load (1.805 vs. 1.860). Negligible lingual splay and less stress distribution (MPa) across fracture fragments (1.860 vs. 1.847) were appreciated in the study group as compared to control group. Clinical trial support the favorable outcome related to intraoperative and postoperative assessment parameters.

FEM analysis and clinical trial reveal better results with labio-inferior positioning of 3D miniplate when compared to labial positioning.

Open tibia fracture is prone to infection, consequently causing significant morbidity and increasing the hospital stay, occupational loss and onset of chronic osteomyelitis. Intramedullary nailing is one choice for treating tibia shaft fractures. To improve the delivery of antibiotics at the tissue-implant interface, many methods have been proposed as a part of prophylaxis against infection. This study was conducted to study the role of gentamicin-impregnated intramedullary interlocking (IMIL) nail in the prevention of infection in Gustilo type I and II open tibia fractures and to compare the results with regular intramedullary nail.

The study included 28 patients with open tibia fractures (Gustilo type 1 or type 2); of them 14 underwent regular IMIL nailing and the other 14 were treated with gentamicin-coated nailing. Randomization was done by alternate allocation of the patients. Follow-up was done postoperatively (day 1), 1 week, 6 weeks, and 6 months for bone union, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), hemoglobin and C-reactive protein (CRP). Statistical significance was tested using unpaired t-test. A p value less than 0.05 was considered significant.

There were 4 cases of infection in controls (regular IMIL nail) and no infection among patients treated with gentamicin-coated nail during the follow up (X² = 4.66, p = 0.031). At 6 months postoperatively, CRP (p = 0.031), ESR (p = 0.046) and hemoglobin level (p = 0.016) showed significant difference between two groups. The bone healing rate was better with gentamicin-coated nail in comparison to regular IMIL nail at 6 months follow-up (p = 0.016).

Gentamicin-coated IMIL nail has a positive role in preventing infection in Gustilo type I and II open tibia fractures.

Shoulder dislocation comprises 60% of all major joint dislocations worldwide and a number of reduction techniques are described in the literature with varying degrees of success. The description of a large number of techniques speaks for itself that no method is effective all the times and one should be acquainted with more than one technique. An ideal method of reduction should be simple, easily reproducible, relatively painless that can be performed unassisted without sedation or anaesthesia with minimal or no further complications. We report our results of using a novel method of anterior shoulder reduction described recently in the literature that claims to fulfil most of the characteristics of an ideal method if not all.

This prospective study was conducted in a tertiary care centre. All the cases of primary anterior shoulder dislocation presenting within three days of injury without any associated fracture or spine trauma with or without greater tuberosity fracture were included. The reduction was done using a novel method by orthopaedic residents in all cases. The need for a second reduction attempt or anaesthesia was considered a treatment failure. Time taken for reduction, pain felt during reduction and complications if any were noted.

There were 47 (77.04%) males and 14 (22.95%) females with a mean age of (37.04 ± 12.63) years. The new technique was effective in locating a shoulder dislocation on the first attempt in 58 of the 61 dislocated shoulders (95.08%). The remaining three shoulders were reduced on second attempt by the same technique. Sedative, pre-medication or anaesthesia was not used in any case. The average time taken for the shoulder reduction was (130.5 ± 25.8) seconds and confidence interval (95%) 124-137 s. Iatrogenic complications were not seen in any of the patients.

This relatively painless technique of shoulder reduction is easy to acquire and practice in emergency department. The advantages of this manoeuvre and its associated safety may justly lead surgeons to select it as their primary method for reduction of anterior shoulder dislocations.

In medical colleges, resident training programs must provide adequate surgical experiences, making them qualified at the end of residency program. It is generally believed that it would take more time for a surgical resident to perform surgical procedures than a board-certified surgeon. There is no current benchmark with regards to operative time and surgical cases involving orthopedic surgery residents. In this study, we focused on two key aspects of surgical training variables, namely, surgical duration & C-arm shoots when the procedure is done by a faculty surgeon in comparison to done by an orthopedic resident under supervision of faculty surgeon.

It is an observational prospective study, we observed patients undergoing 1 of 5 common orthopedic trauma operations in a community teaching hospital. We recorded two variables, 'skin to skin’ surgical duration & number of image intensifier television/C-arm shoots of faculty surgeons and orthopedic resident (postgraduate-3yr) under supervision of faculty surgeon. We calculated mean difference of two variables with or without resident & determined statistical significance, we also compared functional outcome at final follow-up.

The total number of procedure observed was 402. On observing summarized results of all surgical procedures, faculty surgeons took on an average 33 min lesser (p < 0.05) & on an average 37 lesser number of shoots (p < 0.05) than resident surgeons. The difference in surgical duration tended to increase with the greater complexity of the surgical dissection. The difference in number of C-arm shoots tended to increase with the increase in surgical duration in closed procedures. In all the five procedures there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in functional outcome of cases performed by faulty surgeon and resident.

Little data has been previously published regarding the impact of teaching orthopedic resident in operating room. We demonstrate that resident participation increases the procedure time for commonly performed orthopedic procedures and also the number of C-arm shoots, hence there is a need for technical training facilities outside the operating room such as in cadaveric labs, saw bone labs & virtual surgery simulation. Also the preoperative plan should be thoroughly discussed by faculty surgeon with residents.

The medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) acts as primary restraint to lateral patellar dislocation and its rupture has been reported in almost all cases of acute patellar dislocation. Various surgical techniques have been described for MPFL reconstruction, using many femoral and patellar fixation techniques and different grafts. This article details our technique for MPFL reconstruction using semitendinosus graft which avoids the use of implant at patellar end.

Twenty patients (8 males and 12 females) with complaints regarding acute and chronic lateral patellar instability were evaluated and treated by MPFL reconstruction procedure. The mean age of patients was 21 years (range 17-34 years). MPFL reconstruction was performed using semitendinosus graft passing through two parallel, obliquely directed tunnels created in patella. Fixation of graft was done with an interference screw only at the femoral end. Mean follow-up period after intervention was 26.4 months (range 23-30 months). Results were evaluated using Kujala score.

All patients gained adequate patellar stability and full arc of motion. No incidence of patella fracture was noted. There were no postoperative complications related to the procedure. There was no recurrence of instability in patella at final follow-up.

Passing the graft through the tunnels in patella without use of any implant has given excellent functional outcome and moreover has the advantages of less implant-related complications and cost-effectiveness.

A head injury (HI) may cause a skull fracture, which may or may not be associated with injury to the brain. In essence, a skull base fracture (SBF) is a linear fracture at the base of the skull. Loss of consciousness and Glasgow coma score (GCS) may vary depending on an associated intracranial pathology. The pathomechanism is believed to be caused by high energy impact directly to the mastoid and supraorbital bone or indirectly from the cranial vault. Aim of this study is to define the correlation between SBF and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in patients with HI.

Analysis of data obtained from a retrospective review of medical records and from a systematized database pertaining to diagnostic criteria of SBF patients based only on clinical symptoms associated with ICH caused by HI treated in the Department of Neurosurgery at Dr. Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2017. The exclusion criteria included age less than 15 years and no head computed tomography (CT) scan examination provided.

A total of 9006 patients were included into this study in which they were divided into 3 groups: group 1, HI with no ICH; group 2, HI with single ICH and group 3, HI with multiple ICH. In all the SBF cases, SBF at anterior fossa accounted for 69.40% of them, which were mostly accompanied with mild HI (64.70%). Severity of HI and site of SBF correlated with the existence of traumatic brain lesions on CT scan, thus these factors were able to predict whether there were traumatic brain lesions or not. Most of the patients with epidural hemorrhage (EDH) has single traumatic lesion on CT scan, whereas most of the patients with cerebral contusion (CC) has multiple traumatic lesions on CT scan. On patients with both traumatic brain injury and SBF, most of the patients with anterior fossa SBF has EDH; whereas most of the patients with middle fossa SBF were accompanied with CC. Surgery was not required for most of the patients with SBF.

SBFs were strongly correlated with traumatic ICH lesions patients with anterior fossa SBF were more likely to suffer EDH whereas with middle fossa SBF were more likely to suffer CC.

Through the study of economic, traffic and population data related to road traffic accidents from 2004 to 2016, this paper analyzed the impact of various factors on road traffic casualties in China, and provided theoretical basis and suggestions for the road traffic safety management in China.

Based on three aspects (economy, road, population) with five factors (gross domestic product (GDP), traffic investment, new vehicle ownership, new road mileage and newly increased population), this paper collected the relevant data of road traffic accidents in 31 provinces and cities in China, from 2004 to 2016. A panel model was established to carry out empirical analysis.

All factors have a significant impact on the number of road traffic accident casualties. When other factors remain unchanged, the number of road traffic casualties decreased by an average of 0.19 for every 100 million CNY increased in GDP. For every 100 million CNY increased in traffic investment, the number of road traffic casualties is reduced by an average of 13.93, indicating that economic development can improve road traffic safety to a certain extent. On the contrary, the growth in road mileage, new motor vehicles and population has increased the number of road traffic casualties. For every 10, 000 km of new road mileage, the number of traffic accident casualties has increased by 284.04. For every 10,000 newborns, the number of road traffic casualties increased by 7.33; as the number of new motor vehicles increases by 10,000, the number of road traffic casualties increased by an average of 21.77.

The increase of GDP and traffic investment can significantly reduce the number of road traffic casualties in China, which shows that economic development is essential to improve road traffic safety. The numbers of new road mileage, newly increased population and the new motor vehicles are positively correlated with the number of traffic accident casualties in traffic accidents, which reflects the existing problems in road design, distribution of road resources, and traffic management in China. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the economic and road related aspects to improve road traffic safety.

The incidence of chronic wounds has been increasing over the past 20 years. However, the standardized diagnosis and treatment practice of chronic refractory wounds have not been established. In addition, the properties of the wound are characterized by morphology and thus correct description of the wound in medical history collection plays a vital role, which directly affects the definitive diagnosis. To develop more accurate format of clinical history record which can correctly reflect a patient’s course and treatment progress, and to standardize the medical history record of chronic refractory wounds, at the national or regional level, we designed the WoundCareLog APP. It acts as a recording and communication tool for wound healing specialists at all levels of medical institutions in China. The WoundCareLog APP is fully compatible to meet the criteria and requirements of conventional medical records by embedding 9 modules. In addition, the demands for morphological description of wounds in wound healing diagnosis and treatment have been fulfilled by enroll of digital imaging technology to overcome the inadequacies of traditional medical history records.

The National Spinal Cord Injury Registry of Iran (NSCIR-IR) is a not-for-profit, hospital-based, and prospective observational registry that appraises the quality of care, long-term outcomes and the personal and psychological burden of traumatic spinal cord injury in Iran. Benchmarking validity in every registry includes rigorous attention to data quality. Data quality assurance is essential for any registry to make sure that correct patients are being enrolled and that the data being collected are valid. We reviewed strengths and weaknesses of the NSCIR-IR while considering the methodological guidelines and recommendations for efficient and rational governance of patient registries. In summary, the steering committee, funded and maintained by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education of Iran, the international collaborations, continued staff training, suitable data quality, and the ethical approval are considered to be the strengths of the registry, while limited human and financial resources, poor interoperability with other health systems, and time-consuming processes are among its main weaknesses.

Treatment of infected forearm nonunion and defects represents a difficult task for the operating surgeons. Conventional methods like composite and vascularized fibular grafts and the induced membranes filled with cancellous autografts or the Masquelet technique have been reported to be useful and successful, but sometimes it is difficult to predict the outcome and cannot address simultaneous deformities or the need to apply gradual distraction for reduction of a chronically dislocated radial head. Ilizarov technique has an answer for such conditions. We report a 43 years old man with infected ulnar defect and dislocated radial head as a result of infected Monteggia fracture: the patient was successfully treated by Ilizarov bone transport after failed attempts by bone spacer and fibular graft.

Systemic air embolism is a rare but potentially fatal complication related to many factors. The purpose of this article is to alert clinicians once patients occurs an abnormal neurological and cardiovascular status, following minor traumatic treatment, air embolism should be considered. A 20-year-old man who presented with fungal pneumonia with lung cavities formation was admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) and received positive airway pressure ventilation. Four days later, the fungal pneumonia was improved, but the patient's blood pressure and arterial oxygen saturation deteriorated, so computed tomography (CT) scans were preformed to reevaluate him. The scans detected air embolism in the left atrium and ventricle, ascending aorta, aortic arch and its branches (right brachiocephalic, bilateral common carotid and right subclavian arteries), descending aorta and right coronary artery. A CT scan of the abdomen revealed air in the spleen, cauda pancreatic, superior mesenteric artery and right external iliac artery. The patient died two days later from multiple organ dysfunction. We suggest that vascular air embolism should be considered under mechanical ventilation when patients' neurologic and cardiovascular status deteriorates, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy should be conducted immediately.