Prevalence of Venous Thromboembolism after Immediate Screening in Hip Fracture Patients.

Purpose: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major complication for hip fracture patients, and may exist preoperatively. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of VTE after immediate screening in hip fracture patients. Materials and Methods: Hip fracture patients with an elevated level of D-dimer underwent screening for VTE using computed tomography (CT) angiography. Anticoagulation treatments were administered preoperatively to patients diagnosed with VTE, followed by administration of additional anticoagulation postoperatively. Medical records were reviewed to identify risk factors for preoperative VTE and determine the prognosis of the patients. Results: Among 524 hip fracture patients, 66 patients (12.6%) were diagnosed with VTE, including 42 patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), 17 patients with pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE), and 7 patients with both DVT and PTE. Of the patients with VTE, 68.2% were diagnosed within 24 hours of injury, and 33.3% of these patients had PTE. VTE patients showed a tendency toward being overweight (P<0.01) and not on anticoagulant medication (P=0.02) compared to patients without VTE. The risk of VTE was higher for femur shaft fractures (odds ratio [OR] 4.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.18-10.69) and overweight patients (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.17-3.85), and lower for patients who were previously on anticoagulants (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.18-0.74). Patients with preoperatively diagnosed VTE were asymptomatic before and after surgery. Conclusion: Clinicians should be aware that VTE may be present within 24 hours of injury, and screening for VTE or prophylactic measures should be considered for high-risk patients.

Biomechanical Comparisons of Different Reconstructive Techniques for Scapholunate Dissociation: A Cadaveric Study.

There are many techniques for the treatment of chronic scapholunate dissociation. The three-ligament tenodesis (3LT) is used most widely, but reconstruction of the dorsal ligament alone may not provide sufficient stability. The Mark-Henry technique (MHT) compensates for the insufficient stability of 3LT by additional reconstruction of the volar ligament, but the procedure is complex. The SwiveLock technique (SWT), a recently introduced method, provides stability by using autologous tendons with synthetic tapes, but lacks long-term clinical results. To perform biomechanical comparisons of different reconstructive techniques for scapholunate dissociation using a controlled laboratory cadaveric model. Eleven fresh-frozen upper-extremity cadaveric specimens were prepared. The scapholunate distance, scaphoid rotation, and lunate rotation of the specimens were measured during continuous flexion-extension and ulnar-radial deviation movements. The data were collected using a wrist simulator with a linear guide rail system (tendon load/motion-controlled system) and a motion capture system. Results were compared in five conditions: (1) intact, (2) scapholunate dissociation, (3) SWT, (4) 3LT, and (5) MHT. Paired t-test was employed to compare the biomechanical characteristics of intact wrists to those of scapholunate dissociated wrists, and to those of wrists after each of the three reconstruction methods. SWT and MHT were effective solutions for reducing the widening in scapholunate distance. According to the radioscaphoid angle, all three reconstruction techniques were effective in addressing the flexion deformity of the scaphoid. According to the radiolunate angle, only SWT was effective in addressing the extension deformity of the lunate. In terms of scapholunate angle, only the results after SWT did not differ from those of the intact wrist. The SWT technique most effectively improved distraction intensity and rotational strength for the treatment of scapholunate dissociation. Taking into account the technical complexity of 3LT and MHT, SWT may be a more efficient technique to reduce operating time and minimize complications due to multiple incisions, transosseous tunnels, and complicated shuttling.

A Novel Surgical Technique for Neglected Volar Dislocation of the Lunate: Cases Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Treatments for chronic perilunate or lunate dislocations are very difficult and associated with poor prognoses. There is no established treatment method and are still many controversies. CASE PRESENTATION: We reported three cases of chronic neglected lunate volar dislocation treated with a novel surgical technique. All three cases were males with wrist pain and tingling sensation. Radiographs confirmed chronic volar dislocation of the lunate. Open reduction was performed by combined volar and dorsal approaches. After anatomical reduction, scapholunate and lunotriquetral interosseous ligament reconstructions were performed with the palmaris longus tendon and synthetic tape. The patients had an uneventful postoperative period with satisfactory functional outcomes at the last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that open reduction and interosseous ligament reconstruction using the autogenous tendon and synthetic tape may be a valuable option for treating chronic volar dislocation of the lunate.

Outcomes of total hip arthroplasty after failed free vascularized fibular grafting for osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

PURPOSE: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) after vascularized fibular grafting (VFG) is technically demanding with poorer outcomes compared to primary THA in patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of THA after VFG after removal of the graft with that of primary THA. METHODS: ONFH patients treated by VFG at a single institution were studied retrospectively. THAs after VFG performed by single arthroplasty surgeon with a single type of THA prosthesis were enrolled in the study. A control cohort of patients was created by 1:1 matching with the THA after VFG cohort according to age, gender, and American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) score from ONFH patients treated by primary THA. Early and long-term outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 24 hips were included in the THA after VFG group and compared with 24 primary THA hips. No significant difference was noted in stem position. The THA after VFG group had increased blood loss and longer duration of operation time. There were two cases of intraoperative femur fractures in the THA after VFG group. The femoral stem of both groups were stable, with no cases of revision, and similar HHS scores at the last follow-up. CONCLUSION: THA after VFG may have similar short to midterm outcomes with primary THA after removal of the residual abutting bone graft and correct positioning of the femoral stem.

Impact of coronal plane fragments and anterior big neck fragments on the occurrence of perioperative lateral wall fractures in AO/OTA 31-A1,2 intertrochanteric fractures treated with cephalomedullary nailing.

PURPOSE: Cephalomedullary nails are used widely today for pertrochanteric fractures, and intraoperative lateral wall fractures can cause adverse effects. Recently, a high incidence of coronal fragments in pertrochanteric fractures was reported when analyzed with 3D CT reconstructions. In this study, we analyzed the association between the type of coronal fragments and perioperative lateral wall fractures. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with pertrochanteric fractures and treated by cephalomedullary nails at three university hospitals from September 2016 to December 2020 were examined. A total of 463 patients were included. We examined the coronal fragments and divided the patients into two groups according to the involvement of the posteromedial cortex. Postoperative X-rays were scanned for fracture lines at the blade entry site. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients among 463 patients had perioperative lateral wall fractures. The AO type A2 fractures, use of provisional pins, existence of coronal fragments, involvement of the posteromedial cortex, and the existence of anterior big neck fragments were significantly relevant to perioperative lateral wall fractures. 11 of 22 lateral wall fracture patients were delayed fracture patients, identified 4 weeks after surgery. A coronal fragment combined by anterior big neck fragments had a 9.24 times higher risk of lateral wall fractures compared to fractures with only coronal fragments. CONCLUSION: Pertrochanteric fractures with large coronal fragments and anterior big neck fragments have a high risk of perioperative lateral wall fractures when treated by cephalomedullary nails. Surgeons should examine the width of the intact lateral wall, and take caution to preserve its integrity.

Is rigid fixation of the greater trochanter necessary for arthroplasty of intertrochanteric fractures?

INTRODUCTION: Stable fixation of the greater trochanter fracture fragments is necessary in arthroplasty of intertrochanteric hip fractures, as nonunion of the greater trochanter fracture comminution may result in impaired function or dysfunction of the abductor lever arm. HYPOTHESIS: The ethibond suture technique is an efficient method for fixation of the greater trochanter fracture fragments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 47 cases were studied. The mean age of the patients was 80.6 years, and the minimum follow-up was 6 months. Radiologic evaluation was done by examination of greater trochanter healing and measurement of migration of the greater trochanter fragment. Functional evaluation was done by comparison of pre-injury and postoperative ambulation status. RESULTS: The mean migration of the greater trochanter fragment with ethibond sutures was 5.98mm. Union was achieved in 76.6%, and the nonunion rate was 23.4%. 86.9% of patients had no difference in ambulation or had a difference of only 1 level by the Koval score after treatment compared to their pre-injury status. DISCUSSION: The ethibond suture technique provides good fixation of the greater trochanter fragments in arthroplasty of intertrochanteric hip fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, Case series.

Epidermal Inclusion Cyst after Carpal Tunnel Release: A Case Report.

Background Carpal tunnel release is one of most commonly performed procedures in upper extremity surgery, with low complication rates. Case Description We report a case of epidermal inclusion cyst that occurred in a 44-year old man after carpal tunnel release. The epidermal inclusion cyst formed beneath the previous operation scar and induced recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome. Symptoms resolved completely after excision of the cyst. Literature Review Epidermal inclusion cysts are the third most common type of hand tumors. Although repeated minor trauma is the most frequent cause, surgical procedures can induce an epidermal inclusion cyst. One case report of epidermal inclusion cyst after carpal tunnel release was found in literature. Etiology, treatment, and prevention methods are reviewed. Clinical Relevance We hope this case report alerts physicians to the possibility of development of epidermal inclusion cyst after carpal tunnel release and the importance of basic surgical skills, such as gentle handling of a surgical wound, profuse saline irrigation, and careful wound closure with precise approximation of skin edges.

Which method is more effective in treatment of calcific tendinitis in the shoulder? Prospective randomized comparison between ultrasound-guided needling and extracorporeal shock wave therapy.

HYPOTHESIS: Ultrasound (US)-guided needling with subacromial corticosteroid injection is more effective than extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for function restoration and pain relief in patients with calcific tendinitis of the shoulder. METHODS: Fifty-four patients diagnosed with unilateral painful calcific tendinitis were randomly allocated to a US needling or ESWT group. The US needling group underwent US-guided needling and received a subacromial corticosteroid injection. The ESWT group received ESWT 3 times a week. All patients were prospectively evaluated; American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, Simple Shoulder Test, and visual analog scale for pain scores were recorded before the procedure and at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, and the last follow-up. The size and morphology of the deposits were evaluated by radiography. RESULTS: The average follow-up period was 23.0 months. At last follow-up, the mean size of the deposits was significantly different between the 2 groups (P = .001); it decreased to 0.5 mm from 14.8 mm in the US needling group and to 5.6 mm from 11.0 mm in the ESWT group. There were also significant improvements in clinical outcomes in both groups after treatment (P < .05). At 1-year follow-up, the US needling group had significantly better scores than the ESWT group with regard to the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons assessment (90.3 and 74.6, respectively; P = .001), Simple Shoulder Test (83.3 and 70.8, respectively; P = .015), and visual analog scale for pain (1.4 and 3.3, respectively; P = .003).The initial calcium deposit sizes and clinical outcomes were weakly correlated in both groups (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Both treatment modalities for calcific tendinitis improved clinical outcomes and eliminated calcium deposits. US-guided needling treatment, however, was more effective in function restoration and pain relief in the short term.