Emile Letournel: Pioneer of Acetabular Surgery.

Stamp Vignettes focus on biographical details and accomplishments related to science and medicine, and not individual views and prejudices except when they had a major impact on the subject's life. The authors of Stamp Vignettes do not intend to imply any endorsement of such views when discussing a Stamp Vignette on Medical Science.

External fixation of the lower extremities: Biomechanical perspective and recent innovations.

The concept of supporting fractured long bones externally with mechanical fixation has been evidentially applied for over 2000 years, and since been expanded on in the mid-19th century by percutaneous bone fixation. Surgical techniques, external fixator systems, and materials have made continued progress since. The benefits of traditional external fixation have been enhanced in recent years with the introduction of hexapod-style fixators, innovative configurations, and pin modifications, among other things. It is generally agreed upon that biomechanical testing of advancements in external fixation must be inclusive of transverse or torsional loading to simulate construct behaviour in realistic scenarios. Biomechanical studies indicate that hexapod-style fixators show comparable axial stiffness to Ilizarov-style systems and improved performance under torsional and transverse forces. The addition of configuration elements to fixators, inclusion of certain carbon fibre chemical compositions, and techniques intended to augment ring thickness have also been investigated, in hopes of increasing construct stiffness under loading. Novel external fixators attempt to broaden their applications by rethinking bone mounting mechanisms and either expanding on or simplifying the implementation of 3D bone segment transport for corrective osteotomy. Older and seemingly unconventional fixation techniques are being rediscovered and evolved further in order to increase patient comfort by improving everyday usability. The development of new pin coatings can potentially enhance the pin-bone interface while lowering infection rates typically expected at thicker soft tissue envelopes. Although complication, malunion, and nonunion rates have decreased over the past 50 years, the clinical results of external fixation today can still be optimized. Unsatisfactory healing in the lower extremities has especially been reported at locations such as the distal tibia; however, advancements such as osteoinductive growth hormone treatment may provide improved results. With the current progression of technology and digitization, it is only a matter of time before 'smart', partly-autonomous external fixation systems enter the market. This review article will provide a versatile overview of biomechanically proven fixator configurations and some carefully selected innovative systems and techniques that have emerged or been established in the past two decades.

Anatomy of the Ribs and Management of their Fractures as Viewed by Avicenna (980-1037 Ad)

INTRODUCTION: Avicenna statedinteresting points on the symptoms of rib bone fractures, their physical examination, and also treatment and management of the complications in his master piece Canon in Tibb. METHOD: We reviewed Avicenna's Canon and his viewpoints on the anatomy of the rib bones and their fractures and compared it with conventional medicine. RESULT: He described the ana omy of the ribs; he explained the effectiveness of their structure in the prote tion of vital organs. He also suggested some methods for the management of rib fractures, such as using vacuum at the fracture site or open surgery in case of complications. CONCLUSION: Avicenna's point of view on the approach toward rib fractures had some similarities and differences with conventional practice. Some of his suggestions could be taken into account.

History of external fixation for treatment of fractures.

Surgery in the first half of the nineteenth century was primarily dominated by pain and fear of lethal infections. Therefore, the absolute majority of fractures and dislocations were treated non-operatively. Development of operative treatment of fractures was influenced by three major inventions: anaesthesia (1846), antisepsis (1865) and X-rays (1895). The first to use external fixation is traditionally considered to be Malgaigne (1843). However, his devices cannot be really considered as external fixation. The external fixation device invented by Lambotte in 1902 is generally thought to be the first "real fixator". In America it was Clayton Parkhill, in 1897, with his "bone clamp" who started the process. Both Parkhill and Lambotte observed that metal pins inserted into bone were tolerated extremely well by the body. Mainly on the basis of their research findings, many external fixation devices have been and are being developed.

The Evolution of the Surgical Treatment of Sports Injuries in the 20th Century: A Historical Perspective.

Sports injuries have been a major issue in medicine, surgery, and especially in orthopedics since the classical antiquity era. The 20th century, with its progress and innovations, changed the general concept of treating these injuries forever. The purpose of this review is to show how innovations in surgery in the 20th century changed the rationale of treating sports injuries. In this historical review, we present innovations concerning fracture treatment, spine injury treatment, and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction related to sports injuries. In addition, we present and record those surgical techniques and the pioneer surgeons who first used them.

The Role of Arthroscopy in the Management of Tibial Plateau Fractures.

Arthroscopy has been advocated as a possible adjunct to the operative treatment of tibial plateau fractures. This review article provides a historical perspective on the development of the technique while focusing on its current role in the management of these injuries. Topics include the possible utility of employing arthroscopy in the diagnosis and management of associated soft tissue lesions and potential for arthroscopic assistance to facilitate achieving fracture reduction without an open arthrotomy. Pertinent literature is reviewed and discussed, with an emphasis on the data related to patient outcomes.

Evolution of the Hoffmann Fixators.

Dr. Raoul Hoffmann of Geneva, Switzerland with the collaboration of Henri Jaquet developed the original Hoffmann external fixateur as a system for treating broken bones without necessarily opening a fracture site to reposition the bone ends. This system has evolved to a more flexible, modular concept with input from surgeons and engineers. In this chapter the modifications of the Hoffmann family of fixators are traced and the important steps in the development of the concept and the instrumentation emphasized.

Treatment of distal humerus fractures in adults: a historical perspective.

Nonsurgical treatment was the mainstay of management of distal humerus fractures for centuries and nonunions and malunions were common. The 19th century featured the recognition of distinct injury patterns. With advances in radiology, anesthesia, antisepsis, and hardware technology, surgical treatment is now generally preferred, yet loss of elbow joint mobility can still be a vexing problem.

The Balkan beam - Florschütz frame and its use during the Great War.

We remember the military medical practice of Croatian surgeon, Vatroslav Florschütz (1879-1967), known for his invention of the traction frame for repositioning bone fracture fragments of the upper and lower extremities. The method, known as the Balkan frame / beam or Balkan splint, was introduced and published in 1911 and used in war medicine thereafter. The memory of this invention adds to our orthopaedic heritage and sheds light on its creator working under the most demanding war circumstances. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War I, reminiscence of Florschütz's war experience, his orthopaedic innovation and other innovations contributes to our understanding of human efforts to save lives and restore bodily function of the wounded during wars.

Monteggia fracture dislocations: a historical review.

The eponym Monteggia fracture dislocation originally referred to a fracture of the shaft of the ulna accompanied by anterior dislocation of the radial head that was described by Giovanni Battista Monteggia of Italy in 1814. Subsequently, a further classification system based on the direction of the radial head dislocation and associated fractures of the radius and ulna was proposed by Jose Luis Bado of Uruguay in 1958. This article investigates the evolution of treatment, classification, and outcomes of the Monteggia injury and sheds light on the lives and contributions of Monteggia and Bado.

History of operative treatment of forearm diaphyseal fractures.

Diaphyseal fractures of the forearm have accompanied humanity throughout its history. Nonsurgical techniques dominated the treatment for centuries, and complications including nonunion and malunion were common. The 19th century featured the recognition of distinct injury patterns. With the development of anesthesia and antisepsis, the operative treatment became widespread. In 1878, Heine described fixation of the diaphyseal nonunion of the distal ulna using an intramedullary ivory peg. Parkhill reported on the application of external fixation for forearm fractures in 1897-1898. Hansmann published the case of plate osteosynthesis of an acute fracture of the radius in 1886. In 1913, Schöne published the technique of closed intramedullary fixation of diaphyseal fractures of the forearm using a silver wire. During the first 2 decades of the 20th century, plate osteosynthesis quickly spread across Europe and North America owing to the influence of Lambotte and Lane. After the World War II, plate osteosynthesis became the surgical treatment of choice for forearm diaphyseal fractures.

Facial fractures in children: a historical perspective on treatment techniques.

The surgical principles for the treatment of facial fractures in children have evolved progressively over the past 70 years. In 1943 Waldron and colleagues published what is probably the first paper on the subject, thus setting a paradigm for the conservative treatment of pediatric facial fractures. This standard remained viable for about five decades. Therefore, during many years children with facial fractures did not benefit in the same manner as their adult counterparts from the multiple advances made in the management of facial trauma. In the 1990s craniofacial surgeons used plates and screws to correct craniofacial deformities in children with congenital malformations. As a consequence of their findings, pediatric oral and maxillofacial surgeons started to apply such principles to the management of facial fractures in young, growing patients, which eventually paved the way for the open reduction with external fixation paradigm. The aims of this article are to detail Waldron's initial directives, to evaluate the publications that contributed to its consolidation, and to analyze the factors that led to its challenge fifty years later.

History of lower limb reconstruction after trauma.

BACKGROUND: The principles guiding reconstruction of the lower limb after trauma have become established over 300 years through advances in technology and studies of epidemiology. This paper reviews how these principles came about and why they are important. METHODS: This is a structured review of historical and recent literature pertinent to lower limb reconstruction. The outcomes assessed in the pre-modern era were wound mortality, amputation mortality and amputation rate. In the modern era, infection and non-union emerged as measures of outcome, which are morbidity- rather than mortality-based. Indications for amputation published during the eras are taken to reflect the reconstructive practices of the time. RESULTS: Amputation and wound mortality fell throughout the pre-modern era, from 70% and 20% to 1.8% and 1.8%, respectively. Amputation rates peaked in the American Civil War (53%) but have remained less than 20% since then. Infection and non-union rates in the modern era have fluctuated between 5% and 45%. CONCLUSIONS: Priority areas for research include refinement of soft tissue reconstruction, injury classification, standardization of outcome measures and primary prevention. The impact of débridement and antisepsis on outcomes should not be forgotten as progress is made.

Three-and four-part proximal humerus fractures: evolution to operative care.

The recent increase in life expectancy is expected to bring about a concurrent rise in the number of proximal humerus fractures. Those presenting with significant displacement, osteoporosis, and comminution present distinct clinical challenges, and the optimal treatment of these injuries remains controversial. As implant technologies and treatment strategies continue to evolve, the role and appropriateness of certain operative and nonoperative treatment modalities are being debated. Prior concerns regarding humeral head viability forced many physicians to abandon operative management in favor of nonoperative modalities. However, with greater appreciation and understanding of the factors governing humeral head viability, operative intervention is increasingly used and investigated. Nevertheless, sub-optimal results with earlier implants continue to cloud the debate between nonoperative and operative treatment modalities. This paper will review historical considerations, biologic considerations, and implant considerations in the management of three-and four-part proximal humerus fractures.

The evolution of distal radius fracture management: a historical treatise.

Distal radius fractures (DRFs) have been a common affliction for millennia, but their treatment is a more recent development resulting from human erudition. Although immobilization has served as the only available treatment for most of our history, many advances have been made in the management of DRFs over the last century as orthopedics has grown. Yet the topic remains hotly contested in the literature and, given the frequency of the injury, research continues to focus on it. This article traces the evolution of DRF treatment to provide a context for the future.

The Blantyre bonesetter: William Rae's rise to fame and the popular press.

William Rae (1841-1907) was a bonesetter in Blantyre near Glasgow who quietly practised and treated the local people of the region in relative obscurity. In 1904, the popular press became aware of his work, and after they printed stories of his skills and cures Rae was flocked by patients from the surrounding regions. The stories were then copied by newspapers in England, the USA, Australia and New Zealand, and Rae became internationally known. This article gives a historical look at Rae, his patients and his methods of treatment, as well as the medical views on bonesetting and this individual.