The Use of a Robotic Arm for Fixation of Pelvic Fractures.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate unplanned cortical or neuroforaminal violation of iliosacral and transsacral screw placement using fluoroscopy versus screw placement using a robotic arm. DESIGN: This is a prospective cohort study. SETTING: Single surgeon, single North American level 1 trauma center. PATIENTS: Radiographic and clinical data for 21 consecutive adult trauma patients with pelvic ring fractures undergoing surgical treatment were prospectively collected. Treatment consisted of iliosacral and/or transsacral screws with or without anterior fixation. INTERVENTION: Ten patients were treated with the assistance of a robotic arm. Eleven patients were treated with standard fluoroscopic techniques. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Thirty-two screws were placed and evaluated with postoperative computed tomography or O-arm spins to assess unplanned cortical or neuroforaminal violation. Violations were graded according to the Gertzbein and Robbins system for pedicle screw violation, categorizing screw violation in 2-mm increments. The postoperative images were blindly reviewed by 5 fellowship-trained orthopaedic traumatologists. The treating surgeon was excluded from review. RESULTS: The Mann-Whitney U test on the Gertzbein and Robbins system results demonstrated significantly (P = 0.02) fewer violations with robotic assistance. χ2 analysis of whether there was a cortical violation of any distance demonstrated significantly (P = 0.003) fewer cortical violations with robotic assistance. There were no neurovascular injuries in either group. CONCLUSION: Robotic assistance demonstrated significantly fewer unplanned cortical or neuroforaminal violations. Further research is needed with additional surgeons and sites to evaluate the accuracy of iliosacral and transsacral screw placement with robotic assistance. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, level II.

Efficacy of Postoperative Radiographs After Intramedullary Nailing of the Tibia and Femur: When Are They Useful?

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative radiographs are used to monitor fractures of the tibia and femur after intramedullary fixation. This study sought to examine how frequently these radiographs change management. METHODS: This was a single-center chart review of patients over a 4-year period at a level I trauma center. Radiographs were defined as either performed for routine surveillance or performed with some clinical correlate on history and examination. Participants received intramedullary nailing for diaphyseal fractures of the femur or tibia. Patients required at least one postoperative radiograph. All patients were subject to our institution's follow-up protocol: visits at 2, 6, 12, and 24 weeks. Radiographs that changed management were those that led to alterations in follow-up, directed counseling, or contributed to the decision to proceed with revision surgery. RESULTS: A total of 374 patients were found. Two hundred seventy-seven received at least one post-op radiograph. The median follow-up was 23 weeks. Six hundred seventeen total radiographs were reviewed. Nine radiographs contributed to a change in management (9/617 = 1.5%). No surveillance radiograph taken before 14 weeks resulted in changes in management. DISCUSSION: Our results suggest that radiographs taken in the first 3 months post-op in asymptomatic patients treated with lower extremity intramedullary rods do not result in changes to clinical management.

Effect of nailing technique on length of stay in isolated ballistic femoral shaft fractures.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate length of stay, postoperative mobilization and discharge disposition following intramedullary nailing of ballistic femoral shaft fractures stratified by nailing technique. METHODS: All adult patients with isolated ballistic femoral shaft fractures between May 1, 2018, and September 1, 2021, were reviewed. The final cohort included 69 ballistic femur fractures in 69 patients. Of the 69 patients included, 29 were treated with retrograde nailing while 40 were treated with antegrade nailing. RESULTS: The average length of stay of patients treated with antegrade nailing was 2.55 days (SD 1.3 days) compared with 3.45 days (SD 2.3 days) for patients treated with retrograde nailing; this was statistically significant (P = 0.04). Median steps on POD1 for antegrade nailing were 20 and 8 for retrograde. There was no significant difference in VAS pain scores between the two cohorts. All patients were discharged home. CONCLUSION: The average length of stay for patients who underwent antegrade nailing was significantly shorter when compared with the retrograde nailing. Patients in the antegrade cohort mobilized further than the retrograde cohort in the immediate postoperative setting. We found no significant difference in VAS pain scores between the two cohorts.

Total hip arthroplasty after acetabular fractures in the older population: timing of intervention may improve patient outcomes.

PURPOSE: This study evaluates complication rates following treatment modalities of THA for acetabular fractures in the older population. METHODS: A national insurance database was used to identify acetabular fracture patients of age > 50 who underwent THA treatment within two years of fracture. Four subgroups were identified: primary THA < 2 months after injury (acute THA), primary THA > 2 months after injury (delayed THA), simultaneous ORIF and THA, and conversion THA after ORIF (THA after ORIF). A 3:1 match was performed between these subgroups and patients undergoing THA for non-fracture causes. Patients were matched based on age, gender and the diagnosis of diabetes, hypertension, obesity or tobacco use. Complication rates were compared, including hospital readmission, revision, infection and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). RESULTS: In total, 3807 patients met inclusion criteria and were matched with 11,421 controls. Compared to controls, acute THA and delayed THA patients had significantly increased rates of all complications (OR ranges 1.45 - 2.82, p < 0.001). Simultaneous ORIF and THA and THA after ORIF patients had significantly increased rates of revision, infection and DVT (OR ranges 1.76 - 3.96, p ranges < 0.001 - p = 0.031). Compared to delayed THA, acute THA patients had significantly higher rates of readmission (OR = 1.16, p = 0.021) and DVT (OR = 1.89, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Consistent with prior literature, THA after acetabular fracture is associated with higher complication rates than THA for non-fracture causes. Acute THA following acetabular fracture is also associated with higher rates of readmission and DVT than delayed THA.

Application of an external fixator vascular compressor (EFVC) in the critically injured trauma patient: a novel damage control technique.

Methods of controlling hemorrhage in penetrating abdominal injuries are varied, ranging from electrocautery, ligation, laparotomy sponge packing, angiography, hemostatic agents, and direct manual pressure. Unfortunately, traditional methods are sometimes unsuccessful due to the location or nature of the hemorrhage, and manual pressure cannot be held indefinitely. We describe a novel damage control technique for hemorrhage control in these situations, followed by three cases where an external fixator vascular compressor (EFVC) was used to hold continual pressure. Three patients are presented to a Level 1 trauma center following multiple ballistic injuries, all requiring emergent exploratory laparotomy. The first had a two-pin iliac crest EFVC placed during repeat exploratory laparotomy to control bleeding. The second patient had a supra-acetabular EFVC placed during initial exploratory laparotomy after emergent embolization failed to control bleeding from the L3 vertebral body. The third patient had a two-pin iliac crest EFVC placed at initial exploratory laparotomy due to uncontrollable bleeding from the sacral venous plexus and internal iliac veins. Of the three patients, two stabilized and survived, while one passed away due to multi-organ failure. We describe a novel damage control technique that may be a useful means of temporarily stemming intraabdominal bleeding that is otherwise recalcitrant to traditional hemostatic methods. Additionally, we provided a limited case series of patients who have undergone this technique to illustrate its utility and versatility. This technique is simple, fast, effective, and adaptable to a variety of circumstances that may be encountered in patients with intraabdominal bleeding recalcitrant to conventional hemorrhage control.

Percutaneous retrograde posterior column acetabular fixation: is the sciatic nerve safe? A cadaveric study.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this cadaveric study was to determine the proximity of the neurologic structures to the path of the screw inserted percutaneously into the ischial tuberosity. DESIGN: Cadaver study. INTERVENTION: Ten screws were inserted in 10 limbs (5 cadavers) under fluoroscopic guidance. Dissection was then performed to expose the head of the screw and was extended laterally to expose the sciatic nerve, the posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh, and its inferior cluneal branches. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The distance from the screw head to the sciatic nerve, posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh, and the inferior cluneal nerves. RESULTS: The distance from the center of the screw head to the sciatic nerve averaged 58 mm (range, 40-70 mm). The average distance between the screw head and the posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh was 42 mm (range, 30-60 mm). The inferior cluneal branches were the closest to the path of the screw with an average distance of 3.5 mm in 6 specimens (range, 1-6 mm) and were injured by the screw in 3 and could not be located in another specimen. CONCLUSIONS: The sciatic nerve and the posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh appear to be safe during retrograde percutaneous screw fixation of a posterior column acetabular fracture through a central entry point in the ischial tuberosity. However, the inferior cluneal nerves that are responsible for the cutaneous sensitivity of the lower half of the gluteal region are at risk of injury.

Evaluation of popliteal artery injury risk with locked lateral plating of the tibial plateau.

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to determine if there is increased likelihood of popliteal artery injury as one places a fixed-angle lateral proximal tibia locking plate with posterior plate lift off and or anterior plate translation from the ideal position. METHODS: A Synthes (Synthes USA, West Chester, PA) 3.5-mm and 4.5-mm lateral proximal tibia locking plate was placed consecutively on each of six specimens in the straight lateral (SL) position. Screw position with respect to the medial cortex was recorded as well as the distance of the posterior most screw tip to the popliteal artery. Next a 3-mm shim was placed under the posterior edge of the same plate to mimic posterior plate lift off (LO) followed by placement of a 6-mm shim. The same experiment was repeated with the plate translated 5 mm anteriorly (AT). RESULTS: The popliteal artery was injured in zero of six specimens using the 3.5-mm plate. The popliteal artery was injured in six of six specimens using the 4.5-mm plate in the 5-mm AT 6-mm LO position, five of six with 5-mm AT and 3-mm LO, two of six with only 5-mm AT, four of six with SL and 6-mm LO, two of six with SL and 3-mm LO, and zero of six with SL. CONCLUSION: The Synthes 4.5-mm plate can put the popliteal artery at risk with as little as 3-mm posterior liftoff in the intended straight lateral position or with 5-mm anterior plate translation with no posterior liftoff. Therefore, placement of the 4.5-mm plate in the proper position and confirmation of its position with a true lateral radiograph is paramount to avoid injury to the popliteal artery.