SUPRACONDYLAR FRACTURES IN CHILDREN: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF TREATMENT OPTIONS.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of surgical stabilization of pediatric supracondylar humeral fractures with the use of crossed Kirschner wires versus divergent lateral pinning wires. METHODS: This is a systematic review with meta-analysis carried out by searching the MEDLINE/PubMed, Science Direct and Scielo databases. In these, the search for journals was carried out between January and August 2023, where 695 studies were found. To assess the quality of the studies, the Jadad and the MINORS scales were used.. The selection and reading of relevant articles were carried out by the researchers and 11 studies met the selection criteria. RESULTS: From the 11 selected studies, 963 patients who met the criteria for the surgical treatment of these fractures were grouped. After the statistical analysis, we found that the ulnar nerve injury had a higher incidence when the crossed-K wire technique was used; and the lateral fixation is safer for the ulnar nerve. CONCLUSION: Both fixation techniques determine good functional results. However, fixation with lateral Kirschner wires proves to be safer considering the risk of iatrogenic injury to the ulnar nerve. Crossed-K wire fixation is more effective in terms of stability and maintenance of fracture reduction. Level of Evidence II, Systematic Review of Level II or Level I Studies with discrepant results.

Objetivo: Comparar os desfechos da estabilização cirúrgica das fraturas supracondilianas do úmero pediátricas com o uso de fios de Kirschner cruzados versus fios laterais divergentes. Métodos: Trata-se de uma Revisão Sistemática com metanálise realizada pela pesquisa nas bases de dados MEDLINE/PubMed, Science Direct e Scielo. Nessas, a busca dos periódicos foi realizada entre janeiro e agosto de 2023, e foram encontrados 695 estudos. Para a avaliação da sua qualidade, foram utilizadas a escala de Jadad e a escala MINORS. A seleção e a leitura dos artigos pertinentes foram realizadas pelos pesquisadores e 11 estudos preencheram os critérios de escolha. Resultados: Dos estudos selecionados, agrupamos 963 pacientes que preenchiam os critérios para o tratamento cirúrgico das fraturas. Após a análise estatística, observamos que maior incidência de lesão do nervo ulnar quando foi utilizada a técnica de pinagem cruzada; e a fixação lateral demonstrou ser mais segura para tal. Conclusão: Ambas as técnicas de fixação determinam bons resultados funcionais. Entretanto, a fixação com fios de Kirschner laterais demonstra ser mais segura, considerando o risco de lesão iatrogênica do nervo ulnar. A fixação com fios cruzados é mais eficaz, levando em conta a estabilidade e a manutenção da redução das fraturas. Nível de evidência II, Revisão sistemática de Estudos de Nível II ou Nível I com resultados discrepantes.

Microporous titanium and hydroxyapatite improve fixation of the tibial wall in unicompartmental knee replacement.

PURPOSE: Cementless Oxford unicompartmental knee replacement (OUKR) is associated with less pain than cemented OUKR 5 years postoperatively. This may be due to improved fixation at the tibial wall, which transmits tension and reduces stress in the bone below the tibial component. This study compares tibial wall fixation with three different types of fixation: cemented, cementless with hydroxyapatite (HA) and cementless with a microporous titanium coat and HA (HA + MPC). METHODS: Three consecutive cohorts were identified (n = 221 cemented in 2005-2007, n = 118 HA in 2014-2015, n = 125 HA + MPC in 2016-2017). Analysis was performed on anterior-posterior radiographs aligned on the tibial component taken 1-2 years postoperatively. Aligned radiographs are needed to see narrow radiolucencies adjacent to the wall. Alignment was assessed with rotation ratio (RR = wall width/internal wall height). Perfect RR is 0.3, and a maximum threshold of 0.5 was used. Quality of fixation to the wall was assessed with fixation ratio (FR = bone wall contact height/total wall height). Notable radiographic features at the tibial wall were also recorded. RESULTS: A total of 33 knees with cement, 37 knees with cementless with HA and 57 knees cementless with HA + MPC had adequately aligned radiographs. Fixation was significantly better with HA compared with cement (55% vs. 25%, p = 0.0016). The microporous coat further improved fixation (81% vs. 55%, p < 0.0001). FR > 80% was achieved in 3% of the cemented implants, 32% of HA and 68% of HA + MPC. In cementless cohorts, features suggestive of a layer of bone that had delaminated from the wall were seen in 8 (22%) HA and 3 (5%) HA + MPC knees. CONCLUSION: Radiographic tibial wall fixation in OUKR is poor with cement. It improves with an HA coating and improves further with an intermediary MPC. Improved tibial wall fixation may explain the lower levels of pain observed with cementless rather than cemented fixation described in the literature, but further clinical correlation is needed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Supracondylar fractures in children: a systematic review of treatment options / Fraturas supracondilianas infantis: revisão sistemática de opções de tratamento

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the outcomes of surgical stabilization of pediatric supracondylar humeral fractures with the use of crossed Kirschner wires versus divergent lateral pinning wires. Methods: This is a systematic review with meta-analysis carried out by searching the MEDLINE/PubMed, Science Direct and Scielo databases. In these, the search for journals was carried out between January and August 2023, where 695 studies were found. To assess the quality of the studies, the Jadad and the MINORS scales were used.. The selection and reading of relevant articles were carried out by the researchers and 11 studies met the selection criteria. Results: From the 11 selected studies, 963 patients who met the criteria for the surgical treatment of these fractures were grouped. After the statistical analysis, we found that the ulnar nerve injury had a higher incidence when the crossed-K wire technique was used; and the lateral fixation is safer for the ulnar nerve. Conclusion: Both fixation techniques determine good functional results. However, fixation with lateral Kirschner wires proves to be safer considering the risk of iatrogenic injury to the ulnar nerve. Crossed-K wire fixation is more effective in terms of stability and maintenance of fracture reduction. Level of Evidence II, Systematic Review of Level II or Level I Studies with discrepant results.

RESUMO Objetivo: Comparar os desfechos da estabilização cirúrgica das fraturas supracondilianas do úmero pediátricas com o uso de fios de Kirschner cruzados versus fios laterais divergentes. Métodos: Trata-se de uma Revisão Sistemática com metanálise realizada pela pesquisa nas bases de dados MEDLINE/PubMed, Science Direct e Scielo. Nessas, a busca dos periódicos foi realizada entre janeiro e agosto de 2023, e foram encontrados 695 estudos. Para a avaliação da sua qualidade, foram utilizadas a escala de Jadad e a escala MINORS. A seleção e a leitura dos artigos pertinentes foram realizadas pelos pesquisadores e 11 estudos preencheram os critérios de escolha. Resultados: Dos estudos selecionados, agrupamos 963 pacientes que preenchiam os critérios para o tratamento cirúrgico das fraturas. Após a análise estatística, observamos que maior incidência de lesão do nervo ulnar quando foi utilizada a técnica de pinagem cruzada; e a fixação lateral demonstrou ser mais segura para tal. Conclusão: Ambas as técnicas de fixação determinam bons resultados funcionais. Entretanto, a fixação com fios de Kirschner laterais demonstra ser mais segura, considerando o risco de lesão iatrogênica do nervo ulnar. A fixação com fios cruzados é mais eficaz, levando em conta a estabilidade e a manutenção da redução das fraturas. Nível de evidência II, Revisão sistemática de Estudos de Nível II ou Nível I com resultados discrepantes.

Elbow to digit measurements as a preoperative adjunct tool to aid intramedullary femoral nail selection - the rule of thumb.

BACKGROUND: Intramedullary femoral nails are measured intraoperatively using fluoroscopy. This study aims to investigate whether distance from the olecranon to fingertips can be used to estimate nail length preoperatively by evaluating agreement of the two measurements. Such preoperative measurements may provide a likely range of nails needed for theatre and serve as an adjunct to intraoperative measurements. METHODS: In 70 patients, long leg radiographs were used to make linear measurements from the piriformis fossa and greater trochanter to the distal physeal scar of the femur. These were compared to measurements from the olecranon to the tip of each digit and Bland-Altman agreement analysis was performed. Train and Trial groups were formed to develop models for estimation and to then test their accuracy. RESULTS: Bland-Altman analysis revealed a fixed bias, indicative of average difference between measurements, of 1.4 cm when comparing the elbow-thumb length to maximum femoral nail length for piriformis fossa entry and 3.5 cm using greater trochanter entry, informing the "rule of thumb". Elbow-thumb length plus 1.4 cm or 3.5 cm predicts nail length to a range of ± one nail increment. The rule can be used to preoperatively predict a range of three nails from which there is a 94-97% likelihood the appropriate intramedullary nail would be selected. CONCLUSIONS: The "rule of thumb" may serve as a simple to use tool for preoperative planning and a technical check to assess the "reasonableness" of intraoperative measurements before implantation of the device. It has the potential to reduce operating time and nail wastage.

Biocompatibility and degradation comparisons of four biodegradable copolymeric osteosynthesis systems used in maxillofacial surgery: A goat model with four years follow-up.

Applying biodegradable osteosyntheses avoids the disadvantages of titanium osteosyntheses. However, foreign-body reactions remain a major concern and evidence of complete resorption is lacking. This study compared the physico-chemical properties, histological response and radiographs of four copolymeric biodegradable osteosynthesis systems in a goat model with 48-months follow-up. The systems were implanted subperiosteally in both tibia and radius of 12 Dutch White goats. The BioSorb FX [poly(70LLA-co-30DLLA)], Inion CPS [poly([70-78.5]LLA-co-[16-24]DLLA-co-4TMC)], SonicWeld Rx [poly(DLLA)], LactoSorb [poly(82LLA-co-18GA)] systems and a negative control were randomly implanted in each extremity. Samples were assessed at 6-, 12-, 18-, 24-, 36-, and 48-month follow-up. Surface topography was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Differential scanning calorimetry and gel permeation chromatography were performed on initial and explanted samples. Histological sections were systematically assessed by two blinded researchers using (polarized) light microscopy, SEM and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. The SonicWeld Rx system was amorphous while the others were semi-crystalline. Foreign-body reactions were not observed during the complete follow-up. The SonicWeld Rx and LactoSorb systems reached bone percentages of negative controls after 18 months while the BioSorb Fx and Inion CPS systems reached these levels after 36 months. The SonicWeld Rx system showed the most predictable degradation profile. All the biodegradable systems were safe to use and well-tolerated (i.e., complete implant replacement by bone, no clinical or histological foreign body reactions, no [sterile] abscess formation, no re-interventions needed), but nanoscale residual polymeric fragments were observed at every system's assessment.

Assessment of the geometry of proximal femur for short cephalomedullary nail placement: An observational study in dry femora and living subjects.

BACKGROUND: Intramedullary devices have increasingly become popular and are widely used for fixation of unstable intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures. These implants have been designed taking into consideration of the anthropometry of the western population which varies from those of other ethnic groups. This study was carried out to assess the geometry of proximal femur for the placement of short cephalomedullary nails in our subset of patients and suggest suitable design modifications based on these parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in the following three groups: (1) Anthropometric study of 101 adult human dry femora, (2) radiographs of the same femora, and (3) radiographs of the contralateral uninjured limb of 102 patients with intertrochanteric or subtrochanteric fractures. In Group 1, standard anthropometric techniques were used to measure neck shaft angle (NSA), minimal neck width (NW), trochanteric offset, and distance from the tip of greater trochanter (GT) to the lower border of lesser trochanter on the femoral shaft axis (distance X). In Group 2 and 3, the NSA, minimal NW, NW at 130° and 135°, trochanteric shaft angle (TSA), trochanteric offset, distance X, distance between the tip of GT and the point where the neck axis crosses the line joining the tip of the GT to the lower border of the lesser trochanter on the femoral shaft axis (distance Y), and canal width at 10, 15, and 20 cm from tip of GT were measured on standard radiographs. The values obtained in these three groups were pooled to obtain mean values. Various parameters of commonly used short cephalomedullary nails available for fixation of pertrochanteric fractures were obtained. These were compared to the results obtained to suggest suitable modifications in the nail designs for our subset of patients. RESULTS: The mean parameters observed were as follows: NSA 128.07° ± 4.97 (range 107°-141°), minimum NW 29.0 ± 2.8 mm (range 22-42 mm), NW at 130° 30.12 ± 2.86 mm (range 22.2-42.5 mm), NW at 135° 30.66 ± 3.02 mm (range 22.8-40.3 mm), TSA 10.45° ± 2.34° (range 3°-15.5°), distance X 65.73 ± 6.45 mm (range 28.6-88.4 mm), distance Y 38 ± 4.91 mm (range 16.6-55.3 mm), and canal width at 10, 15, and 20 cm from the tip of GT 13.46 ± 2.34 mm, 11.40 ± 2.27 mm, and 11.64 ± 2.04 mm, respectively. CONCLUSION: The measurements of the proximal femur are not significantly different from other ethnic groups and are adequate to accept the current commonly available short cephalomedullary nails. However, certain modifications in the presently available short cephalomedullary nail designs are recommended for them to better fit the anatomy of our subset of population (a) two nails of 125° and 135°, (b) the medio-lateral angle at the level of 65 mm from the tip of the nail, (c) two femoral neck screw placements (35 and 45 mm from the tip of the nail), and (d) five different sizes of distal width for better fit in canal (9-13 mm).

Mechanical testing of internal fixation devices: A theoretical and practical examination of current methods.

Successful healing of long bone fractures is dependent on the mechanical environment created within the fracture, which in turn is dependent on the fixation strategy. Recent literature reports have suggested that locked plating devices are too stiff to reliably promote healing. However, in vitro testing of these devices has been inconsistent in both method of constraint and reported outcomes, making comparisons between studies and the assessment of construct stiffness problematic. Each of the methods previously used in the literature were assessed for their effect on the bending of the sample and concordant stiffness. The choice of outcome measures used in in vitro fracture studies was also assessed. Mechanical testing was conducted on seven hole locked plated constructs in each method for comparison. Based on the assessment of each method the use of spherical bearings, ball joints or similar is suggested at both ends of the sample. The use of near and far cortex movement was found to be more comprehensive and more accurate than traditional centrally calculated interfragmentary movement values; stiffness was found to be highly susceptible to the accuracy of deformation measurements and constraint method, and should only be used as a within study comparison method. The reported stiffness values of locked plate constructs from in vitro mechanical testing is highly susceptible to testing constraints and output measures, with many standard techniques overestimating the stiffness of the construct. This raises the need for further investigation into the actual mechanical behaviour within the fracture gap of these devices.

Oral antibiotic treatment of staphylococcal bone and joint infections in adults.

Bone and joint infections, especially implant-associated infections, are difficult to cure. Long-term antibiotic therapy, combined with appropriate surgery and the removal of prostheses, is required. The most common causative organisms in bone and joint infections are staphylococci. Oral agents are often used after an initial course of parenteral antibiotic treatment. However, it is unclear which oral regimens are most effective in staphylococcal bone and joint infections. We review various oral antibiotic regimens and discuss which regimens are effective for this indication.

Evolução psicossomática e clínica de pacientes com estenose do canal lombar operados com sistema interespinhoso / Psychosomatic and clinical progression of patients with stenosis of lumbar canal undergoing surgery with interspinous system / Evolución psicosomática y clínica de los pacientes con cirugía de estenosis del canal lumbar con sistema interespinoso

OBJETIVO: Procuramos avaliar a eficácia terapêutica de estabilizadores interespinosos na doença degenerativa lombar, e a evolução do índice de depressão e somatização de sintomas preexistentes nesses pacientes. MÉTODOS: Estudamos 20 pacientes com estenose de canal lombar. Considerados diversos critérios de inclusão, os pacientes concordaram em participar do estudo assinando o consentimento livre e esclarecido. Na avaliação clínica e psicossomática utilizamos: Escore Euroqol (EQ-5D); escala visual analógica (EVA) lombar e dos membros inferiores; Oswestry Disability Index versão 2.0 e Modified Somatic Perception Questionnaire (MSPQ) e Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZDS). A análise estatística foi realizada com os testes de Friedman e Wilcoxon, sendo o nível de significância 0,05. RESULTADOS: Existiu uma melhoria em EQ-5D (p<0,001), EVA lombar e dos membros inferiores (p<0,001), ODI (p<0,001), sem alterações significativas no MSPQ (p=0,197). CONCLUSÃO: Em pacientes com doença degenerativa lombar (grau 2 e 3 de Benzel e 3 e 4 de Pfirmann), estáveis em termos psicossomáticos, o uso de estabilizadores interespinosos revelou-se eficaz considerando a evolução clínica e o índice de depressão preexistente relacionado com a patologia diagnosticada.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of interspinous spacers in degenerative lumbar disease and the evolution of patient’s depression status and somatization preexisting symptoms. METHODS: 20 patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis were evaluated. Considering the different inclusion criteria, patients agreed to participate in the study by signing the written consent form. For clinical and psychosomatic assessment we used Euroqol Score (EQ-5D) for lumbar spine and lower limbs, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS); Oswestry Disability Index version 2.0 and Modified Somatic Perception Questionnaire (MSPQ); and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZDS). Statistical analysis was performed using Friedman and Wilcoxon tests, with significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: There was an improvement in EQ-5D (p<0.001), VAS for lumbar spine and lower limbs (p<0.001), ODI (p<0.001), without significant changes in MSPQ (p=0.197). CONCLUSION: In patients with degenerative lumbar disease (Benzel grade 2, 3 and Pfirmann grade 3, 4) and stable in psychosomatic terms, the use of interspinous spacers proved effective clinical progression and improved the rate of depression related to the pre-existing pathology.

OBJETIVO: Intentamos determinar la eficacia de estabilizadores interespinosos en patología degenerativa lumbar, y la evolución de los síntomas de depresión y somatización preexistentes en los pacientes. MÉTODOS: Estudiamos 20 pacientes con estenosis del canal lumbar. Después de considerar varios criterios de inclusión todos los pacientes dieran su consentimiento libre, previo e informado. Para la evaluación clínica y psicosomática se utilizaran: Puntuación EuroQol (EQ-5D), Escala Visual Analógica (EVA) de la columna lumbar y de as miembros inferiores, Oswestry Disability Index versión 2.0 y Modified Somatic Perception Questionnaire (MSPQ), y Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZDS). El análisis estadístico se realizó a través de pruebas de Friedman y Wilcoxon, con nivel de significancia 0.05. RESULTADOS: Hubo una mejora en la EQ-5D (p<0,001), EVA de columna lumbar y miembros inferiores (p<0,001), ODI (p<0,001), sin cambios significativos en MSPQ (p = 0,197). CONCLUSIÓN: En pacientes con enfermedad lumbar degenerativa (grado 2/3 de Benzel y 3/4 de Pfirmann) y estabilidad psicosomática, los estabilizadores interespinosos fueran eficaces, mejorando también la tasa de depresión relacionada con la patología preexistente.

Osteossíntese das fraturas diafisárias da criança com hastes intramedulares flexíveis / Osteosynthesis of children shaft fractures with flexible intramedullary nails

O tratamento de algumas das fraturas da criança tem sofrido modificações nos últimos anos, com o objetivo de obtenção de resultados mais satisfatórios, restrição do tempo de incapacidade e para melhor corresponder às expectativas da família. Isso é especialmente válido para as fraturas diafisárias de alguns ossos longos com o tratamento feito por hastes intramedulares elásticas. Esse tratamento é de baixa morbidade, respeita a biologia e a biomecânica da fratura e permite consolidação óssea por mecanismo secundário, com a formação de calo ósseo. Entretanto, requer implantes, instrumental e conhecimento técnico do cirurgião, pois os maus resultados relacionam-se diretamente com falhas técnicas. Atualmente, os ossos que mais se prestam para esse tipo de fixação, em relação à prioridade, são: fêmur, rádio, ulna, tíbia e úmero. O objetivo deste texto de atualização foi analisar a literatura e fornecer informações fundamentais para o conhecimento do método.

The treatment of some fractures in children has changed over the last years aiming at improving results, shortening the time of physical limitation, and meeting family expectations. This is particularly true when long bone shaft fractures are involved and when treatment is carried out with elastic nails. This technique carries low morbidity, respects the biology and the biomechanics of the reparative process and allows secondary healing with osseous callus formation. Nevertheless, the technique requires adequate surgical implants, proper instruments and trained surgeons, since complications are related mainly to technical pitfalls. The technique has been used for the following bones: femur, radius and ulna, tibia and humerus. The objective of the present update was to review and to analyze the literature so as to present basic information about the treatment of diaphyseal fractures of some long bones of children with flexible nails.