Modular endoprosthetic replacement for failed internal fixation of the proximal femur following trauma.

PURPOSE: Although originally designed for reconstruction after primary malignant bone tumour resection, modular endoprosthetic replacement (EPR) can be used in salvage surgery for complex periprosthetic fracture and failed internal fixation. The purpose of this study was to assess the functional outcome following EPR for failed internal fixation of the proximal femur. METHODS: We assessed clinical and functional outcomes of using a modular tumour endoprosthesis to reconstruct the proximal femur following failed internal fixation in eight consecutive patients between 2001 and 2008. RESULTS: There were four men and four women, with a mean age of 67.5 (range 50-79) years and a mean follow-up of 16.5 (6-36) months. All patients had failed internal fixation for traumatic proximal femoral fractures--four 31.A2.3, two 31.A3.1, two 31.A3.3 using the Arbeitsgemeinshaft für Osteosynthesefragen (AO) fracture classification. Mean time from the first attempted internal fixation to definitive EPR was 34 (6-102) months, and the median number of previous surgical procedures was two (1-11). Histology revealed infection (two cases), uninfected nonunion (five cases) and plasmocytoma (one case). The EPR was carried out as a one-stage procedure in six cases and a two-stage procedure in two cases. Mean postoperative Harris Hip Score was 71.4 (range 64-85). There were no surgical complications. One patient died as a result of systemic complications of myeloma several years following EPR. CONCLUSIONS: EPR is an effective salvage procedure for failed fixation of traumatic proximal femoral fractures. Immediate weightbearing and a good functional outcome can be expected in this difficult group of patients.

Reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament using a longitudinal patellar tunnel technique.

Patellar instability is a common clinical problem affecting a young, active population. A large number of procedures have been described to treat patellar instability. We present the clinical results in a case series of 25 medial patellofemoral ligament reconstructions in 21 patients with up to 30 months follow-up (mean: 7.3). Reconstruction was performed using either the gracilis or semitendinosus tendon autograft. The Tegner activity score improved overall from 3 to 4.4 at follow-up and the mean follow-up Kujala score was 87 (range: 55-100). No patella redislocations were observed. Five patients (20%) required a manipulation under anaesthetic but subsequently regained a satisfactory range of motion. Medial patellofemoral reconstruction with both gracilis and semitendinosus tendon graft using a longitudinal tunnel technique provided good post-operative stability restoring the primary soft tissue restraint to pathological lateral patellar displacement with no complications of post-operative patellar fracture.

Combined syringe cement pressurisation and intra-osseous suction: an effective technique in total knee arthroplasty.

Our study looked at the short and medium-term results of a cost-effective technique of bone surface preparation and cement introduction in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Numerous factors determine the outcome following TKA. Early failure and component loosening have been attributed to inadequate bone-cement and prosthesis-cement interfaces, established at the time of surgery. Various operative techniques have been reported to achieve effective cement penetration and inter-digitation into cancellous bone, with techniques of cement pressurization and intra-osseous suction being employed. We have devised a technique of cement pressurization using a modified standard 20 ml syringe, combined with intra-osseous suction. Retrospective evaluation of a series of 50 post-operative radiographs has shown that effective and even penetration of cement to a depth of 8.0 to 10.6 mm can be achieved consistently with this technique, during TKA, without the use of tourniquet. In addition evaluation of post-operative plain radiographs with minimum follow-up of 5 years showed 16 knees with minor, non-progressive lucent lines around the tibial component with a maximum Knee Society TKA Roentgenographic score of 2. To conclude we propose that this simple technique of surface preparation and cement introduction produces good results in the short and medium-term.

'War surgery at sea': maritime trauma experience in the Gulf War 2003.

During the second Gulf War in 2003, the Primary Casualty Receiving facility onboard R.F.A. Argus treated thirty six patients with injuries sustained in the conflict, including thirty Iraqi enemy prisoners of war and displaced persons. Their injuries and operative management are reported. Eighteen casualties sustained fragmentation injuries, six casualties sustained gunshot wounds and seven casualties suffered a combination of both. In addition to penetrating missile injuries five casualties from road traffic accidents were treated. All wounds were managed following the established principles of war surgery. The extremities were involved in twenty eight patients (78%) including nine open, multifragmented long bone fractures which were managed with external skeletal fixators. Two laparotomies and one thoracotomy were performed. The average duration of surgery was one hundred and thirty two minutes with the longest procedure lasting for six hours and ten minutes. This was the first time that the Primary Casualty Receiving Facility had been used to surgically manage war casualties and it fulfilled this role to good effect.