Compartment Syndrome: The Issues and Solutions You Need to Know About.

The diagnosis and management of compartment syndrome remains challenging and controversial. There continues to be a significant burden of disease and substantial resource implications associated with fractures complicated by compartment syndrome. Achieving consensus opinions regarding the diagnosis and treatment of this problem has important implications given the profound effect on patient outcomes.

Distal Radius Fractures and the Dorsal Spanning Plate in the Management of the Polytraumatized Patient.

SUMMARY: Distal radius fractures are some of the most common fractures treated by the orthopaedic surgeon. There are a variety of methods of fixation to treat these fractures; however, in patients with polytrauma and in high-energy fracture patterns, fixation options can be limited. In the past, these fractures were treated with plaster, Kirschner wires, or external fixators that were fraught with complications. The dorsal spanning plate is an excellent option in the treatment of high-energy fractures and patients with polytrauma, fractures with dorsal or volar comminution, fracture dislocations, and shear injuries, and in geriatric patients with poor bone quality. The dorsal spanning plate not only allows for fixation of these complex fractures but also allows for weight-bearing through the wrist, an advantage for patients with concomitant lower extremity fractures and geriatric patients who need mobility aides. Understanding the risks and benefits of dorsal spanning plates and their use for the treatment of polytraumatized patient is a vital base of knowledge for the orthopaedic traumatologist.

Early Outcomes After Surgical Management of Geriatric Patella Fractures.

OBJECTIVES: To report the incidence and risk factors for prolonged hospitalization, discharge to a facility, and postoperative complications in geriatric patients who underwent surgery for patella fracture. DESIGN: Retrospective database review. SETTING: The American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) collects data from 600 hospitals across the United States. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: NSQIP patients over 65 years of age with patella fractures. INTERVENTION: Surgical fixation of patella fracture including extensor mechanism repair. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Prolonged hospitalization, discharge to a facility, and 30-day post-operative complications. RESULTS: 1721 patients were included in the study. The average age was 74.9 years. 358 (20.8%) patients were male. 122 (7.1%) patients had a length of stay greater than 7 days. Factors associated with prolonged length of stay include pre-existing renal failure, need for emergent surgery, and time to surgery greater than 24 hours from admission. 640 patients (37.2%) of patients were discharged to a facility after surgery. Discharge to facility was associated with age >77 years, obesity, anemia, thrombocytopenia, pre-operative SIRS, and CCI > 0.5. Admission from home decreased the odds of discharge to a facility. The most common postoperative complications in this population were unplanned readmission (3.4%), unplanned reoperation (2.7%), surgical site infection (1.1%), mortality (1.0%), venous thromboembolism (0.8%), and wound dehiscence (0.2%). Complication rates increased with anemia and ASA class IV-V. CONCLUSIONS: Geriatric patients undergoing operative intervention for patella fractures are at high risk for prolonged hospitalization, discharge to facility, unplanned readmission or reoperation, and surgical site complications in the first 30 days following surgery. This study highlights modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors associated with adverse events. Early recognition of these factors can allow for close monitoring and multidisciplinary intervention in the perioperative period to improve outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic level III.

Acetabular Exposure Is Enhanced With Self-Retaining Retractors During Direct Anterior Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Acetabular exposure for direct anterior (DA) total hip arthroplasty (THA) can be performed using hands-free, self-retaining retractors. No current study quantitatively compares this self-retaining technique with the traditional manual technique. In 65 consecutive DA THA hips, two "best-view" digital photographs were taken of the exposure-one using Charnley/self-retaining retractors and one using a traditional three-retractor manual technique. Percent exposure of the polyethylene liner was calculated. Percent acetabular exposure averaged 80.0% using the Charnley/self-retaining technique, compared with 73.1% using the manual technique (P=.0002). A hands-free technique provides superior acetabular exposure compared with the manual technique. Increasing body mass index predicts decreasing exposure with both techniques. [Orthopedics. 2021;44(2):e309-e313.].

Flexible Fixation in Foot and Ankle Surgery.

Flexible fixation has been described and utilized in various aspects of foot and ankle surgery over the past several decades. In regards to ankle surgery, flexible fixation devices have been used for stabilization of the ankle syndesmosis and augmentation of lateral collateral ankle ligament repair. In the foot, flexible fixation devices have been incorporated into hallux valgus or varus correction, Lisfranc injury repair, and more recently spring ligament repair augmentation. This article reviews the various applications for flexible fixation in foot and ankle surgery, as well as evidence-based literature on surgical applications and clinical outcomes.