Preventing Surgical Site Infections in Geriatric Ankle Fracture Surgery with Closed-Incision Vacuum Therapy: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Ankle fractures are among the most common fractures in older adult patients that need surgical treatment. The risk of surgical site infections (SSIs) after ankle fracture surgery ranges between 0.5% and 30%; SSI incidence is higher among older adults. Further, SSIs have significant consequences for subjective functional outcomes and create a need for prolonged intravenous antibiotic therapy and wound care. Accordingly, it is critical to determine risk factors for and establish optimal postoperative wound care to prevent SSIs. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the pilot study was to examine the feasibility of closed-incision vacuum therapy (CIVT) to reduce rates of SSI in older adults. METHODS: The authors performed a pilot study of a CIVT system in a population of 10 older adult patients after ankle fracture surgery. RESULTS: Nine patients experienced uncomplicated wound healing of the lateral incision. One patient (10%) developed an SSI after premature removal of the vacuum system because of technical failure. Six weeks postoperation, overall satisfaction with the CIVT was high; none of the participants complained of incapacitating discomfort or disruptive limitations in postsurgical recovery. CONCLUSIONS: The authors conclude that CIVT is a feasible, safe, and generally well-tolerated therapy to prevent SSIs in postoperative wound healing after open reduction and internal fixation in older adult patients after ankle fracture.

Systematic Review of Innovative Diagnostic Tests for Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome.

The diagnosis chronic exertional compartment syndrome is traditionally linked to elevated intracompartmental pressures, although uncertainty regarding this diagnostic instrument is increasing. The aim of current review was to evaluate literature for alternative diagnostic tests. A search in line with PRISMA criteria was conducted. Studies evaluating diagnostic tests for chronic exertional compartment syndrome other than intracompartmental pressure measurements were included. Bias and quality of studies were evaluated using the Oxford Levels of Evidence and the QUADAS-2 instrument. A total of 28 studies met study criteria (MRI n=8, SPECT n=6, NIRS n=4, MRI and NIRS together n=1, miscellaneous modalities n=9). Promising results were reported for MRI (n=4), NIRS (n=4) and SPECT (n=3). These imaging techniques rely on detecting changes of signal intensity in manually selected regions of interest in the muscle compartments of the leg. Yet, diagnostic tools and protocols were diverse. Moreover, five studies explored alternative modalities serving as an adjunct, rather than replacing pressure measurements. Future research is warranted as clinical and methodological heterogeneity were present and high quality validation studies were absent. Further optimization of specific key criteria based on a patient's history, physical examination and symptom provocation may potentially render intracompartmental pressure measurement redundant.

Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome in the Leg: Comparing Surgery to Conservative Therapy.

The aim of this nonrandomized cohort study was to compare the clinical effectiveness of an elective fasciotomy with conservative treatment for chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the leg. Patients diagnosed with chronic exertional compartment syndrome who opted for surgery (n=188) completed a preoperative questionnaire and a 12-month postoperative questionnaire. Patients who continued conservative treatments (n=23) served as controls. Gender, age, sports activity or affected compartments were comparable, but intensity of pain was higher in the surgical group (at rest: 2.5±0.1 vs. 2.0±0.2, during exercise: 4.2±0.1 vs. 3.8±0.2; both p<0.05). Following treatment, surgical patients demonstrated a larger drop in intensity levels of pain (surgery 1.6±0.1, conservative 0.9±0.2, p=0.01) and tightness (surgery 1.4±0.1, conservative 0.4±0.3, p=0.00) during exercise. Success (good or excellent treatment effect) was attained in 42% of the surgical group compared to only 17% in the conservatively treated group (p=0.02). However, previous activity level was achieved in a mere 26% in the surgical treatment group and 35% in the conservative treatment group (p=0.33). A fasciotomy for chronic exertional compartment syndrome in the leg results in significantly decreased levels of pain and tightness and better satisfaction compared to patients who continued a conservative treatment regimen.

Systematic review of outcome parameters following treatment of chronic exertional compartment syndrome in the lower leg.

OBJECTIVE: Surgery is the gold standard in the management of chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) of the lower extremity, although recent studies also reported success following gait retraining. Outcome parameters are diverse, and reporting is not standardized. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the current evidence regarding treatment outcome of CECS in the lower leg. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A literature search and systematic analysis were performed according to the PRISMA criteria. Studies reporting on outcome following treatment of lower leg CECS were included. RESULTS: A total of 68 reports fulfilled study criteria (n =; 3783; age range 12-70 year; 7:4 male-to-female ratio). Conservative interventions such as gait retraining (n =; 2) and botulinum injection (n =; 1) decreased ICP ( x -  =; 68 mm Hg to x -  =; 32 mm Hg) and resulted in a 47% (±42%) rate of satisfaction and a 50% (±45%) rate of return to physical activity. Fasciotomy significantly decreased ICP ( x -  =; 76 mm Hg to x -  =; 24 mm Hg) and was associated with an 85% (±13%) rate of satisfaction and an 80% (±17%) rate of return to activity. Return to activity was significantly more often achieved (P < .01) in surgically treated patients, except in one study favoring gait retraining in army personnel. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of CECS in the lower leg results in higher rates of satisfaction and return to activity, compared to conservative treatment. However, the number of studies is limited and the level of evidence is low. Randomized controlled trials with multiple treatment arms and standardized outcome parameters are needed.

Effect of Antibiotic Prophylaxis on Surgical Site Infections Following Removal of Orthopedic Implants Used for Treatment of Foot, Ankle, and Lower Leg Fractures: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Following clean (class I, not contaminated) surgical procedures, the rate of surgical site infection (SSI) should be less than approximately 2%. However, an infection rate of 12.2% has been reported following removal of orthopedic implants used for treatment of fractures below the knee. Objective: To evaluate the effect of a single dose of preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis on the incidence of SSIs following removal of orthopedic implants used for treatment of fractures below the knee. Design, Setting, and Participants: Multicenter, double-blind, randomized clinical trial including 500 patients aged 18 to 75 years with previous surgical treatment for fractures below the knee who were undergoing removal of orthopedic implants from 19 hospitals (17 teaching and 2 academic) in the Netherlands (November 2014-September 2016), with a follow-up of 6 months (final follow-up, March 28, 2017). Exclusion criteria were an active infection or fistula, antibiotic treatment, reimplantation of osteosynthesis material in the same session, allergy for cephalosporins, known kidney disease, immunosuppressant use, or pregnancy. Interventions: A single preoperative intravenous dose of 1000 mg of cefazolin (cefazolin group, n = 228) or sodium chloride (0.9%; saline group, n = 242). Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcome was SSI within 30 days as measured by the criteria from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Secondary outcome measures were functional outcome, health-related quality of life, and patient satisfaction. Results: Among 477 randomized patients (mean age, 44 years [SD, 15]; women, 274 [57%]; median time from orthopedic implant placement, 11 months [interquartile range, 7-16]), 470 patients completed the study. Sixty-six patients developed an SSI (14.0%): 30 patients (13.2%) in the cefazolin group vs 36 in the saline group (14.9%) (absolute risk difference, -1.7 [95% CI, -8.0 to 4.6], P = .60). Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients undergoing surgery for removal of orthopedic implants used for treatment of fractures below the knee, a single preoperative dose of intravenous cefazolin compared with saline did not reduce the risk of surgical site infection within 30 days following implant removal. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02225821.

Xiphodynia as an Unusual Cause of Chest Pain: A Case Series.

Introduction Treatment options for xiphodynia are injections with local corticosteroid injections or surgical resection of the xiphoid process. Currently, there is no consensus as to which treatment is the most optimal. Objectives The aim of this case series was to compare the safety and efficacy of conservative and surgical treatment for patients with xiphodynia. Patients and Methods A retrospective case series was performed. All patients presenting with xiphodynia between 2016 and 2021 were eligible. Demographic data and treatment regimes, including preoperative work-up and surgical technique, were extracted from the electronic patient files. In addition, all patients received a follow-up phone call with a questionnaire. Patient satisfaction was measured using the Numeric Rating Scale. Results A total of five patients, suffering from xiphodynia for up to 10 years, completed the follow-up questionnaire (median patient age, 57 years; range 51-68 years). Three of these patients initially received conservative treatment with local injections with corticosteroids for at least 6 months. One patient was satisfied with the results and did not opt for surgical treatment. Eventually, four patients were treated surgically by removing the xiphoid process. No postoperative complications were recorded and 100% of the patients who underwent a xiphoidectomy were free of symptoms and satisfied with the results. Conclusion Symptoms related to xiphodynia can be relieved using conservative or surgical treatment, where the latter seems to be a safe and effective solution.

Rupture of the brachioradialis muscle following blunt trauma. A case report.

A 50-year old healthy male lost control over the pull string of a milling machine, which strangulated his right elbow and forearm with high velocity. Magnetic resonance imaging of the right upper extremity revealed a substantial tear in the muscle belly of the musculus brachioradialis with multiple small defects in the surrounding musculature of the forearm. The affected arm was immobilized for 1 week with an above the elbow cast. In the following months, guided training and strengthening exercises were performed. The patient could return to his physically demanding work after 10 months and regained full function of his hand and wrist after 18 months. This case report demonstrates that short immobilization followed by extensive and guided strength training has been observed to result in persisting weakness of elbow flexion but good functional outcome for the wrist and hand.

Applicability of devices available for the measurement of intracompartmental pressures: a cadaver study.

PURPOSE: The indication for surgical treatment of the chronic exertional compartment syndrome is evaluated by measuring intracompartmental pressures. The validity of these invasive intracompartmental pressure measurements are increasingly questioned in the absence of a standardized test protocol and uniform cut-off values. The aim of the current study was to test compartment pressure monitors and needles for uniformity, thereby supporting the physician's choice in the selection of appropriate test materials. METHODS: A compartment syndrome was simulated in embalmed above-knee cadaveric leg specimen. Four different terminal devices (Compass manometer, Stryker device, Meritrans transduce, and arterial line) were tested with 22 different needle types. Legs were pressurized after introduction of the four terminal devices in the anterior compartment, using the same needle type. Pressure was recorded at a 30-second interval for 11 minutes in total. Before and after pressurization, the intravenous bag of saline was weighed. RESULTS: The simulation of a compartment syndrome resulted in intracompartmental pressure values exceeding 100 mmHg in 17 of the 22 legs (77%). In the other five legs, a smaller built-up of pressure was seen, although maximum intracompartmental pressure was in between 70 and 100 mmHg. The intraclass correlation coefficient was above 0.700 for all possible needle types. Excellent to good resemblance was seen in 16 out of 22 instrumental setups (73%). The mean volume of saline infusion required in runs that exceeded 100 mmHg (309 ± 116 ml) was significantly lower compared to the legs in which 100 mmHg was not achieved (451 ± 148 ml; p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: The intracompartmental pressure recordings of the four terminal devices were comparable, when tested with a standardized pressurization model in a human cadaver model. None of the included terminal devices or needle types were found to be superior. The results provide evidence for more diverse material selection when logistic choices for intracompartmental pressure measurement devices are warranted. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

False aneurysm of the profunda femoris artery, a rare complication of a proximal femoral fracture.

The authors describe a false aneurysm of the profunda femoris artery caused by a bony fragment from the lesser trochanter after a proximal femoral fracture. False aneurysm as a complication of a hip fracture is rare; however it is essential to consider the possibility, more even so if there is inexplicable persisting pain after internal fixation. Symptoms are sometimes diffi-cult to judge, as they can be almost identical to usual symptoms after an operated hip fracture. In this case we present a female patient with persistent pain after a surgically fixed proximal femoral fracture. CT scan showed a false aneurysm caused by a bony fragment of the lesser trochanter. Because of the persisting mechanical stress from the bony fragment we decided to explore the false aneurysm and to remove the bony fragment. It is essential to be aware of adjacent vascular and neurological structures when a fracture is seen and operated on.

An avulsion fracture of the calcaneal tuberosity: delay of treatment causes the 'Achilles heel' of optimal recovery.

A 72-year-old woman was diagnosed with an avulsion fracture of the tuberosity of the calcaneus. The fracture was planned for elective fixation 12 days after the accident. The planned open reduction and internal fixation was not possible due to a decubital wound on the Achilles heel as a result of pressure on the skin of the fractured tuberosity. Closed reduction and internal fixation was performed, leading to an acceptable outcome. Avulsion fractures of the tuberosity of the calcaneus are rare injuries, and delay in treatment should be avoided as it may lead to preventable complications.

Gastric perforation due to foreign body ingestion mimicking acute cholecystitis.

An 82-year-old man presented with signs and symptoms that were suggestive of acute cholecystitis. He underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. During the intervention, a wooden foreign body was removed from the infiltrated omentum, probably after it had perforated the gastric antrum. The gastric perforation had led to a secondary infection of the gallbladder. The presumed gastric perforation was treated conservatively, and the patient recovered well and was discharged after 7 days. Secondary inflamed gallbladders are rare; the current case is, to the best of our knowledge, the first case reporting a secondary infection of the gallbladder due to a gastric perforation. Clinicians should be aware of possible ingestion of foreign bodies in elderly patients wearing dental prosthetic devices.

Pathological fractures in a patient with chronic lymphatic leucaemia without disease progression.

We describe a case of a 59-year-old woman with a medical history of upper leg pain and chronic lymphatic leucaemia (CLL), with known diffuse bone marrow infiltration and without signs of lymphatic or extra-lymphatic disease activity on positron emission tomography CT (PET-CT). She presented with multiple fractures of the pelvis, sacrum and left proximal femur as a result of a low energy fall. During admission, she sustained a non-traumatic fracture of the right proximal femur. Pathological fractures in patients with CLL are usually based on Richter's transformation or multiple myeloma. However, in the current case, a PET-CT and a bone marrow biopsy showed no signs of this. We did see a normoparathyroid hypercalcaemia in our patient, most likely caused by a CLL-based release of local osteoclast stimulating factors. A combination of fludarabine/cyclofosfamide/rituximab was started as treatment in combination with allopurinol and sodium bicarbonate to prevent further osteolysis.

Cystic schwannoma of the recurrent laryngeal nerve: a rare finding posing diagnostic difficulties.

A 49-year-old woman with a painless mass in the neck was examined by the surgeon. Imaging and cytology prior to surgery suggested the mass to be either a thyroid cyst or a branchial cleft cyst. After surgery, the patient reported a hoarse voice and the pathologist confirmed the removed lesion to be a cystic schwannoma of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve. The inconclusive imaging results, combined with colloid-like material in the punctate should prompt the investigator to include cystic schwannoma in the differential diagnosis. With the probability of a neurogenic origin of the mass in mind, nerve-sparing surgery can be performed. As a future prospect, positron emission tomography scans are mentioned as a modality with possibilities to discriminate a cystic schwannoma from other common cystic lesions.

[A woman with a large tumor in the lower neck]. / Een vrouw met een grote zwelling laag in de hals.

A patient with a tumor in the lower neck regions, originated in days, was seen at the emergency department. Initial investigations showed a non-ill patient with increased infection parameters. Further investigations showed a septic arthritis of the left sternoclavicular joint.

A case of bowel entrapment after penetrating injury of the pelvis: don't forget the omentumplasty.

Bowel entrapment within a pelvic injury is rare and difficult to diagnose. Usually, it is diagnosed late because of concomitant abdominal injuries. It may present itself as an acute intestinal obstruction or, more commonly, as a prolonged or intermittent ileus. Therefore, one should be aware of this late complication and primarily take measures for avoiding bowel entrapment. This report describes an unusual case of bowel entrapment within a pelvic fracture after a penetrating injury, and discusses options for preventing such a complication.