Navigated iliac screw placement may reduce radiation and OR time in lumbopelvic fixation of unstable complex sacral fractures.

PURPOSE: Instability of the posterior pelvic ring may be stabilized by lumbopelvic fixation. The optimal osseous corridor for iliac screw placement from the posterior superior iliac spine to the anterior inferior iliac spine requires multiple ap- and lateral-views with additional obturator-outlet and -inlet views. The purpose of this study was to determine if navigated iliac screw placement for lumbopelvic fixation influences surgical time, fluoroscopy time, radiation exposure, and complication rates. METHODS: Bilateral lumbopelvic fixation was performed in 63 patients. Implants were inserted as previously described by Schildhauer. A passive optoelectronic navigation system with surface matching on L4 was utilized for navigated iliac screw placement. To compare groups, demographics were assessed. Operative time, fluoroscopic time, and radiation were delineated. RESULTS: Conventional fluoroscopic imaging for lumbopelvic fixation was performed in 32 patients and 31 patients underwent the procedure with navigated iliac screw placement. No differences were found between the groups regarding demographics, comorbidities, or additional surgical procedures. Utilization of navigation led to fluoroscopy time reduction of more than 50% (3.2 vs. 8.6 min.; p < 0.001) resulting in reduced radiation (2004.5 vs. 5130.8 Gy*cm2; p < 0.001). Operative time was reduced in the navigation group (176.7 vs. 227.4 min; p = 0.002) despite the necessity of additional surface referencing. CONCLUSION: For iliac screws, identifying the correct entry point and angle of implantation requires detailed anatomic knowledge and multiple radiographic views. In our study, additional navigation reduced operative time and fluoroscopy time resulting in a significant reduction of radiation exposure for patients and OR personnel.

Outcome of periprosthetic femoral fractures following total hip replacement treated with polyaxial locking plate.

BACKGROUND: The number of patients with total hip replacement (THR) is likely to grow. Periprosthetic femoral fractures occur in 0.1-4.5 % of patients with THR. Treatment of periprosthetic fractures in the vicinity of well-fixed implants has focused on lateral plating. The purpose of this study was to evaluate polyaxial locking plate treatment of periprosthetic fractures with THR in regard to fracture type, surgical procedure, complications, and outcome. METHODS: Between 2007 and 2013, 109 patients underwent surgical treatment for periprosthetic femur fractures with 66 fractures in the vicinity to a THR. Fifteen patients were excluded. Therefore, 51 patients with a mean age of 78.7 years were identified. There were 76.5 % females. Average BMI was 27.1 kg/m2. Follow-up averaged 25 months. Total hip stems were uncemented in 63 %. Low-energy mechanism predominated. Fractures were classified according to AO/OTA and Vancouver classifications with the majority (70.6 %) classified as AO/OTA type A fractures. Surgeries were performed utilizing a polyaxial locking plate. Complications were recorded concerning infection, union, fixation failure, and revision surgery. RESULTS: After the index procedure, 90.2 % healed. Non-union formation was diagnosed in 5.9 % with 2.0 % leading to hardware failure. All patients with non-union formation had interprosthetic fractures (χ 2 = 0.016). Additionally, these fractures were classified as AO/OTA type B fractures (χ 2 = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical management despite polyaxial locked plate fixation continues to be challenging and may still result in non-union formation. Non-union formation is increased in AO/OTA type B fractures and related to interprosthetic fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Acute hyperhydration reduces athlete biological passport OFF-hr score.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that athletes hyperhydrate to mask prohibited substances in urine and potentially counteract suspicious fluctuations in blood parameters in the athlete biological passport (ABP). It is examined if acute hyperhydration changes parameters included in the ABP. Twenty subjects received recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) for 3 weeks. After 10 days of rhEPO washout, 10 subjects ingested normal amount of water (∼ 270 mL), whereas the remaining 10 ingested a 1000 mL bolus of water. Blood variables were measured 20, 40, 60, and 80 min after ingestion. Three days later, the subjects were crossed-over with regard to water ingestion and the procedure was repeated. OFF-hr was reduced by ∼ 4%, ∼ 3%, and ∼ 2% at 40, 60, and 80 min, respectively, after drinking 1000 mL of water, compared with normal water ingestion (P < 0.05). Forty percent of the subjects were identified with atypical blood profiles (99% specificity level) before drinking 1000 mL of water, whereas 11% (n = 18), 10% and 11% (n = 18) were identified 40, 60, and 80 min, respectively, after ingestion. This was different (P < 0.05) compared with normal water intake, where 45% of the subjects were identified before ingestion, and 54% (n = 19), 45%, and 47% (n = 19) were identified 40, 60, and 80 min, respectively, after ingestion. In conclusion, acute hyperhydration reduces ABP OFF-hr and reduces ABP sensitivity.

[Unilateral triangular lumbopelvic stabilization: indications and techniques]. / Unilaterale trianguläre lumbopelvine Stabilisierung: Indikationen und Technik.

Operative fixation has become treatment of choice for unstable sacral fractures. Osteosynthesis for these fractures results in loss of reduction in up to 15%. Vertical sacral fractures involving the S1 facet joint (Isler 2 and 3) may lead to multidirectional instability. Multidirectional instability of the posterior pelvic ring and lumbopelvic junction may be stabilized and forces balanced by a so-called lumbopelvic triangular fixation. Lumbopelvic triangular fixation combines vertical fixation between the lumbar vertebral pedicle and the ilium, with horizontal fixation, as an iliosacral screw or a transiliacal plate osteosynthesis. The iliac screw is directed from the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) to the anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS). Thereby, lumbopelvic fixation decreases the load to the sacrum and SI joint and transfers axial loads from the lumbar spine directly onto the ilium. Triangular lumbopelvic fixation allows early full weight bearing and therefore reduces prolonged immobilization. The placement of iliac screws may be a complex surgical procedure. Thus, the technique requires thorough surgical preparation and operative logistics. Wound-related complications may occur. Preexisting Morell-Lavalée lesions increase the risk for infection. Prominent implants cause local irritation and pain. Hardware prominence and pain are markedly reduced with screw head recession into the PSIS.

Horse-related injury patterns: a single center report.

BACKGROUND: For ages, humankind and horses have been closely related to occupational and recreational activities. The dangers of engaging with horses have been previously reported. Among sporting activities, horse riding is well-known for its risks. Despite multiple recommendations to wear protective gear, horse-related activities still comprise the risk of severe injuries. This study aimed to examine: (1) if specific mechanisms are correlated to particular injury patterns and (2) if injury types are related to patient demographics. METHODS: From one level I trauma center, between July 2019 and July 2022 (3 years) all emergency reports and discharge letters were retrospectively reviewed by full-text search regarding horse-related injuries. Patient demographics, body mass index, trauma mechanism, injury types, and initiated treatment were extracted from medical records and analyzed. RESULTS: During the study period, 95 patients with 99 horse-related injuries were included. The overwhelming majority of the patients was female (93.7%). Age averaged 35.3 years (range 6 to 71). BMI was 23.6 kg/m2. Inpatient treatment was required in 60.6%. Length of hospital stay averaged 10 days. Surgical treatment was performed in 55 patients (55.6%). Open reduction and internal fixation was the most common procedure (74.5%). Trauma mechanism was fall from a horse followed by being hit by a horse (60.6% and 23.2%, respectively). Injured upper extremities counted up for 52.5% followed by spinal and pelvic injuries (23.2%). Spinal and pelvic injuries were related to fall from a horse (p < 0.001). Injuries to the lower extremities were predominantly caused by a kick of the horse when the rider was unmounted (p = 0.001) and negatively related to a fall from a horse (p = 0.002). Ten patients got their fingers tangled while holding the reins and suffered from injuries to the upper extremity (p < 0.001). Three of them required an amputation (30%). CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that patients are young and healthy, horse related injuries must not be underestimated. In our study, almost two-thirds of the patients required inpatient treatment and 50% underwent surgery. We could show that patient age was related to injury severity according to the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS). Spinal and pelvic injuries were significantly related to a fall from a horse with a significantly greater trauma impact according to the AIS. Therefore, these severe entities need to be ruled out in such events. Accidents caused by holding the reins, may result in serious injuries to the hand with 30% requiring an amputation. Doctors need to be aware of possible horse-related injury patterns to reduce morbidity.

Clinical outcome of interprosthetic femoral fractures treated with polyaxial locking plates.

INTRODUCTION: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are common procedures in the increasing older population. According to the AAOS, approximately 19,200 Americans are actually living with ipsilateral prosthetic hip and knee leading to 240 interprosthetic fractures annually. Few reviews and case reports give an idea of the obvious problem to achieve consolidation in interprosthetic fractures. Preconfigured plates have been shown to be superior compared with other treatments in patients with stable components. Utilization of internal fixators for interprosthetic fractures might be advantageous. The purpose of this study was to evaluate interprosthetic femoral fractures with polyaxial locking plate treatment in regard to surgical procedure, complications, and clinical outcome. METHODS: Between 2005 and 2012, 143 patients underwent surgical treatment for periprosthetic femur fractures. Thirty-two fractures were identified as interprosthetic fractures. Five patients were excluded. Fractures were classified according to OTA/AO system, Vancouver, Rorabeck, Soenen and Pires. Trauma fellowship trained orthopaedic surgeons performed the surgeries using a NCB-construct (Zimmer Inc., Warshaw, IN). Plate choice was determined according to radiographic classification. Submuscular plate insertion was performed if possible. Complications were recorded concerning infection, union, fixation failure, and revision surgery. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients were identified. There were 92.6% females. Follow-up by regular outpatient clinic visits was 24 months. Surface replacements were found in 18 TKA. Nine patients had a stemmed femur component of their TKA. 89% healed after the index procedure. Three patients developed a nonunion with 1 construct leading to hardware failure. Previous revision THA or Pires/modified Vancouver classification did not influence nonunion formation, but all patients with nonunion formation were classified as AO/OTA type B (p=0.001). These fractures were treated with longer plates (p=0.015), but with similar working length (p=0.400). Plate design, additional cerclages, or submuscular insertion did not influence nonunion formation. CONCLUSION: Interprosthetic fracture treatment remains challenging. NCB-locked plating can achieve satisfactory results. Additional soft tissue damage can be prevented by submuscular plate insertion. Treatment of type B fractures resulted in significantly greater nonunion rate. Therefore, consideration of the individual fracture type is essential to determine plate length, plate type, and additional bone grafting or BMP supplementation.

Acetaminophen overdose with fetal demise.

A case of fetal demise and maternal recovery after acetaminophen overdose is presented, to our knowledge the first reported. Fetal liver and maternal serum concentrations indicate overdose to be the cause of fetal death. Maternal disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) may have been related to maternal acetaminophen-induced liver disease alone or to a combination of liver disease and the presence of a dead fetus.

Outcome of periprosthetic distal femoral fractures following knee arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: The majority of periprosthetic fractures around the knee occur at the supracondylar region of the distal femur. Fixation of distal femoral fractures in osteoporotic bone with short segment remains a challenge, especially after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Internal fixation of these fractures using locking plates has become popular. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a consecutive series of periprosthetic supracondylar femoral fractures treated with locked periarticular plate fixation with regard to surgical procedure, complications and clinical outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From two academic trauma centres, 55 consecutive periprosthetic distal femoral fractures (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Orthopaedic Trauma Association, AO/OTA 33) were retrospectively identified as having been treated with locked plate fixation. Of these, 36 fractures in 35 patients (86.1% female) met the inclusion criteria. Patients had an average age of 73.2 years (range 54-95 years). Fixation constructs for plate length and working length were delineated. Nonunion, infection and implant failure were used as complication variables. Demographics were assessed. Outcome was addressed radiographically and clinically according to Kristensen et al.(1) by range of motion and pain. RESULTS: Twenty-five of 36 fractures (69.4%) healed after the index procedure. Eight of 36 fractures (22.2%) developed a nonunion with three fractures (8.3%) leading to hardware failure. Nine of the 36 patients (25%) were radiographically diagnosed with notching of the anterior femoral cortex. Regarding technical aspects, distance from the anterior flange of the femoral component to fracture was significantly shorter in patients with compared to without anterior notching (t=3.68, p=0.02). Patients who underwent submuscular plate insertion compared to an extensive lateral approach had a reduced nonunion risk (χ(2)=0.05). No difference in infection rate was found for submuscular procedures compared with open procedures (χ(2)=0.85). Range of motion was reduced in most of the patients and 13.5% had a persistent loss of extension of 5°. More than 77% of the patients reported no or only mild pain during the last office visit. Range of motion loss did not influence pain. Successful treatment according to Cain et al.(2) was achieved in 83%. Using Kristensen's(1) criteria, 56% of the knees had acceptable flexion. CONCLUSION: Operative fixation of periprosthetic distal femoral fractures after TKA continues to be challenging. Notching of the anterior femoral cortex should be avoided. Loss of reduction and high failure rates still occur with locked plating and may be related to underlying factors. Indirect reduction and submuscular plate insertion technique reduce nonunion risk.