Comparison of the quadrant method measuring four points and bernard method in femoral tunnel position evaluation on 3-dimensional reconstructed computed tomography after anatomical single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

PURPOSE: This prospective study aimed to compare the postoperative evaluation of the quadrant method measuring four points and Bernard method in femoral tunnel position evaluation on 3-Dimensional (3D) reconstructed computed tomography (CT) following the arthroscopic single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with ACL tears that were reconstructed using single-bundle ACL reconstruction between May 2021 and March 2023 were included in this study. Postoperative 3D CT images were obtained after the operation. The femoral tunnel position was measured by use of the quadrant method measuring four points and Bernard method. RESULTS: Average mean position of the femoral tunnel insertion center on the 3D CT image was at 26.16 ± 6.27% in the x-coordinate and at 24.36 ± 5.52% in the y-coordinate according to the Bernard method. Meanwhile, the position of the femoral insertion of the ACL measured by the quadrant method measuring four points was 24.2% ± 6.86% in the x-coordinate and 21.16% ± 5.14% in the y-coordinate. CONCLUSIONS: Both the quadrant method measuring four points and Bernard method were effective in femoral tunnel position evaluation on 3D reconstructed CT. Application of the quadrant method measuring four points on 3D CT showed the advantage that measurement can be taken regardless of the shape of the bone tunnel.

[Analysis of the risk factors for delayed union of extra-articular fractures of the middle and lower third of the tibia treated by locking plate].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors for delayed union of extra-articular fractures of the middle and lower third of the tibia treated by locking plate. METHODS: Total of 135 patients of extra-articular fractures of the middle and lower third of the tibia from January 2013 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed, including 85 males and 50 females, ranged from 19 to 80 years old. All cases were treated with locking plates. The patients were divided into union group and delayed union group according to the condition of fracture union. The risk factors of delayed healing were determined by univariate analysis of 14 factors that might affect fracture healing first, then the factors with significance were analyzed by binary Logistic regression. RESULTS: There were 13 patients of delayed union, and the rate of delayed union was 9.63%. Univariate analysis showed that delayed union was associated with age, smoking, reduction method, anemia and time of preoperative preparation. Regression analysis showed that age[OR=0.849, 95%CI（0.755, 0.954）, P=0.006], smoking[OR=0.020, 95%CI（0.002, 0.193）, P=0.001], reduction method[OR=23.924, 95%CI（2.210, 258.943）, P=0.009], anemia[OR=0.016, 95%CI（0.001, 0.289）, P=0.005] were the contributory factors for delayed union. CONCLUSION: Young age, smoking, closed reduction and anemia are the risk factors for delayed union of extra-articular fractures of the middle and lower third of the tibia treated by locking plate.