Gunshot Fractures of the Forearm: A Multicenter Evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a large series of open fractures of the forearm after gunshot wounds (GSWs) to determine complication rates and factors that may lead to infection, nonunion, or compartment syndrome. DESIGN: Multicenter retrospective review. SETTING: Nine Level 1 Trauma Centers. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: One hundred sixty-eight patients had 198 radius and ulna fractures due to firearm injuries. All patients were adults, had a fracture due to a firearm injury, and at least 1-year clinical follow-up or follow-up until union. The average follow-up was 831 days. INTERVENTION: Most patients (91%) received antibiotics. Formal irrigation and debridement in the operating room was performed in 75% of cases along with either internal fixation (75%), external fixation (6%), or I&D without fixation (19%). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Complications including neurovascular injuries, compartment syndrome, infection, and nonunion. RESULTS: Twenty-one percent of patients had arterial injuries, and 40% had nerve injuries. Nine patients (5%) developed compartment syndrome. Seventeen patients (10%) developed infections, all in comminuted or segmental fractures. Antibiotics were not associated with a decreased risk of infection. Infections in the ulna were more common in fractures with retained bullet fragments and bone loss. Twenty patients (12%) developed a nonunion. Nonunions were associated with high velocity firearms and bone defect size. CONCLUSIONS: Open fractures of the forearm from GSWs are serious injuries that carry high rates of nonunion and infection. Fractures with significant bone defects are at an increased risk of nonunion and should be treated with stable fixation and proper soft-tissue handling. Ulna fractures are at a particularly high risk for deep infection and septic nonunion and should be treated aggressively. Forearm fractures from GSWs should be followed until union to identify long-term complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Surgical removal of a migrating intraspinal bullet: illustrative case.

BACKGROUND: Management of gunshot wounds to the spine with subsequent spinal cord injury is a controversial topic among spine surgeons. Possible complications of retained intradural bullets include delayed neurological deficits, spinal instability, and lead toxicity. The authors' purpose is to review the potential complications of retained intraspinal bullets and the surgical indications for intraspinal bullet removal. OBSERVATIONS: The authors describe a case of a patient who developed cauda equina symptoms following a gunshot wound to the lumbar spine with a migrating retained intraspinal bullet. Because of neurological changes, the patient underwent surgical removal of the bullet. At the postoperative clinic visit 2 weeks following bullet removal, the patient reported resolution of her symptoms. LESSONS: Gunshot wounds to the spine are challenging cases. The decision to proceed with surgical management in the event of retained bullet fragments is multifactorial and relies heavily on the patient's neurological status. A current review of the literature suggests that, in cases of cauda equina injuries and the development of neurological deficits in patients with retained intraspinal fragments, there is benefit from surgical decompression and bullet removal. Careful preoperative planning is required, and consideration of spinal alignment with positional changes is crucial.

A Novel Skin Closure Device for Total Knee Arthroplasty: Randomized Controlled Trial versus Staples.

Twenty-five patients undergoing simultaneous, bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were randomized to receive skin closure with Zip device on one knee and staples on the other. Patients' pain and scar appearance were rated from 0 (best) to 10 (worst). Knee arc of motion was measured by a physical therapist. At 2 weeks postoperatively, pain scores were significantly better with the Zip device during device wear (p = 0.03) and during device removal (p = 0.003); arc of motion was significantly better with the Zip device (p = 0.002). At 8 weeks of follow-up, scar appearance was significantly better in the Zip device knee as rated by the patients (1.3 vs. 2.6, p = 0.04), the surgeon (1.9 vs. 3.3, p = 0.0006), and three independent plastic surgeons (3.7 vs. 4.8, p < 0.001). Results of this randomized controlled trial show that skin closure with the Zip device resulted in less pain and better scar appearance and knee arc of motion than with staples.