Does reverse total shoulder arthroplasty for proximal humeral fracture portend poorer outcomes than for elective indications?

BACKGROUND: The number of reverse total shoulder arthroplasties (RTSAs) performed annually has increased, and the indications for RTSA have expanded beyond rotator cuff arthropathy to include treatment of complex proximal humeral fractures. No studies exist comparing clinical, functional, and radiographic outcomes in patients receiving RTSA for the treatment of acute fracture vs. those undergoing the procedure for degenerative conditions. This study was designed to fill the void in this knowledge gap. We hypothesized that patients undergoing RTSA for fracture treatment would experience worse clinical outcomes than those undergoing elective RTSA. METHODS: A prospectively collected database was queried for patients undergoing RTSA between 2007 and 2016. Patients were sorted based on the indication for RTSA: treatment of acute proximal humeral fracture vs. "elective" treatment of degenerative conditions of the shoulder. Baseline demographic characteristics, intraoperative and perioperative complications, and clinical, functional, and radiographic outcomes were collected. Only patients with ≥2 years' follow-up were included. Final outcomes were compared between the fracture and elective groups. RESULTS: In total, 1984 patients met the inclusion criteria, with 1876 in the elective group and 108 in the fracture group. Compared with the elective RTSA group, the group undergoing RTSA for fracture treatment was older, was female dominant, and was less likely to have undergone a previous operation on the ipsilateral shoulder. RTSA for fracture was associated with a longer hospital length of stay and greater intraoperative blood loss. The incidence of postoperative adverse events was 7.1% in the elective group vs. 4.6% in the fracture group. Functional outcomes did not differ beyond 1 year or at mean final follow-up > 40 months. CONCLUSION: Despite differences in patient demographic characteristics, the outcome and complication profiles are similar between patients undergoing RTSA for acute fracture and those indicated for the treatment of degenerative conditions of the shoulder.

Hip Fracture Volume Does Not Change at a New York City Level 1 Trauma Center During a Period of Social Distancing.

PURPOSE: To characterize the volume and variation in orthopedic consults and surgeries that took place during a period of social distancing and pandemic. METHODS: All orthopedic consults and surgeries at an urban level 1 trauma center from 3/22/20-4/30/2020 were retrospectively reviewed (the social distancing period). Data from the same dates in 2019 were reviewed for comparison. Age, gender, Score for Trauma Triage in the Geriatric and Middle Aged (STTGMA) score and injury type were queried. Operating room data collected included: type of surgery performed, inpatient or outpatient status, and if the cases were categorized as elective, trauma or infectious cases. RESULTS: Compared to 2019, there was a 48.3% decrease in consult volume in 2020. The 2020 population was significantly older (44.0 vs 52.6 years-old, p = 0.001) and more male (65% vs 35%, p = 0.021). There were 23 COVID positive patients, 10 of which died within the collection period. Consult distribution dramatically changed, with decreases in ankle fractures, distal radius fractures and proximal humerus fractures of 76.5%, 77.4% and 55.0%, respectively. However, there was no significant difference in volume of hip, tibial shaft and femoral shaft fractures (p > 0.05). In 2020, there was a 41.4% decrease in operating room volume, no elective cases were performed, and cases were primarily trauma related. CONCLUSIONS: During a period of pandemic and social distancing, the overall volume of orthopedic consults and surgeries significantly declined. However, hip fracture volume remained unchanged. Patients presenting with orthopedic injuries were older, and at higher risk for inpatient mortality.

Incidence of Osteomyelitis in Sacral Decubitus Ulcers and Recommendations for Management.

Stage-4 pressure ulcers are defined as ulcerations that violate the fascia and expose underlying bone, muscle, and tendon. Exposed bone is always colonized by bacteria, but this does not necessarily lead to osteomyelitis. The rates of osteomyelitis in exposed bone in stage-4 pressure ulcers range from 14% to 86%.There has been no evidence that the presence of osteomyelitis leads to higher complication rates following flap coverage. There has been no evidence that bone biopsy and preoperative treatment of osteomyelitis have any benefit before flap coverage.

Litiasis renal en paciente con enfermedad de crohn: reporte de caso / Renal lithiasis in patient with crohn's disease: case report

Caso de litiasis renal por oxalato de calcio asociado a enfermedad de Crohn de reciente debut en paciente masculino 43 años proveniente del Canton las Piñas, Provincia El Oro en Ecuador, sin antecedentes patológicos en relación a su enfermedad. En enero 2020 acude a consulta particular con dolor en fosa iliaca derecha, fiebre, fatiga, hiporexia, pérdida de peso, tenesmo y diarrea. Gastroenterólogo observó colon derecho con úlceras, áreas de mucosa infiltrada, y el estudio anatomopatológico identifica ulceraciones en subserosa, abscesos, infiltrado inflamatorio mixto, granulomas epitelioides con células gigantes multinucleadas. Previo consentimiento se realiza ecosonografía, detectándose un cálculo renal derecho de 5 mm de tamaño y otro de 4 mm en el izquierdo. El análisis de orina reporta aciduria, cristales oxalato de calcio y la radiografía simple demostró sombra de los cálculos. El estudio metabólico la 1,25 dihidroxivitamina D y la hormona paratiroidea resultó negativo. La evolución fue favorable y continua en control periódico que de ameritar se ordenaría tomografía helicoidal sin contraste o urograma excretorio.

We present a case of kidney stones due to calcium oxalate stones associated with Crohn's disease of recent debut in a 43-year-old male patient from the Piñas canton-El Oro Province-Ecuador with no personal and family pathological history in relation to his disease and that in January 2020 he went to a private medical consultation for presenting colic-type abdominal pain located in the right iliac fossa, fever, fatigue, hyporexia, weight loss, tenesmus and sometimes diarrhea. The gastroenterologist observed: right colon with ulcers and infiltrated mucosa areas; samples are taken for histopathological study. Anatomopathology It was identified ulcerations in subserosa, abscesses, mixed inflammatory infiltrate, epithelioid granulomas with multinucleated giant cells diagnosed with Crohn's disease. With the patient's consent, an echo-sonographic study was made, detecting a right kidney stone 5 mm in size and 4 mm in the left. Urinalysis showed aciduria, calcium oxalate crystals, and plain abdominal radiography showed shadow of the stones. In the metabolic study the 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone was negative. The evolution was favorable and he continuous in periodic control that, if it's required, would be ordered a helical computed tomography without contrast or excretory urogram.

Interfacility Transfer Is a Risk Factor for Venous Thromboembolism in Lower Extremity Fracture Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among patients with pelvic and/or lower extremity fractures directly admitted to our institution versus those transferred from an outside hospital for definitive management. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. SETTING: Tertiary care orthopaedic hospital. PATIENTS: Six hundred ninety patients who received definitive care for a lower extremity fracture at our institution between 2010 and 2017. INTERVENTION: Interfacility transfer for definitive management of pelvic or lower extremity fracture. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: VTE incidence and time to surgery. RESULTS: The interfacility transfer (TR) group comprised 126 patients, and the direct admission (DA) group comprised 564 patients. TR patients had a significantly higher incidence of VTE compared with the DA group: 9.5% versus 0.7%, respectively (P < 0.001). Time to surgery was also longer in the TR group compared with the DA group: 3.05 ± 3.00 days versus 2.16 ± 2.42 days, respectively (P = 0.005). Demographics for TR and DA did not significantly differ with regard to age, sex, length of stay, or American Society of Anesthesiologist score. In the TR group, no complete and explicit documentation regarding thromboprophylaxis administration while at the outside facility was found. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing interfacility transfer for definitive management of pelvic and lower extremity fractures are at a significantly increased risk of the development of VTE. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Set it and Forget it: Diaphyseal Fractures of the Humerus Undergo Minimal Change in Angulation After Functional Brace Application.

Objectives: To quantify radiographic changes observed in humeral shaft frctures throughout course of treatment with functional bracing. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Level 1 Trauma Center and affiliated Tertiary Care Center. Patients: 72 retrospectively identified patients with fracture of the humeral diaphysis. Intervention: Application of functional brace with radiographs obtained immediately after brace application and at 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 month follow-up.Main Outcome Measure: Fracture angulation, measured in the coronal and sagittal planes. Results: 522 radiographs from 72 patients were critically reviewed. All fractures were followed to healing. Sixty-six patients (92%) successfully healed their fractures with non-operative treatment. The average angulation on immediate post-brace X-ray was 12 degrees varus ad 7 degrees procurvatum. At final follow-up, average coronal angulation was 14 degrees and 4 degrees procurvatum. Fracture angulation changed a mean 2 degrees in the AP plane and 3 degrees in the sagittal plane over the course of care. Linear regression determined fracture angulation proceeds toward both varus and recurvatum at 0.01 degrees per day. Conclusion: Humeral shaft fractures treated non-operatively heal with minimal change in angulation after brace application. If angulation on the post-brace radiograph is acceptable and there is no history of repeat trauma and no cosmetic deformity, radiographs may be utilized less frequently. Patients should be evaluated via history and physical exam at follow-up prior to the 6-week point, at which time regular radiographs (6 week, 3 month, 6 month, 12 month) should commence.

Contribución actual de la reunión clínico radiológica dentro del proceso educativo constructivista / Current radiological clinical meeting contribution amid constructivist educational process

La reunión clínico radiológica es una actividad académica influenciada y desarrollada las técnicas de la comunicación e información, así como por el advenimiento de nuevos recursos imagenológicos, por lo que su estructura como función asistencial y docente necesita de un nuevo modelo de actuación que mejore su utilidad asistencial, docente e investigativa a través de la incorporación de las nuevas tecnologías de la información y comunicación. Se realizó revisión de las prácticas clínicas y radiológicas reportadas en los últimos diez años en los sitios ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Google escolar, Dialnet, Redalyc y Educateca a través de las palabras claves: servicio de radiología en hospital, educación, educación basado en competencias, y medios de comunicación. Se establecen elementos pedagógicos para crear un modelo que involucre las nueva tecnologías de la comunicación, interdisciplinaria y multidisciplinaria, donde el estudiante como centro del proceso educativo desarrolle los procesos de producción del conocimiento y aprendizaje profesional. El modelo estructurado propuesto permite su aplicabilidad en universidades y hospitales universitarios para la realización de las clínicas radiológicas a través de un proceso constructivista, utilizando las nuevas tecnologías de la información y comunicación con fundamentos integradores en la docencia medica(AU)

The radiological clinical meeting is an academic activity influenced and developed the techniques of communication and information, as well as the advent of new imaging resources, so that its structure as a care and teaching function needs a new model of action that improves its usefulness Assistance, teaching and research through the incorporation of new information and communication technologies. A review of the clinical and radiological practices reported in the last ten years in the ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center), Google scholar, Dialnet, Redalyc and Educateca sites was carried out through the keywords: radiology service in hospital, education, education Based on skills, and media. Pedagogical elements are established to create a model that involves the new communication technologies, interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary, where the students as the center of the educational process develop the processes of knowledge production and professional learning. The proposed structured model allows its applicability in universities and university hospitals for the realization of radiological clinics through a constructivist process, using the new information and communication technologies with integrative foundations in medical teaching(AU)

Functional Outcomes of Compression Plating and Bone Grafting for Operative Treatment of Nonunions About the Forearm.

PURPOSE: To describe one center's experience with nonunion of one or both bones of the forearm and report on the functional recovery of patients treated for a single- or 2-bone forearm nonunion. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 23 patients who presented to our institution over an 11-year period and underwent surgical repair of a forearm nonunion (radius, ulna, or both bones). The main outcome measurements included time to union, visual analog scale pain scores, range of motion, Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment scores, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Of the 23 patients, 21 (91.3%) healed their nonunion after a single surgical procedure. All patients ultimately healed their nonunion; 7 patients were healed at 3-month follow-up, 11 healed at 6-month follow-up, and 5 healed at 12-month follow-up. Mean visual analog scale pain scores improved considerably from presentation to latest follow-up. The mean range of motion at the latest follow-up was as follows: elbow 130.9° flexion-extension arc, forearm 78.5° pronation/77.8° supination, and wrist 76.1° palmar flexion/74.3° dorsiflexion. Mean Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment arm and hand index scores improved significantly from baseline to the latest follow-up. Mean Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment function, activity, and bothersome indices demonstrated improvement, though this was not statistically significant. Two patients required further surgery to achieve osseous union. One patient sustained an iatrogenic posterior interosseous nerve palsy, which resolved spontaneously. CONCLUSIONS: Repair of forearm nonunion with compression plating and bone grafting provides reliable clinical and functional outcomes. Patients treated surgically for nonunion of one or both of the forearm bones can expect to heal with the potential for considerable improvements in pain and function postoperatively. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Acute Compartment Syndrome of the Leg.

INTRODUCTION: Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) is well known among orthopaedic surgeons. The timely diagnosis and management of ACS is crucial to avoiding its sequelae, including renal failure, ischemic contractures, and limb loss. Despite its relative importance, ACS poses a challenge to many residents and clinicians as diagnosis relies largely on clinical judgment. METHODS: Timely diagnosis and thorough compartment release are essential to optimizing outcomes in ACS. This video highlights a clinical case in which compartment syndrome of the leg was considered, diagnosed, and surgically managed. RESULTS: This video will present the indications for compartment release and a video-guided demonstration of compartment checks using an arterial line transducer, a 4-compartment fasciotomy with 2 incisions, and temporizing vessel loop closure. CONCLUSIONS: Compartment syndrome can be a devastating complication of common fractures. It is essential that orthopaedic practitioners understand the immediacy of intervention. We have a responsibility to provide timely, accurate diagnosis along with expedient surgical management.

Can Tibial Shaft Fractures Bear Weight After Intramedullary Nailing? A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the potential benefits and risks associated with weight-bearing after intramedullary (IM) nailing of unstable tibial shaft fractures. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Two New York State level 1 trauma centers, one level 2 trauma center, and 1 tertiary care orthopaedic hospital in a large urban center in New York City. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-eight patients with 90 tibial shaft fractures were enrolled. The following were used as inclusion criteria: (1) skeletally mature adult patients 18 years of age or older, (2) displaced fractures of tibial diaphysis (OTA type 42) treated with operative intervention, and (3) radiographs, including injury, operative, and completion of follow-up. Sixty-eight patients with 70 tibial shaft fractures completed follow-up. INTERVENTION: All patients were treated with locked IM nailing. Patients were randomized to 1 of 2 groups: immediate weight-bearing-as-tolerated (WBAT) or non-weight-bearing for the first 6 postoperative weeks (NWB). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fracture union or treatment failure/revision surgery. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in the observed time to union between groups (WBAT = 22.1 ± 11.7 weeks vs. NWB = 21.3 ± 9.9 weeks; P = 0.76). Rates of complications did not statistically differ between groups. No fracture loss of reduction leading to malunion was encountered. Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment scores for all domains did not statistically differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate weight-bearing after IM nailing of tibial shaft fractures is safe and is not associated with an increase in adverse events or complications. Patients should be allowed to bear weight as tolerated after IM nailing of OTA subtype 42-A and 42-B tibial shaft fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Does Brachial Plexus Blockade Result in Improved Pain Scores After Distal Radius Fracture Fixation? A Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Distal radius fractures are very common injuries and surgical treatment for them can be painful. Achieving early pain control may help improve patient satisfaction and improve functional outcomes. Little is known about which anesthesia technique (general anesthesia versus brachial plexus blockade) is most beneficial for pain control after distal radius fixation which could significantly affect patients' postoperative course and experience. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We asked: (1) Did patients receiving general anesthesia or brachial plexus blockade have worse pain scores at 2, 12, and 24 hours after surgery? (2) Was there a difference in operative suite time between patients who had general anesthesia or brachial plexus blockade, and was there a difference in recovery room time? (3) Did patients receiving general anesthesia or brachial plexus blockade have higher narcotic use after surgery? (4) Do patients receiving general anesthesia or brachial plexus blockade have higher functional assessment scores after distal radius fracture repair at 6 weeks and 12 weeks after surgery? METHODS: A randomized controlled study was performed between February, 2013 and April, 2014 at a multicenter metropolitan tertiary-care referral center. Patients who presented with acute closed distal radius fractures (Orthopaedic Trauma Association 23A-C) were potentially eligible for inclusion. During the study period, 40 patients with closed, displaced, and unstable distal radius fractures were identified as meeting inclusion criteria and offered enrollment and randomization. Three patients (7.5%), all with concomitant injuries, declined to participate at the time of randomization as did one additional patient (2.5%) who chose not to participate, leaving a final sample of 36 participants. There were no dropouts after randomization, and analyses were performed according to an intention-to-treat model. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups, general anesthesia or brachial plexus blockade, and among the 36 patients included, 18 were randomized to each group. Medications administered in the postanesthesia care unit were recorded. Patients were discharged receiving oxycodone and acetaminophen 5/325 mg for pain control, and VAS forms were provided. Patients were called at predetermined intervals postoperatively (2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours) to gather pain scores, using the VAS, and to document the doses of analgesics consumed. In addition, patients had regular followups at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Pain scores were again recorded using the VAS at these visits. RESULTS: Patients who received general anesthesia had worse pain scores at 2 hours postoperatively (general anesthesia 6.7 ± 2.3 vs brachial plexus blockade 1.4 ± 2.3; mean difference, 5.381; 95% CI, 3.850-6.913; p < 0.001); whereas reported pain was worse for patients who received a brachial plexus blockade at 12 hours (general anesthesia 3.8 ± 1.9 vs brachial plexus blockade 6.3 ± 2.4; mean difference, -2.535; 95% CI, -4.028 to -1.040; p = 0.002) and 24 hours (general anesthesia 3.8 ± 2.2 vs brachial plexus blockade 5.3 ± 2.5; mean difference, -1.492; 95% CI, -3.105 to 0.120; p = 0.031).There was no difference in operative suite time (general anesthesia 119 ± 16 minutes vs brachial plexus blockade 125 ± 23 minutes; p = 0.432), but time in the recovery room was greater for patients who received general anesthesia (284 ± 137 minutes vs 197 ± 90; p = 0.0398). Patients who received general anesthesia consumed more fentanyl (64 µg ± 93 µg vs 6.9 µg ± 14 µg; p < 0.001) and morphine (2.9 µg ± 3.6 µg vs 0.0 µg; p < 0.001) than patients who received brachial plexus blockade. Functional outcome scores did not differ at 6 weeks (data, with mean and SD for both groups, and p value) or 12 weeks postoperatively (data, with mean and SD for both groups, and p value). CONCLUSIONS: Brachial plexus blockade pain control during the immediate perioperative period was not significantly different from that of general anesthesia in patients undergoing operative fixation of distal radius fractures. However, patients who received a brachial plexus blockade experienced an increase in pain between 12 to 24 hours after surgery. Acknowledging "rebound pain" after the use of regional anesthesia coupled with patient counseling regarding early narcotic administration may allow patients to have more effective postoperative pain control. It is important to have a conversation with patients preoperatively about what to expect regarding rebound pain, postoperative pain control, and to advise them about being aggressive with taking pain medication before the waning of regional anesthesia to keep one step ahead in their pain control management. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 1, therapeutic study.

Posttraumatic Malalignment of the Humeral Shaft: Challenging the Existing Paradigm.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of posttraumatic humeral shaft malalignment on the ability to position the hand in space. METHODS: Two unique models were created: a cadaveric model and a computerized 3-dimensional (3D) model. In the cadaveric model, a midshaft transverse osteotomy of the humerus was created to simulate fracture. The osteotomy was fixed in varying degrees of coronal and sagittal malalignment. The hand's ability to reach 6 different bony landmarks was assessed as a surrogate measure of function. Subsequently, a healthy male volunteer underwent full-body magnetic resonance imaging with subsequent 3D skeletal recreation. A "virtual" midshaft transverse osteotomy was created. The osteotomy was angulated in various degrees of coronal and sagittal malalignment, and the hand's ability to reach the same 6 bony landmarks was measured. RESULTS: In the cadaveric model, varus angulation was better tolerated than valgus and sagittal deformity. Varus deformity less than 25 degree did not have a negative influence. Valgus angulation of 20 degree resulted in a more severe deficit. Estimated function of the upper extremity was most sensitive to sagittal deformity. These trends were confirmed in the 3D model. CONCLUSIONS: The direction and magnitude of posttraumatic humeral shaft malalignment independently affect the ability to position the hand in space, a surrogate measure of function. Upper extremity function may be more sensitive to posttraumatic humeral shaft malalignment than previously reported. Clinical studies investigating the impact of humeral shaft malalignment on the functional use of the upper extremity are warranted to clinically confirm these findings. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Development of Compartment Syndrome Negatively Impacts Length of Stay and Cost After Tibia Fracture.

OBJECTIVES: To quantify the impact of compartment syndrome in the setting of tibial shaft fracture on hospital length of stay (LOS) and total hospital charges. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. SETTING: All New York State hospital admissions from 2001 to 2011, as recorded by the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database. PATIENTS: Thirty three thousand six hundred twenty-nine inpatients with isolated open or closed fractures of the tibia and/or fibula (AO/OTA 41-43). Six hundred ninety-two patients developed a compartment syndrome in the setting of tibia fracture. All patients were filtered to ensure none had other complications or medical comorbidities that would increase LOS or total hospital charges. INTERVENTION: Fasciotomy and delayed closure in patients who developed a compartment syndrome. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Hospital LOS (days) and total inflation-adjusted hospital charges. RESULTS: A total of 33,629 patients with tibial shaft fracture were included in the study. There were 32,937 patients who did not develop a compartment syndrome. For this group, the mean LOS was 6 days, and the mean inflation-adjusted hospital charges were $34,000. Patients who developed compartment syndrome remained in-house for an average of 14 days with average charges totaling $79,000. These differences were highly significant for both lengths of stay and hospital charges (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Besides the obvious physical detriment experienced by patients with compartment syndrome, there is also a significant economic impact to the healthcare system. Compartment syndrome after a tibial fracture more than doubles LOS and total hospital charges. These findings highlight the need for a standardized care algorithm aimed toward efficiently and adequately treating acute compartment syndrome. Such an algorithm would optimize cost of care and presumably decrease LOS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Economic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Patella fracture fixation with suture and wire: you reap what you sew.

INTRODUCTION: Operative fixation of displaced inferior pole patella fractures has now become the standard of care. This study aims to quantify clinical, radiographic and functional outcomes, as well as identify complications in a cohort of patients treated with non-absorbable braided suture fixation for inferior pole patellar fractures. These patients were then compared to a control group of patients treated for mid-pole fractures with K-wires or cannulated screws with tension band wiring. METHODS: In this IRB approved study, we identified a cohort of patients who were diagnosed and treated surgically for a displaced patella fracture. Demographic, injury, and surgical information were recorded. All patients were treated with a standard surgical technique utilizing non-absorbable braided suture woven through the patellar tendon and placed through drill holes to achieve reduction and fracture fixation. All patients were treated with a similar post-operative protocol and followed up at standard intervals. Data were collected concurrently at follow up visits. For purpose of comparison, we identified a control cohort with middle third patella fractures treated with either k-wires or cannulated screws and tension band technique. Patients were followed by the treating surgeon at regular follow-up intervals. Outcomes included self-reported function and knee range of motion compared to the uninjured side. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients with 49 patella fractures identified retrospectively were treated over 9 years. This cohort consisted of 31 females (63.3%) and 18 males (36.7%) with an average age of 57.1 years (range 26-88 years). Patients had an average BMI of 26.48 (range 19-44.08). Thirteen patients with inferior pole fractures underwent suture fixation and 36 patients with mid-pole fractures underwent tension band fixation (K-wire or cannulated screws with tension band). In the suture cohort, one fracture failed open repair (7.6%), which was revised again with sutures and progressed to union. Of the 36 fractures repaired with a tension band fixation, 11 underwent secondary surgery due to hardware pain or fixation failure (30.6%). At one year, no difference was seen in knee range of motion between cohorts. All fractures healed radiographically. Those patients who required reoperation or removal of hardware had significantly diminished range of motion about their injured knee (p > 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who sustain inferior pole patella fractures have limited options for fracture fixation. Suture repair is clinically acceptable, yielding similar results to patella fractures repaired with metal implants. Importantly, patients undergoing suture repair appear to have fewer hardware related postoperative complications than those receiving wire fixation for midpole fractures.

Murine mammary carcinoma cells and CD11c(+) dendritic cells elicit distinct responses to lipopolysaccharide and exhibit differential expression of genes required for TLR4 signaling.

Although TLR are often studied on DC because of their ability to bridge innate and adaptive defenses, TLR are also expressed by epithelial cells. Because the majority of cancers are carcinomas, and thus of epithelial origin, we wanted to know whether a carcinoma and DC responded similarly to a TLR agonist. We found the mammary carcinoma 4T1 and CD11c(+) DC both secreted proinflammatory chemokines in response to the TLR4 agonist lipopolysaccharide (LPS). However a clear dichotomy existed. DC, but not 4T1 secreted IL-1ß, TNF-α, and upregulated CD80 and CD86 expression following LPS treatment. A potential reason for differential responsiveness was that DC expressed greater levels of TLR4, CD14, Myd88, and TRAM. Despite the low level of TLR signaling proteins, the carcinoma were able to elicit a range of responses contingent upon the source, dose, length, and frequency of TLR agonist treatment. Thus, carcinoma and DC are distinctly responsive to LPS.