Outcomes After Acute Versus Staged Fixation of Complete Articular Tibial Plafond Fractures.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcomes after acute versus staged fixation of complete articular tibial plafond fractures. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Single Level 1 Trauma center. PARTICIPANTS: 98 skeletally mature patients with OTA/AO 43C type fractures who underwent definitive fixation with plate and screw constructs and had a minimum 6 months of follow-up. INTERVENTION: Acute open reduction internal fixation (aORIF) versus staged (sORIF) definitive fixation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: Rates of wound dehiscence/necrosis and deep infection. RESULTS: Acute (N = 40) versus staged (N = 58) ORIF groups had comparable rates of vascular disease, renal disease, and substance/nicotine use, but aORIF patients had higher rates of diabetes mellitus (10% vs. 0%, P < 0.001), which correlated with higher American Society of Anaesthesiologist scores (>American Society of Anaesthesiologist 3: 37.5% vs. 13.8%, P = 0.02). Both groups achieved anatomic/good reductions, as determined by postoperative CT scans, at rates greater than 90%; however, the sORIF group required modestly longer operative times to achieve this outcome (aORIF vs. sORIF: 121 vs. 146 minutes, P = 0.02). Postoperatively, both groups had similar rates of wound dehiscence (2.5% vs. 6.9%, P = 0.65), superficial infections (10% vs. 17.2%, P = 0.39), and deep infections (10% vs. 8.6%, P = 0.99). While the injury pattern itself required free flap coverage in 1 patient in each group, unplanned free flap coverage occurred in 10.0% and 10.3% of aORIF and sORIF groups, respectively. Overall, rates of unplanned reoperations, excluding ankle arthrodesis, did not differ between groups (aORIF vs. sORIF:12.5% vs. 25.9%, P = 0.13). CONCLUSIONS: In select patients managed by fellowship-trained orthopaedic traumatologists, acute definitive pilon fixation can produce acceptable outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

High- Versus Low-Energy Intertrochanteric Hip Fractures in Young Patients: Injury Characteristics and Factors Associated With Complications.

OBJECTIVE: To compare fracture patterns and associated injuries for young patients with high- versus low-energy intertrochanteric hip fractures and to report on factors associated with complications after surgical fixation of high-energy fractures. DESIGN: Retrospective comparative study. SETTING: Academic Level 1 Trauma Center. PATIENTS: A total of 103 patients 50 years of age or younger were included: 80 high-energy fractures and 23 low-energy fractures. INTERVENTION: Cephalomedullary nailing (N = 92) or a sliding hip screw (N = 11). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Radiographic characteristics of fracture morphology, implant position, and reduction quality and postoperative complications were the main outcome measures. RESULTS: Compared with young patients with low-energy fractures, those with high-energy fractures had more fracture comminution ( P = 0.013) and higher ISS scores ( P < 0.003) and were more likely to require open reduction ( P < 0.001). Patients with low-energy fractures from a ground-level fall had higher rates of alcohol abuse (0.032), cirrhosis (0.010), and chronic steroid use (0.048). Overall reoperation rate for high-energy fractures was 7%, including 2 IT fracture nonunions (5%) and 1 deep infection (2%). For high-energy fractures, ASA class ( P = 0.026), anterior lag screw position ( P = 0.001), and varus malreduction ( P < 0.001) were associated with malunion. Four-part fracture (OTA/AO 31A2.3/Jensen 5) ( P = 0.028) and residual calcar gap >3 mm ( P = 0.03) were associated with reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment of high-energy IT fractures in young patients is technically demanding with potential untoward outcomes. Injury characteristics and severity are significantly different for young patients with high-energy IT fractures compared with low-energy fractures. For young patients with a high-energy IT fracture, surgeons can anticipate a high rate of associated injuries and complex fracture patterns requiring open reduction. For young patients with a low-energy IT fracture, comanagement with a hospitalist or a geriatrician should be considered because they may be physiologically older. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Immediate Weight Bearing as Tolerated Is Safe Following Intramedullary Fixation of Extra-articular Metaphyseal Proximal Tibia Fractures (OTA/AO 41-A).

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether immediate weight bearing after intramedullary fixation of extra-articular proximal tibia fractures (OTA/AO 41A) results in change of alignment before union. DESIGN: Retrospective Review. SETTING: Level I and Level II Trauma Center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-seven patients with 37 proximal tibial fractures, all whom could bear weight as tolerated postoperatively. Eighteen fractures were OTA/AO 41-A2, and 19 were OTA/AO 41-A3. INTERVENTION: Intramedullary nailing of extra-articular proximal tibia fractures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Change in fracture alignment or loss of reduction. RESULTS: The average change in coronal alignment at the final follow-up was 1.22 ± 1.28 degrees of valgus and 1.03 ± 1.05 degrees of extension in the sagittal plane. Twenty-five patients demonstrated excellent initial alignment, 10 patients demonstrated acceptable initial alignment, and 2 patients demonstrated poor initial alignment. Five patients demonstrated a change in alignment from excellent to acceptable at the final follow-up. No patient went from excellent or acceptable initial alignment to poor final alignment. Five patients required unplanned secondary surgical procedures. Two patients required return to the operating room for soft-tissue coverage procedures, 2 patients required surgical debridement of a postoperative infection, and 1 patient underwent debridement and exchange nailing of an infected nonunion. No patient underwent revision for implant failure or loss of reduction. CONCLUSION: Immediate weight bearing after intramedullary fixation of extra-articular proximal tibia fractures (OTA/AO 41A) led to minimal change in alignment at final postoperative radiographs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Outcomes of Various Antibiotic Cement-Coated Intramedullary Implants on the Treatment of Long Bone Septic Nonunion.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of various types of antibiotic-coated intramedullary implants in the treatment of septic long bone nonunion. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Level 1 trauma center. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-one patients with septic long bone nonunion treated with an antibiotic cement-coated intramedullary implant. INTERVENTION: Surgical debridement and placement of a type of antibiotic-coated intramedullary implant. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Union and need for reoperation. RESULTS: At an average 27-month follow-up (6-104), 27 patients (66%) had a modified radiographic union score of the tibia of 11.5 or greater, 12 patients (29%) a score lower than 11.5, and 2 patients (5%) underwent subsequent amputation. Six patients underwent no further surgical procedures after the index operation. Patients treated with a rigid, locked antibiotic nail achieved earlier weight-bearing (P = 0.001), less frequently required autograft (P = 0.005), and underwent fewer subsequent procedures (average 0.38 vs. 3.60, P = 0.004) than those treated with flexible core antibiotic rods. CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotic-coated intramedullary implants are successful in the treatment of septic nonunions in long bones. In our cohort, rigid, statically locked nails allowed faster rehabilitation, decreased the need for autograft, and decreased the number of additional surgical procedures. Further study is needed to confirm these findings. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

"Unstable" Pediatric Femoral Shaft Fractures Treated With Flexible Elastic Nails Have Few Complications.

OBJECTIVES: To determine our complication rate in pediatric femoral shaft fractures treated with flexible elastic nailing and to determine fracture characteristics that may predict complications. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: One Level 1 and One Level 2 academic trauma centers. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: One hundred one pediatric femoral shaft fractures treated from 2006 to 2018. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: Major and minor complications. RESULTS: One hundred one femurs met inclusion criteria. The average age was 7 years (range 3-12 years). The average weight was 29.0 kg (range 16-55 kg). The average follow-up was 11 months (6-36 months). Ninety-three patients underwent elective implant removal at our institution. Fifty-one of the 101 (50%) fractures were "unstable" patterns. Ninety-three percent had implants that filled >80% of the canal (69 titanium and 32 stainless steel). Seventeen percent (18) had cast immobilization. All fractures went on to union. No patient required revision surgery for malunion as follows: 6 had coronal/sagittal malalignment >10 degrees, 3 had malrotation >15 degrees, and none had a leg length inequality >1 cm. Three patients had an unplanned surgery as follows: 2 for prominent implants and 1 for refracture after a second injury. There were no patient, fracture, or treatment characteristics that were predictive of complications or unplanned surgery, including "unstable" fractures (P = 0.78). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that flexible elastic nailing can be safely used in most pediatric femoral shaft fractures, including those previously described as "unstable." LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Quality of Reduction of Displaced Intra-articular Calcaneal Fractures Using a Sinus Tarsi Versus Extensile Lateral Approach.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the difference in the quality of fracture reduction between the sinus tarsi approach (STA) and extensile lateral approach (ELA) using postoperative Computed Tomography (CT) scans in displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures (DIACFs). DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: Level 1 and level 2 academic centers. PATIENTS: Consecutive patients undergoing operative fixation of DIACFs with postoperative CT scans and standard radiographs. METHODS: Patients were identified based on Current Procedural Terminology code and chart review. All operative calcaneal fractures treated between 2012 and 2018 by fellowship-trained orthopaedic trauma surgeons were evaluated. Those with both postoperative CT scans and radiographs were included. Exclusion criteria included extra-articular fractures, malunions, percutaneous fixation, ORIF and primary fusion, and those patients without a postoperative CT scan. The Sanders classification was used. Cases were divided into 2 groups based on ELA versus STA. Bohler angle and Gissane angle were evaluated on plain radiographs. CT reduction quality grading included articular step off/gap within the posterior facet, and varus angulation of the tuberosity: CT reduction grading included: excellent (E): no gap, no step, and no angulation; good (G): <1 mm step, <5 mm gap, and/or <5° of angulation, fair (F): 1-3 mm step, 5-10 mm gap, and/or 5-15° angulation; and poor (P): >3 mm step, >10 mm gap, and/or >15° angulation. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients with 83 fractures were included. Average age was 42 years (range, 18-74 years), with 57 men. Four fractures were open. There were 37 Sanders II and 46 Sanders III fractures; 36 fractures were fixed using the STA, whereas 47 used the ELA. Average days to surgery were 5 for STA and 14 for ELA (P < 0.001). A normal Bohler angle was achieved more often with the ELA (91.5%) than with STA (77.8%) (P < 0.001). There was no difference by approach for Gissane angle (P = 0.5). ELA had better overall reduction quality (P = 0.02). For Sanders II, there was no difference in reduction quality with STA versus ELA (P = 0.51). For Sanders III, ELA trended toward better reduction quality (P = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: The ELA had a better overall reduction of Bohler angle on plain radiographs and of the posterior facet and tuberosity on postoperative CT scans. For Sanders type II DIACFs, there was no difference between STA and ELA. Importantly, for Sanders III DIACFs, ELA trended toward better reduction quality. In addition to fracture reduction, surgeon learning curve, early wound complications, and long-term outcomes must be considered in future studies comparing the ELA and STA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Patella fractures treated with cannulated lag screws and fiberwire® have a high union rate and low rate of implant removal.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to report the results of open reduction internal fixation of patella fractures (OTA 34 A-C) using cannulated lag screws and FiberWire® (Arthrex, Naples, FL, USA) with regard to union and symptomatic implant removal. DESIGN: Retrospective review of prospectively collected database. SETTING: Urban Level 1 trauma center and Level 2 trauma center METHODS: All displaced intra-articular patella fractures (OTA 34 A-C) treated with ORIF by cannulated lag screws and FiberWire® tension band/cerclage between January 1, 2009 and August 1, 2018. Three hundred and eighty seven consecutive patients were identified. Fifty fractures were included in the final analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: All patients were followed to clinical and radiographic union. Nonunion was defined as lack of clinical and radiographic union, fracture displacement, and/or return to OR for revision surgery. Rate of symptomatic implant removal was recorded. RESULTS: Average age was 57.7 years (range 21-86). Average follow up was 20.6 months (range 6-98 months). Average time to clinical and radiographic union was 3.1 months (range 3-7 months). Four fractures were open. There was a 96% (48/50) rate of primary union, with one patients requiring revision surgery to achieve union, and one developing an asymptomatic radiographic nonunion. The rate of symptomatic implant removal was 8% (4/50). Only 1 of the 4 was operated for a prominent suture knot, and the remaining 3 were for prominent screw removal. Knee range of motion averaged 0.37° extension to 119° flexion (range, 0-150°). CONCLUSION: Patella fractures can be treated with cannulated lag screws and FiberWire® with a high rate of primary union (96%) and a low rate of symptomatic implant removal (8%). The implant removal rate compares favorably with alternative constructs, with an equivalent rate of fracture union.

Iatrogenic Nerve Palsy Occurs With Anterior and Posterior Approaches for Humeral Shaft Fixation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if surgical approach impacts the rate of nerve palsy after plate fixation of humerus shaft fractures and whether or not iatrogenic nerve palsy recovers in similar ways to preoperative palsy. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: Two trauma centers. PATIENTS: Patients 18+ years of age with nonpathologic, extra-articular humerus shaft fractures (OTA/AO 12A/B/C and 13A2-3) treated with plate fixation. INTERVENTION: Plate fixation of humerus shaft fractures, from 2008 to 2016. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: Rate of iatrogenic nerve palsy by a surgical approach and injury characteristics. RESULTS: Two hundred sixty-one humeral shaft fractures were included. The rate of preoperative palsy was 19%. Radial nerve palsy (RNP) was present in 18%. Iatrogenic RNP occurred in 12.2% and iatrogenic ulnar palsy in 1.2%. Iatrogenic palsy occurred in 15.6% of middle and 15% of distal fractures, with fracture location significantly different in those developing RNP (P = 0.009). Iatrogenic RNP occurred in 7.1% of anterolateral, 11.7% of posterior triceps-splitting, and 17.9% of posterior triceps-sparing approaches (P = 0.11). Follow-up data were available for 139 patients at an average of 12 months. Preoperative RNP resolved less often than iatrogenic RNP, in 74% versus 95% (P = 0.06). Time to resolution was longer for preoperative RNP, at 5.5 versus 4.1 months (P = 0.91). Twenty-two percent with preoperative RNP underwent tendon transfer or wrist fusion, versus 0% after iatrogenic RNP (P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Iatrogenic RNP is not uncommon with humeral fracture fixation and occurs at similar rates in anterior and posterior approaches and with midshaft and distal fractures. Iatrogenic RNP had a high rate of recovery. Preoperative RNP more often requires surgery for unresolved palsy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Effect of Nail Size, Insertion, and Δ Canal-Nail on the Development of a Nonunion After Intramedullary Nailing of Femoral Shaft Fractures.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether intramedullary nail (IMN) diameter, antegrade versus retrograde insertion, or the difference between the canal and IMN diameter affect femoral shaft fracture healing. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of a prospective database. SETTING: Level One Regional Trauma Center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Seven hundred thirty-three femoral shaft fractures (OTA/AO 32) treated with an IMN between 1999 and 2017. After exclusion criteria, 484 fractures remained in the final analysis. INTERVENTION: Closed section, cannulated, interlocked, titanium alloy IMN using a reamed insertion technique. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Nonunion, IMN size (10, 11.5, and 13 mm), antegrade versus retrograde insertion, Δ canal-nail diameter (ΔD) after reaming (<1, 1-2, or >2 mm). RESULTS: IMN diameters used were as follows: 314/10 mm (64%), 137/11.5 mm (28%), and 33/13 mm (8%). Forty-five percent were placed in antegrade versus 55% retrograde. Four hundred fifty-six fractures (94.2%) healed uneventfully. There were no IMN failures. 10/484 IMNs (2%) had broken interlocking screws; only 4 were associated with a NU. Average time to union was 23 weeks (12-119). Twenty-eight (5.8%) developed NU. There was no statistical correlation between (1) the NU rate and IMN diameter: 10 mm, 6.3%; 11.5 mm, 5.1%; 13 mm, 3% (P = 0.8, power = 0.85), (2) the NU rate and ΔD: 7.1% <1 mm, 5.6% 1-2 mm, 20% >2 mm (P = 0.36), (3) the NU rate and fracture location: Prox = 11%, Mid = 5%, Dist = 3% (P = 0.13), or (4) the NU rate and antegrade (7.2%) versus retrograde (4.2%) insertion (P = 0.24). CONCLUSION: Similar healing rates occurred regardless of IMN diameter, Δ canal-nail diameter after reaming, or insertion site. This indicates that a closed section, cannulated, interlocked, titanium alloy IMN with a diameter of 10 mm can be considered the standard diameter for the treatment of acute femoral shaft fractures, regardless of entry point. This should be associated with less reaming and therefore shorter operative times, and possibly less hospital implant inventories as well. Larger diameter IMN should be reserved for revision surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Symptomatic Iliosacral Screw Removal After Pelvic Trauma-Incidence and Clinical Impact.

OBJECTIVE: To calculate the incidence of symptomatic iliosacral (SI) screw removal following pelvic trauma and to determine the clinical impact of the secondary intervention. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Level 1 and Level 2 trauma centers. PATIENTS: Four hundred seventy-one consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous posterior pelvic fixation over 10 years, with 7 excluded for spinopelvic fixation,and 7 excluded due to age <16 year old. INTERVENTION: Implant removal. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: Secondary intervention. RESULTS: A total of 25/457 patients underwent screw removal (5.4%). Two patients were lost to follow-up, leaving 23 for analysis. There were 13 male patients and 10 female patients. There were 13 SI and 10 trans-sacral screws removed. Four screws were loose before removal (17%). Average time to screw removal was 10.7 months (4-26 minutes). Fifteen (83.3%) patients had subjective improvement, and 3 (16.7%) had no notable improvement. CONCLUSION: The incidence of symptomatic SI screws necessitating removal is low (5.4%). When removed, there is a high likelihood (83%) that the secondary intervention will result in subjective symptomatic improvement. Routine screw removal is unnecessary because most patients tolerate the implants without symptoms necessitating subsequent surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Multidose prophylactic IV antibiotics do not lower the risk of surgical site infection for isolated closed ankle fractures.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the surgical site infection (SSI) rates in ankle fracture patients receiving either single preoperative intravenous (IV) dose (SD) or multidose 24 hours IV postoperative (MD) perioperative IV antibiotic prophylaxis. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. SETTING: Level I Trauma Center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred fourteen patients with isolated ankle fractures, OTA classifications 44A1-3, 44B1-3, and 44C1-3, who presented to our institution between January 2012 and June 2016. INTERVENTION: Operative fracture fixation with either the administration of SD or MD perioperative IV antibiotic prophylaxis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: SSI. RESULTS: Three hundred fourteen patients met all study criteria. There were 99 patients in the SD group with a mean age of 44.2 years and 215 patients in the MD group with a mean age of 47.7 years. The overall SSI rate was 5.1% in the SD group versus 2.8% in the MD group (P = .312). The superficial SSI rate was 2.0% in the SD group versus 1.4% in the MD group not significant (NS). The deep SSI rate was 3.0% in the SD group versus 1.4% in the MD group (NS). CONCLUSION: The SSI rates in isolated closed ankle fractures receiving either SD or MD perioperative IV antibiotic prophylaxis were similar. Further studies should be considered to help guide the standard of care for perioperative IV antibiotic prophylaxis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III retrospective case-control study.

Orthopaedic Watercraft Injuries: Characterization of Mechanisms, Fractures, and Complications in 216 Injuries.

OBJECTIVE: To review the orthopaedic injuries from watercraft treated surgically at our institution and report the mechanisms, fractures, and complications encountered. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Level I trauma center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: There were 216 fractures from watercraft in 146 patients. Average age was 33 years (range 4-78 years), there were 68% males (99/146), and 16% of the injuries occurred in children. INTERVENTION: Operative fracture fixation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: After IRB approval, data were collected from January 1, 1998, to December 31, 2015, for patients including demographics, watercraft type, mechanism of injury, fracture pattern, infection, organisms, union, and amputation. Descriptive statistics were used. RESULTS: There were 130 closed fractures (60%) and 86 open fractures (40%). There were 146 (67%) lower extremity injuries, 49 (23%) upper extremity injuries, and 21 (10%) pelvic injuries. The overall postoperative infection rate was 9% (20/216) and was commonly polymicrobial in nature. The postoperative infection rate in closed fractures was 4% (5/130) and the postoperative infection rate in open fractures was 17% (15/86). Open fractures also had a high proportion of nonunion (8%) and amputation (16%). CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest reported series of orthopaedic injuries from watercraft. These injuries can be devastating in nature and difficult to manage, particularly when they are open (40%). There is a high rate of postoperative infection (17%), nonunion (8%), and amputation (16%) associated with open orthopaedic watercraft fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Cephalomedullary Nail Fixation of Intertrochanteric Femur Fractures: Are Two Proximal Screws Better Than One?

OBJECTIVES: To analyze radiographic changes in intertrochanteric (IT) fracture alignment after treatment with either a single sliding lag screw or an integrated compressed and locked, dual screw, cephalomedullary nail construct. DESIGN: Retrospective comparative study. SETTING: Level 1 regional trauma center. PATIENTS: 1004 OTA/AO 31A, 31B2.1 fractures treated with either a single screw cephalomedullary nail (Gamma 3) or an integrated dual screw cephalomedullary nail (InterTAN) between February 1, 2005, and June 30, 2013. Four hundred thirteen remained after exclusion criteria; 130 were treated with a single screw device (79 stable and 51 unstable), and 283 with an integrated dual screw device (155 stable and 128 unstable). INTERVENTION: Cephalomedullary nail insertion. OUTCOME MEASURES: Radiographic analysis included fracture pattern, fracture reduction, neck-shaft angle (NSA), and femoral neck shortening (FNS) differences at 3, 6, and 12 months. Measurements were normalized using known lag screw dimensions, digitally corrected for magnification. Rotation between x-rays was controlled using a ratio of known to measured dimensions. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The single screw device resulted in 2.5 times more varus collapse (NSA) and 2 times more FNS over 1 year, as compared to the locked, integrated dual screw device, regardless of stability (P < 0.001). NSA and FNS changes were greater for both devices in unstable fracture patterns, but significantly less movement occurred with the dual screw device (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A cephalomedullary nail with 2 integrated proximal screws that can be compressed and then locked seems to maintain initial IT fracture reduction and subsequent position over time, with less varus collapse and less shortening than a single screw device. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Anterior-Inferior Plating Results in Fewer Secondary Interventions Compared to Superior Plating for Acute Displaced Midshaft Clavicle Fractures.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether a difference in plate position for fixation of acute, displaced, midshaft clavicle fractures would affect the rate of secondary intervention. DESIGN: Retrospective Comparative Study. SETTING: Two academic Level 1 Regional Trauma Centers. PATIENTS: Five hundred ten patients treated surgically for an acutely displaced midshaft clavicle fracture between 2000 and 2013 were identified and reviewed retrospectively at a minimum of 24 months follow-up (F/U). Fractures were divided into 2 cohorts, according to plate position: Anterior-Inferior (AI) or Superior (S). Exclusion criteria included age <16 years, incomplete data records, and loss to F/U. Group analysis included demographics (age, sex, body mass index), fracture characteristics (mechanism of injury, open or closed), hand dominance, ipsilateral injuries, time between injury to surgery, time to radiographic union, length of F/U, and frequency of secondary procedures. INTERVENTION: Patients were treated either with AI or S clavicle plating at the treating surgeon's discretion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rate and reason for secondary intervention. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Fisher exact test, t test. and odds ratio were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Final analysis included 252 fractures/251 patients. One hundred eighteen (47%) were in group AI; 134 (53%) were in group S. No differences in demographics, fracture characteristics, time to surgery, time to union, or length of F/U existed between groups. Seven patients/7 fractures (5.9%) in Group AI underwent a secondary surgery whereas 30 patients/30 fractures (22.3%) in group S required a secondary surgery. An additional intervention secondary to superior plate placement was highly statistically significant (P < 0.001). Furthermore, because 80% of these subsequent interventions were a result of plate irritation with patient discomfort, the odds ratio for a second procedure was 5 times greater in those fractures treated with a superior plate. CONCLUSIONS: This comparative analysis indicates that AI plating of midshaft clavicle fractures seems to lessen clinical irritation and results in significantly fewer secondary interventions. Considering patient satisfaction and a reduced financial burden to the health care system, we recommend routine AI plate application when open reduction internal fixation of the clavicle is indicated. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Suprapatellar Versus Infrapatellar Tibial Nail Insertion: A Prospective Randomized Control Pilot Study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this OTA-approved pilot study was to compare the clinical and functional outcomes of the knee joint after infrapatellar (IP) versus suprapatellar (SP) tibial nail insertion. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized. SETTING: Level I trauma center. METHODS: After institutional review board approval, skeletally mature patients with OTA 42 tibial shaft fractures were randomized into either an IP or SP nail insertion group after informed consent was obtained. The SP also underwent prenail and postnail insertion patella-femoral (PF) joint arthroscopy. Patients underwent follow-up (6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months) with standard radiographs, as well as visual analog score and pain diagram documentation. At the 6-month and 12-month visits, knee function questionnaires (Lysholm knee scale and SF-36) were completed. Magnetic resonance imaging/image (MRI) of the affected knee was obtained at 12 months. Ten patients in each group were required for a power analysis for the anticipated larger randomized control trial, but enrollment in each arm was not limited because of known problems with patient follow-up over a 12-month period. RESULTS: A total of 41 patients/fractures were enrolled in this study. Of those, only 25 patients/fractures (14 IP, 11 SP) fully complied with and completed 12 months of follow-up. Six of 11 SP presented with articular changes (chondromalacia) in the PF joint during the preinsertion arthroscopy. Three patients displayed a change in the articular cartilage based on postnail insertion arthroscopy. At 12 months, all fractures in both groups had proceeded to union. There were no differences between the affected and unaffected knee with respect to range of motion. Functional visual analog score and Lysholm knee scores showed no significant differences between groups (P > 0.05). The SF-36v2 comparison also revealed no significant differences in the overall score, all 4 mental components, and 3/4 physical components (P > 0.05). The bodily pain component score was superior in the SP group (45 vs. 36, P = 0.035). All 11 SP patients obtained MRIs at 1 year. Five of these patients had evidence of chondromalacia on MRI. These findings did not correlate with either the prenail or postnail insertion arthroscopy. Importantly, no patient in the SP group with postnail insertion arthroscopic changes had PF joint pain at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, there seemed to be no significant differences in pain, disability, or knee range of motion between these 2 tibial intramedullary nail insertion techniques after 12 months of follow-up. Based on this pilot study data, larger prospective trial with long-term follow-up is warranted. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Clinical and Serologic Response to the 23-valent Polysaccharide Pneumococcal Vaccine in Children and Teens with Recurrent Upper Respiratory Tract Infections and Selective Antibody Deficiency.

We report the clinical and serological response of 72 children and adolescents after immunization with the 23-valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine (PPV23). All had been diagnosed with recurrent upper respiratory tract infections and low antipneumococcal immunity. Forty-five (62%) of these patients had received PCV7, the 7-serotype pneumococcal conjugated vaccine (Prevnar7). After immunization with the polysaccharide vaccine, 69 (96%) patients, including 42 of the 45 who had previously been immunized with the conjugate vaccine, had a positive clinical response including 12 patients (17%) whose serological response to the polysaccharide vaccine was inadequate. Clinical and serological response to PPV23 was assessed at approximately 1, 3 and 6 months after immunization. Our study also confirmed that a small group of patients with recurrent upper respiratory tract infections are unable to develop a normal response to pneumococcal and other bacterial polysaccharides despite vaccination with the newer conjugated vaccines. This immunodeficiency has been named selective antibody deficiency with normal immunoglobulins or impaired polysaccharide responsiveness. These patients did well after administration of intravenous IgG.

Vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis and BCG-osis in an immigrant child with severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome - Texas, 2013.

Poliovirus transmission has been eliminated in most of the world through the use of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) and live, attenuated oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV). In the United States, use of OPV was discontinued by the year 2000 because of the potential for vaccine-associated paralytic polio (VAPP); an average of eight cases were reported each year in the United States during 1980-2000. Polio eradication efforts in other parts of the world continue to rely on OPV to take advantage of transmission of poliovirus vaccine strains to unvaccinated persons in the population, lower cost, and ease of administration. In 2013, an infant aged 7 months who recently immigrated to the United States from India was referred to a hospital in San Antonio, Texas. The infant had fever, an enlarging skin lesion in the deltoid region with axillary lymphadenopathy, decreased activity, and inability to bear weight on the left leg, progressing to paralysis of the left leg over a 6-week period. Recognition of lymphopenia on complete blood count led to immune evaluation, which revealed the presence of severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome (SCIDS), an inherited disorder. A history of OPV and bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination in India led to the diagnoses of VAPP and BCG-osis, which were confirmed microbiologically. This report demonstrates the importance of obtaining a comprehensive clinical history in a child who has recently immigrated to the United States, with recognition that differing vaccine practices in other countries might require additional consideration of potential etiologies.

Newborn screening for severe combined immunodeficiency in 11 screening programs in the United States.

IMPORTANCE: Newborn screening for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) using assays to detect T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) began in Wisconsin in 2008, and SCID was added to the national recommended uniform panel for newborn screened disorders in 2010. Currently 23 states, the District of Columbia, and the Navajo Nation conduct population-wide newborn screening for SCID. The incidence of SCID is estimated at 1 in 100,000 births. OBJECTIVES: To present data from a spectrum of SCID newborn screening programs, establish population-based incidence for SCID and other conditions with T-cell lymphopenia, and document early institution of effective treatments. DESIGN: Epidemiological and retrospective observational study. SETTING: Representatives in states conducting SCID newborn screening were invited to submit their SCID screening algorithms, test performance data, and deidentified clinical and laboratory information regarding infants screened and cases with nonnormal results. Infants born from the start of each participating program from January 2008 through the most recent evaluable date prior to July 2013 were included. Representatives from 10 states plus the Navajo Area Indian Health Service contributed data from 3,030,083 newborns screened with a TREC test. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Infants with SCID and other diagnoses of T-cell lymphopenia were classified. Incidence and, where possible, etiologies were determined. Interventions and survival were tracked. RESULTS: Screening detected 52 cases of typical SCID, leaky SCID, and Omenn syndrome, affecting 1 in 58,000 infants (95% CI, 1/46,000-1/80,000). Survival of SCID-affected infants through their diagnosis and immune reconstitution was 87% (45/52), 92% (45/49) for infants who received transplantation, enzyme replacement, and/or gene therapy. Additional interventions for SCID and non-SCID T-cell lymphopenia included immunoglobulin infusions, preventive antibiotics, and avoidance of live vaccines. Variations in definitions and follow-up practices influenced the rates of detection of non-SCID T-cell lymphopenia. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Newborn screening in 11 programs in the United States identified SCID in 1 in 58,000 infants, with high survival. The usefulness of detection of non-SCID T-cell lymphopenias by the same screening remains to be determined.

Wound complications associated with bone morphogenetic protein-2 in orthopaedic trauma surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To document the incidence of postoperative wound complications associated with the use of rhBMP-2 in a large series of patients for both acute traumatic and reconstructive extremity cases. DESIGN: Retrospective chart and radiographic review. SETTING: Level I trauma center. METHODS: A retrospective chart and x-ray review was performed on cases between 2002 and 2009, in which rhBMP-2 (Infuse) was used in acute trauma or posttraumatic reconstruction. The following data points were collected: age, surgical site, purpose (acute vs. reconstructive), associated wound factors (open fractures, soft tissue injury requiring coverage, or history of infection), signs of infection (seroma, erythema, prolonged drainage, abscess), reoperation rate secondary to wound complication, culture results, and union. These cases were then compared with a matched cohort without the use of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (matched for age, type of case, anatomic site, and open injury) for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Group 1 was comprised a total of 193 patients whose treatment included rhBMP-2 (155 reconstructive and 38 acute open fractures). Group 2 was comprised 181 patients treated without the use of rhBMP-2 (145 reconstructive and 36 acute open fractures). The incidences of documented wound complications were 31% (60/193) in group 1 and 18% (33/181) in group 2 (P = 0.004). Reoperation rates for wound complications were in 3.1% of group 1 and 8.3% of group 2 (P = 0.04). Age, sex, anatomic site, acute trauma, open fracture, and the need for soft tissue reconstruction did not correlate with the need to return to the operating room for presumed or actual wound infection. The rates of union between rhBMP-2 and control groups were 90% versus 74% (P < 0.001); for acute trauma cases, 94% versus 79% (P = 0.220); and for reconstructive cases, 89% versus 73% (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The use of rhBMP-2 in both acute traumatic and posttraumatic reconstructive extremity surgery may increase the incidence of prolonged postoperative serous wound drainage. However, this does not seem to correlate with an increased incidence of postoperative wound infection or the need for reoperation. The use of rhBMP-2 seems to have a beneficial effect in improving union rates for both acute trauma and posttraumatic reconstruction of the extremities (P = 0.002); however, this and the mechanism for prolonged serous drainage require further study before definitive recommendations can be made. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.