Delayed surgery in displaced paediatric supracondylar fractures: a safe approach? Results from a large UK tertiary paediatric trauma centre.

BACKGROUND: Displaced paediatric supracondylar humeral fractures pose a significant risk of neurovascular injury and consequently have traditionally been treated as a surgical emergency. Recently, the need for emergency surgery has been questioned. We wished to analyse our experience at a large UK tertiary paediatric trauma centre. METHODS: A retrospective case note review was performed on patients with Gartland Grades 2 and 3 supracondylar fractures observed in a 2-year period from July 2008 to July 2010. We divided children into those treated before 12 h (early surgery) and after 12 h (delayed surgery). Analysis was undertaken using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Of the 137 patients, 115 were included in the study; median time-to-surgery was 15:30 (range 2:45-62:50); thirty-nine children were treated before 12 h and 76 patients after. In the early surgery group, three children (7.7%) developed a superficial pin-site infection, four children (10.3%) required open reduction, five children (12.8%) sustained an iatrogenic nerve injury, and two children (5%) required reoperation. In the delayed surgery group, one child (1.3%) had a superficial pin-site infection, four children (5.3%) required open reduction, seven children (9.2%) sustained an iatrogenic nerve injury, and two children (2.6%) reoperation. Bivariate analysis of our data using Fisher's exact t test revealed no statistically significant difference between early and delayed surgery groups with regard to infection rates (p = 0.1), iatrogenic nerve injury (p = 0.53) or need for open reduction (p = 0.44). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that delayed surgery appears to offer a safe management approach in the treatment of displaced supracondylar fractures, but it is important that cases are carefully evaluated on an individual basis. These results indicate that patient transfer to a specialist paediatric centre, often with consequent surgical delay, is a safe management option and also negates the obligation to carry out these procedures at night.

Fixation of unstable ankle fractures using a long hindfoot nail.

BACKGROUND: Management of fragility fractures of the ankle is challenging. Non-operative treatment often requires significant periods of reduced weight bearing. Operative fixation is difficult due to osteoporotic bone and poor soft tissues. The aim of this study was to review the initial experience of treating unstable ankle fractures with a retrograde femoral nail used as a long tibiotalocalcaneal nail. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients were treated from January 2014 until November 2017. Mean age was 73 (50-96) and twelve of the sixteen patients were female. All patients had three or more co-morbidities and an American Society of Anaesthesiologists score of 3. All patients had unstable ankle fracture configurations and were classified using the AO classification. RESULTS: All patients regained baseline mobility by final follow-up (mean 21 months follow-up). Four of the sixteen patients died within 12 months of surgery. There were no wound complications or deep infections. There were no cases of metalwork failure or peri-prosthetic fracture. DISCUSSION: Use of a retrograde femoral nail has been shown to be a safe and effective option in the management of unstable ankle fractures in elderly and frail patients. This technique may lead to lower wound complications compared to traditional fixation techniques and allows earlier mobilisation.

Spilled gallstones during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Incidental gallbladder cancer is found in 0.6-2.1% of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstones. Patients with Tis or T1a tumours generally undergo no further intervention. However, spilled stones during surgery may have catastrophic consequences. We present a case and suggest aggressive management in patients with incidental gallbladder cancer who had spilled gallstones at surgery. CASE HISTORY: A 37-year-old woman underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstones, during which some stones were spilled into the peritoneal cavity. Subsequent histological examination confirmed incidental pT1a gallbladder cancer. Hepatopancreatobiliary multidisciplinary team discussion agreed on regular six-monthly follow-up. The patient developed recurrent pain two years after surgery. Computed tomography revealed a lesion in segment 6 of the liver. At laparotomy, multiple tumour embedded gallstones were found on the diaphragm. Histological examination showed features (akin to the original pathology) consistent with a metastatic gallbladder tumour. CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the potential for recurrence of early stage disease resulting from implantation of dysplastic or malignant cells carried through spilled gallstones. It is therefore important to know if stones were spilled during original surgery in patients with incidental gallbladder cancer following a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Aggressive and early surgical management should be considered for these patients.

The effect of a dedicated Ponseti service on the outcome of idiopathic clubfoot treatment.

We report the effect of introducing a dedicated Ponseti service on the five-year treatment outcomes of children with idiopathic clubfoot. Between 2002 and 2004, 100 feet (66 children; 50 boys and 16 girls) were treated in a general paediatric orthopaedic clinic. Of these, 96 feet (96%) responded to initial casting, 85 requiring a tenotomy of the tendo-Achillis. Recurrent deformity occurred in 38 feet and was successfully treated in 22 by repeat casting and/or tenotomy and/or transfer of the tendon of tibialis anterior, The remaining 16 required an extensive surgical release. Between 2005 and 2006, 72 feet (53 children; 33 boys and 20 girls) were treated in a dedicated multidisciplinary Ponseti clinic. All responded to initial casting: 60 feet (83.3%) required a tenotomy of the tendo-Achillis. Recurrent deformity developed in 14, 11 of which were successfully treated by repeat casting and/or tenotomy and/or transfer of the tendon of tibialis anterior. The other three required an extensive surgical release. Statistical analysis showed that children treated in the dedicated Ponseti clinic had a lower rate of recurrence (p = 0.068) and a lower rate of surgical release (p = 0.01) than those treated in the general clinic. This study shows that a dedicated Ponseti clinic, run by a well-trained multidisciplinary team, can improve the outcome of idiopathic clubfoot deformity.