The use of external fixators in the definitive stabilisation of the pelvis in polytrauma patients: Safety, efficacy and clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the complications and outcomes (functional/radiographic) of Pelvic External Fixators applied as part of the definitive fixation in polytrauma patients. DESIGN: A single center retrospective chart review. SETTING: A level-1 trauma center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed all the polytrauma patients (ISS>16) between 2007 and 2012 that had a PEF applied more than 30days. Complications including infection, aseptic loosening, neurological injury, loss of reduction, non-union and mal-union were recorded. Pelvic asymmetry and Deformity Index (DI) were measured at the immediate postoperative radiographs and final follow-up. The functional outcome at final follow up was estimated using a scale previously reported by Chiou et al. RESULTS: 59 patients with mean age of 38.4 (16 - 81) years and mean ISS score 28 (16- 66) were included. The PEFs were applied for mean duration of 56 (30-104) days. The average follow-up was 403days. 22 injuries were type B and 37 type C (AO/OTA). The most common symptomatic complications were pin site infection in 11 (18.6%) and loosening in 5 (8.5%) cases. 44 (74.5%) patients had satisfactory functional outcome. The immediate post-operative and final asymmetry and DI were compared between the two pelvic injury groups (type B and C fractures). The difference in displacement progression was more for type C injuries (p=0.034) but no correlation to the functional outcome was evident. CONCLUSION: PEF can be used as definitive alternative stabilization method in specific situations at polytrauma setting. Radiological displacement occurred in both type B and C injuries but the clinical outcome was not correlated to this displacement. Complications related to PEF do not affect the final clinical outcome. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III.

A Comprehensive Analysis of the Causes and Predictors of 30-Day Mortality Following Hip Fracture Surgery.

BACKGROUND: A fracture neck of femur is the leading cause of injury-related mortality in the elderly population. The 30-day mortality figure is a well utilised marker of clinical outcome following a fracture neck of femur. Current studies fail to analyse all patient demographic, biochemical and comorbid parameters associated with increased 30-day mortality. We aimed to assess medical risk factors for mortality, which are easily identifiable on admission for patients presenting with a fractured neck of femur. METHODS: A retrospective review of a prospectively populated database was undertaken to identify all consecutive patients with a fracture neck of femur between October 2008 and March 2011. All factors related to the patient, injury and surgery were identified. The primary outcome of interest was 30-day mortality. Univariate and subsequent multivariate analyses using a backward stepwise likelihood ratio Cox regression model were performed in order to establish all parameters that significantly increased the risk of death. RESULTS: A total of 1,356 patients were included in the study. The 30-day mortality was 8.7%. The most common causes of death included pneumonia, sepsis and acute myocardial infarction. Multiple regression analysis revealed male gender, increasing age, admission source other than the patient's own home, admission haemoglobin of less than 10 g/dL, a history of myocardial infarction, concomitant chest infection during admission, increasing Charlson comorbidity score and liver disease to be significant predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: This study has elucidated risk factors for mortality using clinical and biochemical information which are easily gathered at the point of hospitalization. These results allow for identification of vulnerable patients who may benefit from a prioritisation of resources.

Cast index in predicting outcome of proximal pediatric forearm fractures.

BACKGROUND: Many pediatric forearm fractures can be treated in plaster following closed reduction. The cast index (CI, a ratio of anteroposterior to lateral internal diameters of the cast at the fracture site) is a simple, reliable marker of quality of molding and a CI of >0.8 correlates with increased risk of redisplacement. Previously, CI has been applied to all forearm fractures. We hypothesize that an acceptable CI is more difficult to achieve and does not predict outcome in fractures of the proximal forearm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventynine cases of pediatric forearm fractures initially treated by manipulation alone over a year were included in this retrospective radiographic analysis. The CI was calculated from the post manipulation radiographs. All fractures were divided as either proximal or distal half forearm based on the location of the radius fracture. Subsequent radiographs were reviewed to assess redisplacement and reoperation. RESULTS: The mean CI was 0.77. Remanipulation was required in five cases (6%), all distal half fractures - mean CI 0.79. CI was higher in proximal half forearm fractures (0.83 vs. 0.76, P = 0.006), nonetheless these fractures did not re-displace more than distal fractures. CONCLUSION: Cast index is useful in predicting redisplacement of manipulated distal forearm fractures. We found that in proximal half forearm fractures it is difficult to achieve a CI of <0.8, but increased CI does not predict loss of position in these fractures. We therefore discourage the use of CI in proximal half forearm fractures.