Presentation and outcome of femoral infected non-unions in children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: To document the presentation of infected non-unions of femur in pediatric and adolescent population and evaluate the outcome of segmental bone transport with the Ilizarov method. METHODS: This prospective case series study was carried out over a period of five years, from January 01, 2015 to December 31, 2019. The study included all children and adolescent patients who presented with femoral infected non unions. The study excluded patients above the age of 16 years and those who had pathological fractures secondary to bone pathologies such as cysts, tumors or metabolic bone diseases. RESULTS: Out of 31 patients, 27(87.09%) were males and 4(12.90%) were females. The mean age was 13.48±1.98 years. The underlying mechanisms that lead to the causation of fractures included road traffic accidents (n=23;74.19%), fall from height (n=7;22.58%) and firearm injuries (n=1;3.22%). The bone gaps ranged from 3-5 cm with a mean of 4.00± 0.856 cm. Bone union was achieved among 28(90.32%) patients. Infection was eradicated among 27(87.09%) patients whereas the remaining patients continued to suffer persistent infection. The most common complications included pin tract inflammation/ infection among (n=31;100%) patients and stiffness of knee joint among (n=19;61.29%) patients. CONCLUSION: Majority of the patients were males, aged 9-16 years. Road traffic accidents were the commonest cause of the fractures. The Ilizarov method of segmental bone transport was effective in treating the majority of infected non-unions.

Presentation and management outcome of tibial infected non-union with Ilizarov technique.

OBJECTIVE: To document the presentation of tibial infected non-union and analyze the management outcome with Ilizarov technique in terms of bone results, functional outcome, bone transport time, external fixation time, external fixation index and any complications. METHODS: This case series was conducted at the Departments of Orthopedic Surgery, National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM), Islamabad and Civil hospital, Quetta over a period of 3-years. RESULTS: There were 56 patients with 53(94.64%) males and 3(5.35%) females. The age range was 16-50 years with a mean of 32.58±9.98years. According to ASAMI criteria, bone results were excellent in 37(66%), good in 10(17.85%), fair in 6(10.71%) and poor in 3(5.35%). The functional results were excellent in 37(66%), good in 9(16%), fair in 7(12.5%) and poor in 3(5.35%). The bone union rate was 98.21%. CONCLUSION: Ilizarov method beautifully addresses the formidable issue of infected non union of tibia with good outcome in terms of bone healing and infection eradication. The treatment period is relatively lengthy and hence patience on part of patient as well as the surgical team is imperative for achieving favourable outcomes.

Outcome of complex non-unions of femoral fractures managed with Ilizarov method of distraction osteogenesis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the management outcome of complex non-union of femoral fractures with Ilizarov method in terms of bone union, functional results and any complications. METHODS: This case series study was carried out at the Departments of Orthopedic Surgery, National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM), Islamabad and Civil hospital, Quetta over a period of three and half years, January 1, 2015 to June 30,2018. RESULTS: There were 50 patients in the study. There were 48(96%) males and 2(4%) females. The ages ranged between 17-54 years with a mean of 33.58±8.9 years. As per ASAMI criteria, the bone results were excellent in 17(34%), good in 30(60%), fair in 1(2%) and poor in 2(4%) patients. The functional results were excellent in 15(30%), good in 24(48%), fair in 8(16%) and poor in 3(6%). The bone union rate was 98% whereas infection eradication rate was 94%. The most frequent complications were pin tract infection affecting 80% patients, knee stiffness 60% patients and K-wires loosening 20% patients. CONCLUSION: The Ilizarov method provides an effective solution to address the complex non-union of femur fractures. It helps to ensure fracture healing, eradicates infection and provides good functional outcome. The attended complications are mild to moderate and manageable with conservative means.

Lower Limb Salvage For Tumours Around The Knee Using Oncological Resections And Megaprosthetic Reconstructions.

BACKGROUND: This descriptive case series documented the clinical presentation of tumours around the knee in our population and explored the outcome of lower limb salvage with oncological resections and megaprosthetic reconstructions. The variables analysed included return of knee function, disease free survival and any complications observed over a follow up period of 5-years. METHODS: The study spanned over a period of 13-years. It included adult patients of all genders who presented with tumours around the knee and underwent tumour resections followed by megaprosthetic reconstructions at our institute. RESULTS: Out of 73 patients, there were 43 (58.90%) males and 30 (41.09%) females. Their ages ranged between 16-53 years with a mean of 32.97±10.68 years. The tumours included giant cell tumours (n=41), osteosarcomas (n=24), Spindle cell sarcoma (n=5), chondrosarcoma (n=2) and Ewing's sarcoma (n=1). The average postoperative musculoskeletal tumour society (MSTS) score was 84.65%. Various complications encountered included superficial infections/ delayed wound healing among 9 (12.32%) patients, local recurrence in 6 (8.21%), deep infections among 5 (6.84%) and transient palsy of peroneal nerve in 3 (4.10%) cases. There was aseptic loosening and traumatic disruption of extensor mechanism one each (1.36%). There were 7 (9.58%) mortalities in our series. CONCLUSIONS: Giant cell tumours and osteosarcomas were the most frequent tumours observed around the knee. The tumours affected relatively younger population. Safe oncological resections of the tumours followed by megaprosthetic reconstructions provided reasonable outcome in the majority of patients.

Successful Treatment of Well-Developed Accessory Lower Limb Associated with Spinal Dysraphism.

Accessory lower limb with spinal dysraphism are amongst the rarest known anomalies. We successfully managed a 5-months old female infant with surgical ablation of the accessory lower limb and repair of the associated large lipomyelomeningocele. A comprehensive review of the relevant literature was undertaken and presented herein. A classification system for accessory lower limb is also proposed.

Novel homozygous mutations in the WNT10B gene underlying autosomal recessive split hand/foot malformation in three consanguineous families.

Split-hand/split-foot malformation (SHFM), representing variable degree of median clefts of hands and feet, is a genetically heterogeneous group of limb malformations with seven loci mapped on different human chromosomes. However, only 3 genes (TP63, WNT10B, DLX5) for the seven loci have been identified. The study, presented here, described three consanguineous Pakistani families segregating SHFM in autosomal recessive manner. Linkage in the families was searched by genotyping microsatellite markers and mutation screening of candidate gene was performed by Sanger DNA sequencing. Clinical features of affected members of these families exhibited SHFM phenotype with involvement of hands and feet. Genotyping using microsatellite markers mapped the families to WNT10B gene at SHFM6 on chromosome 12q13.11-q13. Subsequently, sequence analysis of WNT10B gene revealed a novel 4-bp deletion mutation (c.1165_1168delAAGT) in one family and 7-bp duplication (c.300_306dupAGGGCGG) in two other families. Structure-based analysis showed a significant conformational shift in the active binding site of mutated WNT10B (p.Lys388Glufs*36), influencing binding with Fzd8. The mutations identified in the WNT10B gene extend the body of evidence implicating it in the pathogenesis of SHFM.