Comparing the outcomes of tripod technique and locked plate fixation for the treatment of Mason type 3 radial head fractures.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to compare functional outcomes and complication rates of tripod technique and locked plate fixation used in Mason type 3 radial head fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2012 and December 2019, a total of 27 patients (16 males, 11 females; median age: 43.2 years; range, 20 to 68 years) with Mason type 3 radial head fractures were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups according to fixation method used. Group 1 consisted of 12 patients who were treated with tripod technique, and Group 2 consisted of 15 patients who were treated with locked plate fixation. Operation time, follow-up period, length of hospital stay, union time, Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores, range of motions and complications were recorded. RESULTS: The median time to bone union was 46.7 days in Group 1, which was significantly shorter than Group 2 (p<0.001). The median forearm pronation-supination arc was 123.75° (range, 30° to 180°) in Group 1 and was 94° (range, 45° to 180°) in Group 2. There was no significant difference in the forearm rotation between the groups. The median elbow flexion-extension arc was 99.17° (range, 65° to 130°) in Group 1 and was 80.33° (range, 30° to 130°) in Group 2. No statistically significant difference was found in the flexion-extension and pronation-supination arc degrees. There was no significant difference in the postoperative DASH scores between the groups (p=0.464). CONCLUSION: Our study results demonstrate that comparable results can be achieved in both techniques regarding functional outcome and range of motion. With a shorter union time and less complication rates, the tripod technique should be considered as the primary treatment method for the comminuted radial head fractures without a metaphyseal defect.

Does the use of antibiotic spacer disrupt induced membrane function?

Treatment of large segmental bone defects has been a challenging and long process for both physicians and patients. At present, the induced membrane technique is one of the reconstruction techniques commonly utilized in treating large segmental bone defects. It consists of a two-step procedure. In the first one, after bone debridement, the defect is filled with bone cement. The aim at this stage is to support and protect the defective area with cement. A membrane is formed around the area where cement was inserted 4-6 weeks after the first surgical stage. This membrane secretes vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), as shown in the earliest studies. In the second step, the bone cement is removed, and the defect is filled with cancellous bone autograft. In the first stage, antibiotics can be added to the applied bone cement, depending on the infection. Still, the histological and micromolecular effects of the added antibiotic on the membrane are unknown.This study investigates the molecular and histological effects of antibiotics addition into bone cement on the induced membrane.In this study, conducted on 27 male New Zealand rabbits, the 2 cm long defects of a bone were created in the rabbit femurs. Three groups were formed by placing antibiotic-free, gentamicin, and vancomycin-containing cement in the defect area.These groups were followed for six weeks, and the membrane formed at the end of 6 weeks was examined histologically. As a result of this study, it found that the membrane quality markers (Von Willebrand factor (vwf), Interleukin 6-8 (IL), Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß), Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were significantly higher in the antibiotic-free bone cement group. Our study has shown that antibiotics added to the cement have negative effects on the membrane. Based on the results we obtained, it would be a better choice to use antibiotic-free cement in aseptic nonunions. However, more data is needed to understand the effects of these changes on the cement on the membrane.

Comparison of Distal Radius Autograft Technique with Iliac Crest Autograft Technique in Solitary Finger Enchondromas.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to compare clinical and radiological outcomes of autografts obtained from the iliac crest (IC) and distal radius (DR) and to evaluate their superiority for surgical treatment of solitary finger enchondromas. Methods: Twenty-five patients for whom curettage and autografting were carried out for finger enchondroma were retrospectively analyzed. DR autograft was used in eight patients and IC autograft was used in 17 patients. Data on pre-operative total active motion (TAM), disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) score, and pain visual analog scale (VAS) scores of the involved finger, duration of surgery, amount of bleeding during the operation, length of hospital stay, presence of complications related to anesthesia, and post-operative donor site morbidity were obtained. Pre-operative and post-operative 12th month radiographies were evaluated for pre-operative tumor volume, post-operative remnant volume, and Tordai radiologic evaluation grade. Results: No statistically significant difference could be identified between post-operative TAM (p=0.154), DASH (p=0.458), pain VAS scores (p=0.571), remnant volume (p=0.496), Tordai radiologic evaluation grade (p=0.522), duration of surgery (p=0.288), and amount of bleeding (p=0.114) between DR and IC groups. However, mean hospital stay duration was shorter for the DR group (p=0.0001). Recurrence was observed in one patient in the DR group and three patients in the IC group (p=0.996). Conclusion: The clinical and radiological outcomes of grafting from the DR and IC were similar in the treatment of hand enchondromas. However, grafting from the DR may result in shorter hospital stay compared to IC grafting.