More Adverse Events after Osteosyntheses Compared to Arthroplasty in Geriatric Proximal Humeral Fractures Involving Anatomical Neck.

The purpose of this study was to compare adverse events and clinical outcomes of geriatric proximal humerus fractures (PHF) involving the anatomical neck (type C according to AO classification) treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) using locking plate vs. arthroplasty. In this retrospective cohort study, geriatric patients (>64 years) who underwent operative treatment using ORIF or arthroplasty for type C PHFs were included. Complications, revisions and clinical outcomes using Constant Murley Score (CMS) and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Score were assessed and compared between groups. At a mean follow up of 2.7 ± 1.7 years, 59 patients (mean age 75.3 ± 5.5 years) were included. In 31 patients ORIF was performed and 29 patients underwent arthroplasty. Complications and revision surgeries were significantly more frequent after ORIF (32.6% vs. 7.1%, p = 0.023 and 29.0% vs. 7.1%, p = 0.045). In contrast, clinical outcomes showed no significant differences (DASH 39.9 ± 25.7 vs. 39.25 ± 24.5, p = 0.922; CMS 49.7 ± 29.2 vs. 49.4 ± 25.2, p = 0.731). ORIF of type C PHFs in geriatric patients results in significantly more complications and revision surgery when compared to arthroplasty. Therefore, osteosynthesis of geriatric intraarticular fractures of the proximal humerus must be critically evaluated.

Jejunal Diverticulosis Probably Leading to Pylephlebitis of the Superior Mesenteric Vein.

Thrombophlebitis of the portal vein (pylephlebitis) is a rare but serious condition with a high mortality rate of 11-50%. A 56-year-old male patient presented with a two-day history of postprandial, colic-like epigastric pain, nausea, fever, chills, and diarrhea. Clinical workup showed peritonism, leukocytosis, and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP). A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a long-segment, partial thrombosis of the superior mesenteric vein as well as gas in the portal venous system. Additionally, extensive jejunal diverticulosis was present. Pylephlebitis mostly results from intestinal infections, e.g., appendicitis or diverticulitis. We assumed that the patient had suffered from a self-limiting episode of jejunal diverticulitis leading to septic thrombosis. Initially, antibiotic therapy and anticoagulation with heparin were administered. The patient deteriorated, and due to increasing abdominal defense, fever, and hypotension, a diagnostic laparoscopy was performed. Bowel ischemia could be ruled out, and after changing antibiotic therapy, the patient's condition improved. He was discharged without any further complications and without complaints on day 13. An underlying coagulopathy like myeloproliferative neoplasm or antiphospholipid syndrome could be ruled out.

Mantle cell lymphoma-rare differential diagnosis of a tumor in the vermiform appendix.

Although the most common localization of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the gastrointestinal system, the infiltration of the vermiform appendix is a very rare condition. We report a case of mantle cell lymphoma affecting the appendix as an incidental finding due to gynecological surgery. A 57-year-old woman presented with increasing pain in the right lower abdomen since months. During gynecological evaluation an inhomogenous mass in the right ovarian place was noticed and misinterpreted as ovarian tumor. Laparoscopic ovarectomy was planned. The intraoperative situs showed surprisingly a massive enlarged appendix and completely normal ovaries. Since the lesion was suspicious for appendiceal cancer, a right hemicolectomy was performed. Histopathology revealed a non-Hodgkin lymphoma with immunohistochemical proof of blastoid B-cells, a mantle cell lymphoma. Polychemotherapy was administered.

Rate of avascular necrosis after fracture dislocations of the proximal humerus: Timing of surgery.

BACKGROUND: Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the humeral head is a severe complication after proximal humerus fracture dislocations, and leads to a poorer clinical outcome and subsequent revision surgeries. The aim of the current study was to analyze the influence of time to surgery on the AVN rate after locked plating of dislocation fractures of the proximal humerus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 30 patients with a mean age of 63 ± 14 years with dislocation fractures of the proximal humerus type B3 or C3 according the AO/OTA classification. The rates of AVN of the humeral head were determined clinically and radiographically. In addition, the clinical outcome was determined using the Constant score (CS), the age- and sex-adjusted Constant score (CS%), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, the range of motion, and complication and revision rates. Patients were subdivided into groups of subjects operated on early (≤48 h after trauma) and those with late surgery (>48 h after trauma), and the relative risk (RR) for complications and revisions was determined for both groups. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 37 months (range: 12-66 month) the mean CS% was 60 ± 24 and the mean DASH score was 32 ± 24 points. Ten patients (33%) developed a symptomatic AVN, and ten patients underwent revision surgery. Early surgery was performed on 25 patients while five patients underwent late surgery. After late surgery, all five patients developed AVN, and patients had a fivefold increased RR for AVN (p = 0.002) and subsequent associated surgical revision (RR = 3.3, p = 0.031). CONCLUSION: In fracture dislocations of the proximal humerus, early surgery within 48 h of trauma significantly decreases the risk of AVN and subsequent surgery.

Quality of Reduction Influences Outcome After Locked-Plate Fixation of Proximal Humeral Type-C Fractures.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine if fracture reduction, fracture pattern, and patient-related factors influence clinical outcome after locked-plate fixation of displaced proximal humeral fractures. METHODS: Ninety-eight patients (mean age, 61.1 ± 11.2 years) with a proximal humeral fracture involving the anatomical neck (type C according to the OTA/AO classification system) were included. Clinical outcome was determined by age and sex-adjusted Constant score (CS%) and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score. Fracture reduction was quantitatively determined by 3 parameters (head-shaft displacement, head-shaft alignment, and cranialization of the greater tuberosity), and patients were divided into groups according to anatomical reduction, acceptable reduction, or malreduction. Relative risk (RR) for complications, revision surgery, and inferior clinical outcome (CS of <50%) was determined according to the quality of fracture reduction and fracture pattern (disruption of the medial hinge; type-C3 fracture) and patient-related factors (age; comorbidities). RESULTS: After a mean of 3.1 ± 1.5 years, the mean CS% and DASH score were 54.8% ± 28.0% and 31.9 ± 24.8, respectively. The complication rate was 32.7% (n = 32), and 27 patients (27.6%) required revision surgery. Anatomical or acceptable fracture reduction was achieved in 40 (40.8%) of the patients. This resulted in a significantly lower complication rate (20.0% compared with 41.4% among the patients with malreduction; p = 0.027), a trend of lower revision rate (20% compared with 32.8%; p = 0.165), and better clinical outcome (mean CS% of 65.4% ± 28.2% compared with 47.6% ± 25.7%; p = 0.002) without a higher risk for osteonecrosis of the humeral head (5% compared with 10.3%). Cranialization of the greater tuberosity of >5 mm (n = 25), head-shaft displacement of >5 mm (n = 50), and valgus head-shaft alignment (n = 12) all increased the RR for inferior clinical outcome by twofold to threefold. Conversely, a patient age of >65 years (n = 31) and an OTA/AO type-C3 fracture pattern (n = 38) were not significantly associated with complications and inferior clinical outcome (RR, 0.9 to 1.8). CONCLUSIONS: Anatomical fracture reduction with a locked plate significantly improved the clinical outcome of unstable and displaced proximal humeral fractures involving the anatomical neck. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.