Evaluation of Functional Outcome and Complications in Bridge Plating Compared to Transarticular Screws for Lisfranc Injuries: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

The optimal treatment strategy of Lisfranc injury is still in debate. This study aimed to compare the functional outcome and complications of dorsal bridge plating (BP) and transarticular screws (TAS). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the present literature was performed. PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched using set search criteria and date range January 2000 to July 26, 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational comparative studies concerning the outcome of dorsal BP and TAS for the fixation of Lisfranc injuries were eligible for inclusion. Random effect models were used to analyze pooled data. Forest plots using 95% confidence intervals (CI) were created to illustrate mean differences and odds ratios. Four observational studies were eligible for inclusion, including 111 patients in the BP group and 87 patients in the TAS group. American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was significantly higher in the BP group (mean difference 7.08, 95% CI 1.50-12.66, p = .01). Osteoarthritis was significantly less common in the BP group compared to the TAS group (odds ratio 0.45, 95% CI 0.22-0.94, p = .03). No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of postoperative infection, hardware removal, chronic pain, and secondary arthrodesis. Dorsal bridge plating of fractures in the Lisfranc joint may lead to better functional outcome and a lower incidence of post-traumatic arthritis when compared to transarticular screws. A larger body of high-quality evidence is required to independently analyze the severity of fractures in the different columns involved and subsequent outcomes of operative management.

Management and Outcome of Hindfoot Trauma With Concomitant Talar Head Injury.

BACKGROUND: Talar head fractures account for 2.6% to 10% of all talar fractures and are often associated with concomitant musculoskeletal injuries. The current literature only describes a total of 14 patients with talar head fractures and, with that, guidelines for management are lacking. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the management and long-term outcome of patients who have hindfoot trauma with concomitant talar head fractures. METHODS: This study includes a retrospective cohort of patients with talar head fractures. Patient characteristics, trauma mechanism, fracture characteristics, treatment, follow-up, and complications were reported. Functional outcome was assessed using the Foot Function Index (FFI) and the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score. Quality of life was measured by the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D). Twenty-one patients with acute fractures of the talar head were identified. The mean follow-up time was 4.9 years. RESULTS: All patients sustained additional ipsilateral foot and/or ankle injuries. Fifteen patients had operative management of their talar head fracture. There were no postoperative wound infections and no cases of avascular necrosis. All fractures united, and 29% of patients developed posttraumatic osteoarthritis. The overall mean FFI score index was 34.2, and the mean AOFAS score was 70.7. The mean EQ-5D index score was 0.74. CONCLUSION: Talar head fractures always coincided with other (foot) fractures. Management and long-term functional outcome were affected by the extent of associated injuries. Due to the low incidence and high complexity of talar head fractures, early referral to dedicated foot surgeons and centralization of complex foot surgery is recommended. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Treating fractures in upper limb gunshot injuries: The Cape Town experience.

BACKGROUND: Upper extremity gunshot fractures are generally treated conservatively or surgically using open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), intramedullary nails (IM) or external fixators. However, there is no gold standard for the management of these complex, multi-fragmentary upper extremity fractures. The aim was to describe and identify the injury patterns, management, complications and associated risk factors for upper extremity gunshot fractures. PATIENT AND METHODS: Data of patients with upper extremity gunshot injuries that presented to a Level I Trauma Unit in Cape Town, South Africa was collected prospectively over a ten-month period from June 2014 to April 2015. Clinical notes and radiographs were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Fifty-one of 90 patients (56.7%) with ballistic injuries had fractures, 30% had neurovascular injuries and 75% had additional injuries to other anatomical structures including head, neck, spine, chest, abdomen, pelvis and urogenital tract. Most fractures were diaphyseal, multi-fragmentary and extra-articular. Fractures were treated conservatively in more than half of the cases. Median fracture length was 5.5 centimetres. A longer fracture zone was statistically associated with surgical treatment. When surgically treated, open reduction and internal fixation was most often performed. Median hospital stay was six days. Infection and injury severity prolonged hospital stay. DISCUSSION: In contrast to studies from the USA and Europe, most fractures in this study were managed conservatively. High quality prospective controlled trials are required to evaluate radiographic and clinical outcomes of treatment methods for upper extremity gunshot injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, case series.