Better outcomes using suture button compared to screw fixation in talofibular syndesmotic injuries of the ankle: a level I evidence-based meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The present meta-analysis evaluated current level I clinical trials which compared the use of a suture button (SB) versus syndesmotic screw (SS) fixation techniques for syndesmosis injuries of the ankle. The outcomes of interest were to compare patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and complications. It was hypothesised that SB might achieve better PROMs along with a lower rate of complications. METHODS: This study was conducted according to the 2020 PRISMA statement. In August 2023, PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Embase were accessed. All the randomised controlled trials (RCTs) which compared SB versus SS fixation for syndesmosis injuries of the ankle were accessed. Data concerning the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS), and Olerud-Molander score (OMS) were collected at baseline and at last follow-up. Data on implant failure, implant removal, and joint malreduction were also retrieved. RESULTS: Data from seven RCTs (490 patients) were collected. 33% (161 of 490) were women. The mean length of the follow-up was 30.8 ± 27.4 months. The mean age of the patients was 41.1 ± 4.1 years. Between the two groups (SB and SS), comparability was found in the mean age, and men:women ratio. The SS group evidenced lower OMS (P = 0.0006) and lower AOFAS (P = 0.03). The SS group evidenced a greater rate of implant failure (P = 0.0003), implant removal (P = 0.0005), and malreduction (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Suture button fixation might perform better than the syndesmotic screw fixation in syndesmotic injuries of the ankle.

Surgical treatment of proximal ulna nonunion.

We reviewed our experience in the surgical treatment of 12 cases of proximal ulna nonunion. The primary injuries were 2 fracture-dislocations of the olecranon, 6 Monteggia lesions and 3 isolated fractures of the proximal ulna. According to the type of primary injury and its anatomical site, the nonunions were classified into 2 groups, considering that the nonunions nearest to the humerus-ulna joint present a more disabling clinical profile and are more difficult to treat: group A (6 patients - nonunion within 5 cm from the olecranon tip of the olecranon) and group B (6 patients - nonunion between 5 and 10 cm from the olecranon tip of the olecranon). In all cases, after fibrous callus debridement and bone surface remodelling, fixation was performed with plate and screws and homoplastic cortical bone graft (orthogonal or parallel to the plate) and an intercalary bone cylinder when the bone defect was severe. In 3 patients (group A), where the defect was smaller than 1 cm, fixation of the ulna was combined with a resection of the radial neck. Clinical-radiographic healing was achieved in all patients followed for a mean of 27 months. Complications included a case of nonunion due to failure of the intercalary graft with plate breakage. The patient healed after a new surgery performed with same technique. The score, according to the Broberg-Morrey scoring system, was 78 in group A patients and 93 in group B patients. The use of homoplastic cortical bone graft represents an effective technique to improve the mechanical properties of the fixation and supports biological union, even when the bone defect is severe.