Modified Capsulorrhaphy Technique in Open Reduction of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip.

BACKGROUND: Neglected patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) are not uncommon. Various treatment modalities have been used. Capsulorrhaphy is one of the most critical steps during the process of open reduction of DDH. Inadequate capsulorrhaphy technique can increase the failure rate of open reduction procedures. This study presented the clinical and radiographic results of using a new capsulorrhaphy technique. METHODS: Between November 2005 and March 2018, 540 DDH in 462 patients were retrospectively reviewed. The mean age at surgery was 31 months. All patients underwent a modified capsulorrhaphy technique developed by the main author (with or without additional pelvic or femoral procedures). Postoperative patient assessment during the follow-up period was performed both clinically and radiologically. RESULTS: Follow-up period ranged between 36 months and 12 years. Based on the modified McKay score, good and excellent outcomes were obtained in 90.3%. Functional results were better in younger age (less than 39 mo). Both acetabular index and lateral center edge angle showed significant improvement at 3 years follow-ups. Proximal femoral growth disturbance (PFGD) was encountered in 92 hips. Classes 2 and 3 did not affect the functional results, whereas patients with PFGD classes 4 and 5 had fair to poor functional outcomes. There were 12 hips with redislocation. Revision was done using the same capsulorrhaphy technique. CONCLUSION: Using the index technique of capsulorrhaphy in DDH surgery is safe, reliable, and yields good functional and radiologic outcomes with a relatively low complication rate. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-therapeutic retrospective case series.

Recurrent heel ulcers with calcaneal osteomyelitis in myelomeningocele: Treatment by partial calcanectomy and posterior transfer of tibialis anterior tendon.

OVERVIEW: Calcaneus deformity of the foot is common in patients with myelodysplasia, mainly due to muscle imbalance. This deformity, especially in ambulatory patients, can result in gait problems and development of pressure sores, which can be complicated by calcaneal osteomyelitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 12 patients (18 feet), with calcaneus deformity due to myelomeningocele, and presented with penetrating heel ulcers complicated by calcaneal osteomyelitis. The mean age of the included cases was 11 years. The ulcers were unilateral in six patients and bilateral in six. Sensation was absent on the plantar aspect of the foot in all cases. The treatment was done in two stages; The first stage was eradication of infection and obtaining good soft tissue coverage, and the second stage was obtaining motor balance to achieve a more plantigrade and braceable foot. RESULTS: The average follow-up period was 19.2 months. In the final follow-up, twelve feet were graded as good, five as fair and one as poor according to Legaspi grading system. CONCLUSION: The combination of partial calcanectomy and subsequent transfer of tibialis anterior tendon, to improve the foot position and gait, can efficiently prevent ulcer recurrence in myelomeningocele patients with calcaneal deformity. LEVEL OF CLINICAL EVIDENCE: 4: Retrospective case series study.

Fixator-assisted Percutaneous Plate Fixation of Complex Diaphyseal Tibial Fractures.

AIM: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the results of indirect reduction and fixation of comminuted diaphyseal tibial fractures using temporary simplified external fixator and plate osteosynthesis through a limited incision approach with special consideration of the duration of surgery and rate of complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective case series study, 41 cases of comminuted diaphyseal tibial fractures were included. Twenty-two were closed fractures, 15 grade I open fractures, and four were grade II open fractures. Patients were evaluated clinically according to the lower extremity functional scale (LEFS). RESULTS: Of the 41 cases, 38 were followed up for at least 1 year. Using the LEFS, final scores ranged from 67-80 (mean 75). Union was achieved in all cases except one which united after bone grafting. The mean time to radiological healing was 12 weeks. Operative time from skin incision to closure ranged between 65 minutes and 100 minutes (mean of 80 minutes). There were four cases of superficial infection. CONCLUSION: Treatment of comminuted tibial fractures through use the of a simplified external fixator to aid and maintain the reduction of comminuted tibial fractures whilst limited incisions are then used for minimally-invasive plate osteosynthesis in an effective and time-saving method with a low complication rate. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Nada AA, Romeih M, El-Rosasy M. Fixator-assisted Percutaneous Plate Fixation of Complex Diaphyseal Tibial Fractures. Strategies Trauma Limb Reconstr 2019;14(1):25-28.