Biomechanical analysis of push-pull principle versus traditional approach in locking plates for proximal humeral fracture treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Proximal humerus fractures are usually treated with locking plates, which could present recurrence, screw penetration, joint varization. The push-pull principle was introduced to prevent these risks and showed promising results; a dedicated design was then developed and this feasibility study aims to compare the biomechanical performances of such dedicated push-pull plate with the traditional locking plate using finite elements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The humerus geometry was obtained from Sawbone CT-scans; the geometries of a traditional locking plate and of the dedicated push-pull one were used. A fracture was added below the humeral head and the plates were virtually implanted. The wire pulling mechanism was simulated connecting the plate to the humeral head apex, considering two levels of tension. Three testing set-ups (axial, torsion and compression bending) were simulated. Stress distributions on bone, plate and screws were measured. RESULTS: Stress distribution on the distal humerus was similar for both plates. Stress distribution on the proximal humerus was more homogeneous for the push-pull model, showing less unloaded sections (up to 78%). The different levels of tension applied to the wire returned slight differences in terms of stress values, but the comparison with the traditional approach gave similar outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: More homogeneous stress distribution is found with the push-pull plate in all three testing set-ups, showing lower unloaded areas (and thus lower stress-shielding) compared to the traditional plate; the screws implemented returned to be all loaded in at least one of the set-ups, thus showing that they all contribute to plate stability.

Posterior pelvic ring involvement detected with CT taken within a week of admission in acute fragility fractures of the pelvis (FFP) does not predict failure of conservative treatment: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Acute low energy pubic rami fractures in the elderly receive primarily conservative treatment. There is debate to what extent posterior ring involvement, which is detected superiorly by CT compared to X-ray, has an impact on outcome and may require modified treatment. We want to demonstrate if posterior ring involvement has an influence on different types of outcome in primarily conservatively treated acute FFP, questioning the usefulness of early CT. Additionally we analysed the early fracture pattern in cases where conservative treatment failed with need for secondary surgery. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of 155 consecutive patients, recruited between 2009 and 2016, aged over 65 years diagnosed with an acute LE-PFr on X-ray at the emergency department of a single, level-one trauma centre and receiving an early CT. A set of outcome parameters was compared between patients with an isolated pubic rami fracture (CTia) and patients who had a combined posterior pelvic ring fracture (CTcp). RESULTS: There were 155 patients of whom 85.2% were female with a mean age of 83 years. 76.8% of patients living at home returned home and 15.5% moved to a nursing home. Mortality rate during hospitalisation was 6.4% and 14.8% at one year post-trauma. Secondary fracture displacement occurred in 22.6%. Secondary surgery was performed in 6 cases (3.9%). Median hospitalisation length of stay was 21 days (range 0 to 112 days). There was no significant association between the subgroups and change in residential status (p = 0.65), complications during hospitalisation (p = 0.75), mortality rate during admission (p = 0.75) and at 1 year (p = 0.88), readmission within 30 days (p = 0.46) and need for secondary surgery (p = 0.2). There was a significant increased median length of stay (p = 0.011) and rate of secondary displacement (p = 0.015) in subgroup CTcp. Secondary displacement had no impact on in-hospital complications (p = 0.7) nor mortality rate during admission (p = 0.79) or at 1 year (0.77). Early CT in patients who underwent secondary surgery showed stable B2.1 lesions in 4 of 6 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that early CT in patients with conservatively treated acute LE-PFr in order to detect posterior lesions, has limited value in predicting failure of conservative treatment.

Hemiarthroplasty in complex proximal humeral fractures: preserving unity of the tuberosities with the cap technique improves clinical outcome.

Objectives: The outcome of primary hemiarthroplasty for complex proximal humeral fractures is highly dependent on the position and survival of the tuberosities. Preserving the cuff-tuberosity complex as a unit (named cap technique) is thought to improve the reduction and stability of the tuberosities. We present the first report of the cap technique and compare it with the common intertubercular split technique. Design: Comparative retrospective study on consecutive patients. Setting: Urban level 1 trauma center. Patients/Participants: Included were all patients treated between May 2010 and August 2019 with the Affinis Fracture (Mathys, Switzerland) hemiarthroplasty for complex shoulder fractures. The cap technique was used from February 2015 onward. Minimum follow-up of 11 months. Dementia was an exclusion criterium. Outcome Measure: Clinical evaluation by (normalized) Constant-Murley score, DASH score, and EQ5D-VAS score. Radiological outcomes according to the criteria of Boileau. Results: The cap-technique group consisted of 26 patients. One patient had revision surgery; 23 patients could be evaluated at a mean follow-up of 28 months. The control group consisted of 26 patients. Three patients had revision surgery. Ten patients could be scored at a mean follow-up of 101 months. A statistically significant difference in Constant-Murley score (P = .0121) could be observed between case and control group. There were no significant differences between radiological scores and between revision rates. Conclusion: The cap technique significantly improves clinical outcome in comparison with the intertubercular split technique. However, there was no significant difference in radiographic appearance of the tuberosities.

Advanced CT visualization improves the accuracy of orthopaedic trauma surgeons and residents in classifying proximal humeral fractures: a feasibility study.

PURPOSE: Osteosynthesis of proximal humeral fractures remains challenging with high reported failure rates. Understanding the fracture type is mandatory in surgical treatment to achieve an optimal anatomical reduction. Therefore, a better classification ability resulting in improved understanding of the fracture pattern is important for preoperative planning. The purpose was to investigate the feasibility and added value of advanced visualization of segmented 3D computed tomography (CT) images in fracture classification. METHODS: Seventeen patients treated with either plate-screw-osteosynthesis or shoulder hemi-prosthesis between 2015 and 2019 were included. All preoperative CT scans were segmented to indicate every fracture fragment in a different color. Classification ability was tested in 21 orthopaedic residents and 12 shoulder surgeons. Both groups were asked to classify fractures using three different modalities (standard CT scan, 3D reconstruction model, and 3D segmented model) into three different classification systems (Neer, AO/OTA and LEGO). RESULTS: All participants were able to classify the fractures more accurately into all three classification systems after evaluating the segmented three-dimensional (3D) models compared to both 2D slice-wise evaluation and 3D reconstruction model. This finding was significant (p < 0.005) with an average success rate of 94%. The participants experienced significantly more difficulties classifying fractures according to the LEGO system than the other two classifications. CONCLUSION: Segmentation of CT scans added value to the proximal humeral fracture classification, since orthopaedic surgeons were able to classify fractures significantly better into the AO/OTA, Neer, and LEGO classification systems compared to both standard 2D slice-wise evaluation and 3D reconstruction model.

International trauma care: initial European approaches during the COVID 19 pandemic.

The world was not prepared for the global of pandemic in early 2020 with the arrival of COVID 19. Europe has some of the most developed health care systems in the world and this article explains the initial response to the pandemic from an orthopaedic and trauma viewpoint from 8 nations. Italy reported the first cluster in February, which then rapidly spread around the continent, requiring a rapid reorganization of services. The reports highlight how elective surgery was universally stopped, surgical services were reconfigured, and new practices, such as the widespread use of telemedicine, may well become permanent. It also emphasizes how the pandemic has re-educated us on the importance of a consistent and central approach to deal with a global health crisis, and how medical services need to remain flexible and responsive to new ways of working.

Current Insights in the Application of Bone Grafts for Local Antibiotic Delivery in Bone Reconstruction Surgery.

Introduction: Bone implant related infection is still one of the biggest challenges in bone and joint surgery. Antibiotic impregnated bone grafts seem to be promising in both treatment and prevention of these infections. However, great variance in methodology predominates this field of research. This paper gives an overview of the published literature. Methods: The PRISMA-flowchart was used as protocol for article selection. Medline was searched and articles were selected in accordance with predetermined exclusion criteria. Results: Forty-eight articles were included in the synthesis. Topics including bone graft type, manipulations of the graft, elution profile, bacterial inhibition, osteotoxicity, incorporation, special impregnation methods, clinical use and storage were investigated. Therapeutically, high initial levels seem appropriate for biofilm eradication. A single stage procedure in the treatment of bone implant related infection seems feasible. Prophylactically, the literature indicates a reduction of postoperative infections when using antibiotic impregnated bone grafts. Conclusion: Bone grafts are a suitable carrier for local antibiotic application both therapeutically and prophylactically.

Predictors for secondary hip osteoarthritis after acetabular fractures-a pelvic registry study.

PURPOSE: Secondary hip osteoarthritis after acetabular fractures requiring total arthroplasty (THA) poses a huge burden on the affected patients as well as health systems. The present study aimed to assess risk factors associated with THA after acetabular fractures based on the data from the German Pelvic Trauma Registry. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 678 acetabular fracture cases without concomitant pelvic ring fracture treated and followed-up between January 2004 and May 2015 at six large trauma centres. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed assessing the association of patient/treatment characteristics with THA likelihood at an average follow-up of 2.7 years (range 0.4-9.5 years; SD 1.8 years). RESULTS: Overall, the rate of secondary osteoarthritis was 19.8%. The likelihood for THA increased with 6% per age year (95% CI 1.04-1.09) and with 21% per millimetre subluxation (95%CI 1.09-1.33). This likelihood was 3.54 (95% CI 1.77-7.08) and 3.68 times (95% CI 1.87-7.47) higher if the posterior wall was involved and a contusion and/or impaction of the femoral head was present. Other covariates (sex, ISS, trauma type, AO/OTA and Letournel classification, initial displacement, surgical approach, intra-articular fragments, contusion and/or impaction to the acetabulum, reduction, intervention type, duration of surgery, soft tissue damage, residual fracture step/gap, and prevention of heterotopic ossifications) were not significantly associated (p > 0.15). CONCLUSIONS: Twenty percent of patients with acetabular fractures require THA. The associated risk factors are patient age, femoral head lesion/subluxation, and involvement of the posterior wall. The identified risk factors support previous research and should be minded when treatment of acetabular fractures is planned.

Osteitis Pubis After TURP: A Rare Complication Difficult to Recognize.

TURP is a widespread urologic procedure that is performed by many urologists. This report describes a rare complication that causes serious morbidity because it is not recognized in time. This is also the first report of a prostatosymphyseal fistula treated without major surgery. Eventually diagnosis is made by a MRI 5 months after surgery. Decompressive surgery was necessary to treat pubic osteïtis with invalidating pain. Culture results revealed Escherichia coli but eventually the diagnosis was made by fistulography. Treatment consisted of bladder drainage and long-term antibiotic treatment and these could eventually heal the fistula.

The Oxford unicompartmental knee prosthesis: an independent 10-year survival analysis.

One hundred forty-nine medial prostheses were implanted in 140 patients between 1988 and 1996. After a mean of 67 months 28 patients had died, without the need for revision. Seventeen prostheses were lost to follow-up. Revision surgery using a total knee prosthesis was performed in 16 cases. In four others, a lateral prosthesis was implanted subsequently to a medial one. One of these four was revised to a total knee prosthesis 6 years later. In another four cases, late complications of the meniscal bearing were treated with replacement of this bearing. The surviving prostheses were seen back after a mean of 126 months. The cumulative survival rate at 10 years was 82% for the whole population and 84% when knees with a previous high tibial osteotomy were excluded. Since these results compare poorly to the survival of total knee arthroplasty, this prosthesis is not the first-choice implant. Because it preserves a maximum of bone stock and is revised to a total prosthesis almost without difficulty, it is the first-choice implant for medial unicompartmental osteoarthritis in patients younger than 65. Further research is mandatory to confirm that this prosthesis very rarely needs revision in patients older than 75. It should not be used in osteotomized knees.