Orthopedic treatment for open fracture of lower extremities and soft tissue defects in young children and rapid rehabilitation after operation.

Objective: This study aims to explore the clinical features of open fracture of lower extremities with soft tissue injury in young children, and its surgical and postoperative rehabilitation methods.Methods: A total of 32 children with open fracture of lower extremities and soft tissue injury treated in our department from January 2010 to December 2016 were included into this study. An individualized treatment plan was established according to the characteristics of each patient's condition, and rapid rehabilitation procedures were carried out after the operation to promote the healing of the wound, and shape and function recovery.Results: In the present study, four children developed superficial infection after the operation, and healed after proper management. Furthermore, two children were found to have osteomyelitis during follow-up after discharge, and healed after they returned to the hospital for debridement. All patients were followed up until fracture healing, and the follow-up duration ranged within 6-15 months, with an average duration of 8.5 months. All patients achieved bony union, and none of the patients had bone exposure. In the curative effect assessment, 24 children were classified as excellent, six children were classified as good, one child was classified as moderate, and one child was classified as poor. The excellent and good rate was 93.75%.Conclusions: Open fracture of the lower extremities commonly occur in the middle and lower segment of the tibia and fibula in children, and is usually combined with soft tissue injury. The correct treatment of fractures, and skin and soft tissue injuries, as well as the rapid rehabilitation of children, are the keys to achieving a good clinical effect.

Luxación erecta expuesta de hombro en un niño: reporte de un caso / Erect shoulder dislocation in a child: case report / Erecto luxação do ombro em uma criança: relato de caso

La luxación erecta expuesta de hombro es una asociación lesional de muy baja frecuencia en la edad pediátrica. Son más frecuentes las lesiones fisarias y epifisarias que las luxaciones y lesiones ligamentarias. Esto es debido a la presencia de un tejido óseo con gran poder de deformidad elástica y un periostio grueso. Presentamos un caso clínico de un paciente de 11 años de edad que sufrió una luxación erecta expuesta de hombro derecho, producto de una caída de 1 metro y medio de altura. El tratamiento consistió en una limpieza quirúrgica de urgencia, reducción gleno humeral y antibioticoterapia empírica, penicinila 400.000 UI/kg/día fraccionado cada 6 hs y gentamicina 3mg/Kg/día fraccionada cada 8 h por 10 días, inmovilización por 3 semanas con cabestrillo seguido de rehabilitación, y un follow up de 2 años al final del cual el paciente no presento secuelas funcionales en la articulación glenohumeral derecha.

The exposed erect dislocation of the shoulder is a very low frequency lesion association in the pediatric age. The physical and epiphyseal lesions are more frequent than the dislocations and ligament injuries. This is due to the presence of a bone tissue with great elastic deformity power and a thick periosteum. We present a clinical case of an 11-year-old patient who suffered an exposed erect dislocation of the right shoulder, due to a fall of 1 meter and a half high. The treatment consisted of emergency surgical cleaning, humeral gleno reduction and empirical antibiotic therapy, penicinila 400,000 IU/kg/day divided every 6 hours and gentamicin 3mg/Kg/day divided every 8 hours for 10 days, immobilization for 3 weeks with a sling followed by rehabilitation, and a follow-up of 2 years at the end of which the patient did not present functional sequelae in the right glenohumeral joint.

A luxação ereta exposta do ombro é uma associação de lesão de freqüência muito baixa na idade pediátrica. As lesões físicas e epifisárias são mais freqüentes que as luxações e lesões ligamentares. Isto é devido à presença de um tecido ósseo com grande poder de deformidade elástica e um periósteo espesso. Apresentamos um caso clínico de um paciente de 11 anos de idade que sofreu uma luxação ereta exposta do ombro direito, devido a uma queda de 1 metro e meio de altura. O tratamento consistiu em limpeza cirúrgica de emergência, redução de gleno umeral e antibioticoterapia empírica, penicinila 400.000 UI / kg / dia dividida a cada 6 horas e gentamicina 3mg / Kg / dia dividida a cada 8 horas por 10 dias, imobilização por 3 semanas com tipóia seguida de reabilitação e seguimento de 2 anos no final dos quais o paciente não apresentava sequela funcional na articulação glenoumeral direita.

Patient coping and expectations predict recovery after major orthopaedic trauma.

BACKGROUND: Persistent post-surgical pain and associated disability are common after a traumatic fracture repair. Preliminary evidence suggests that patients' beliefs and perceptions may influence their prognosis. METHODS: We used data from the Fluid Lavage of Open Wounds trial to determine, in 1560 open fracture patients undergoing surgical repair, the association between Somatic PreOccupation and Coping (captured by the SPOC questionnaire) and recovery at 1 yr. RESULTS: Of the 1218 open fracture patients with complete data available for analysis, 813 (66.7%) reported moderate to extreme pain at 1 yr. The addition of SPOC scores to an adjusted regression model to predict persistent pain improved the concordance statistic from 0.66 to 0.74, and found the greatest risk was associated with high (≥74) SPOC scores [odds ratio: 5.63; 99% confidence interval (CI): 3.59-8.84; absolute risk increase 40.6%; 99% CI: 30.8%, 48.6%]. Thirty-eight per cent (484 of 1277) reported moderate to extreme pain interference at 1 yr. The addition of SPOC scores to an adjusted regression model to predict pain interference improved the concordance statistic from 0.66 to 0.75, and the greatest risk was associated with high SPOC scores (odds ratio: 6.06; 99% CI: 3.97-9.25; absolute risk increase: 18.3%; 95% CI: 11.7%, 26.7%). In our adjusted multivariable regression models, SPOC scores at 6 weeks post-surgery accounted for 10% of the variation in short form-12 physical component summary scores and 14% of short form-12 mental component summary scores at 1 yr. CONCLUSIONS: Amongst patients undergoing surgical repair of open extremity fractures, high SPOC questionnaire scores at 6 weeks post-surgery were predictive of persistent pain, reduced quality of life, and pain interference at 1 yr. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT00788398.

Combat-related acetabular fractures: Outcomes of open versus closed injuries.

INTRODUCTION: Since the onset of the Global War on Terror close to 50,000 United States service members have been injured in combat, many of these injuries would have previously been fatal. Among these injuries, open acetabular fractures are at an increased number due to the high percentage of penetrating injuries such as high velocity gunshot wounds and blast injuries. These injuries lead to a greater degree of contamination, and more severe associated injuries. There is a significantly smaller proportion of the classic blunt trauma mechanism typically seen in civilian trauma. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of the Department of Defense Trauma Registry into which all US combat-injured patients are enrolled, as well as reviewed local patient medical records, and radiologic studies from March 2003 to April 2012. Eighty seven (87) acetabular fractures were identified with 32 classified as open fractures. Information regarding mechanism of injury, fracture pattern, transfusion requirements, Injury Severity Score (ISS), and presence of lower extremity amputations was analyzed. RESULTS: The mechanism of injury was an explosive device in 59% (n=19) of patients with an open acetabular fracture; the remaining 40% (n=13) were secondary to ballistic injury. In contrast, in the closed acetabular fracture cohort 38% (21/55) of fractures were due to explosive devices, and all remaining (n=34) were secondary to blunt trauma such as falls, motor vehicle collisions, or aircraft crashes. Patients with open acetabular fractures required a median of 17units of PRBC within the first 24h after injury. The mean ISS was 32 in the open group compared with 22 in the closed group (p=0.003). In the open fracture group nine patients (28%) sustained bilateral lower extremity amputations, and 10 patients (31%) ultimately underwent a hip disarticulation or hemi-pelvectomy as their final amputation level. DISCUSSION: Open acetabular fractures represent a significant challenge in the management of combat-related injuries. High ISS and massive transfusion requirements are common in these injuries. This is one of the largest series reported of open acetabular fractures. Open acetabular fractures require immediate damage control surgery and resuscitation as well as prolonged rehabilitation due to their severity. The dramatic number of open acetabular fractures (37%) in this review highlights the challenge in treatment of combat related acetabular fractures.

Bone union with an in situ spacer after the first stage of the induced membrane technique.

INTRODUCTION: We report a case of an infected bone defect in the tibia in which the treatment was stopped in the first stage of the induced membrane technique. The polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) spacer, retained in the bone defect, was encapsulated by the bone regeneration. CASE REPORT: A 37-year-old male patient with a 7-cm infected bone defect in the tibia was submitted to the first stage of the induced membrane technique with debridement and implantation of a PMMA spacer with antibiotics. The patient refused the second stage of the procedure and achieved bone union with the spacer in situ. There was no recurrence of infection at the 6-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: his is the first report of a case in which bone union was achieved with the spacer in situ after the first stage of the induced membrane technique. Keeping the spacer in the bone defect could be an option in some exceptional situations.

Knee megaprosthesis: a salvage solution for severe open and complex distal femoral fracture associated with an ipsilateral brachial plexus injury (a case report with literature review).

Complex distal femoral fractures in the young patient often occur as a result of high velocity trauma. Timely recognition and treatment is everything in such a situation, and it needs a robust staged management pathway to optimize the chance of limb preservation. We report a case of a motorcyclist admitted to the department of orthopedics at Chambery hospital, France, with a complex comminuted and open distal femoral fracture of the left leg, associated with a brachial plexus injury to the ipsilateral upper limb. On arrival to the emergency department, damage control stabilization and surgery was commenced, debridement of contaminated non-viable tissue, abundant antiseptic lavage and application of external fixation coupled with the use of antibiotic spacer. Following normalization of inflammatory markers and ensuring no clinical signs of infection, subsequent management consisted of joint reconstruction to achieve a functional knee. The external fixator and femoral spacer was removed and a modular megaprosthesis was implanted with a lateral gastrocnemius flap to cover the exposed knee joint and reinforce the extensor apparatus. Nerve graft to the left brachial plexus injury was performed at University Hospital of Grenoble. Our patient entered an intensive rehabilitation program and at 1 year follow-up achieved good knee function and sensation to the left upper limb.

Assessing functional mobility after lower limb reconstruction: a psychometric evaluation of a sensor-based mobility score.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a robust, objective mobility assessment tool, Hamlyn Mobility Score (HMS), using a wearable motion sensor. BACKGROUND: Advances in reconstructive techniques allow more limbs to be salvaged. However, evidence demonstrating superior long-term outcomes compared with amputation is unavailable. Lack of access to quality regular functional mobility status may be preventing patients and health care staff from optimizing rehabilitation programs and evaluating the reconstructive services. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, 20 patients undergoing lower limb reconstruction and 10 age-matched controls were recruited. All subjects completed the HMS activity protocol twice under different instructors at 3 months postoperatively, and again at 6 months, while wearing an ear-worn accelerometer. Demographic and clinical data were also collected including a short-form health survey (SF-36). HMS parameters included standard test metrics and additional kinematic features extracted from accelerometer data. A psychometric evaluation was conducted to ascertain reliability and validity. RESULTS: The HMS demonstrated excellent reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.90, P < 0.001) and internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.897). Concurrent validity was demonstrated by correlation between HMS and SF-36 scores (Spearman ρ = 0.666, P = 0.005). Significant HMS differences between healthy subjects and patients, stratified according to fracture severity, were shown (Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric 1-way analysis of variance, χ = 21.5, P < 0.001). The HMS was 50% more responsive to change than SF-36 (effect size: 1.49 vs 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: The HMS shows satisfactory reliability and validity and may provide a platform to support adaptable, personalized rehabilitation and enhanced service evaluation to facilitate optimal patient outcomes.

Clinical evaluation of patients with osteomyelitis after open fractures treated at the Hospital de Urgências de Goiânia, Goiás / Avaliação clínica de pacientes com osteomielite crônica após fraturas expostas tratados no Hospital de Urgências de Goiânia, Goiás

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinically patients with chronic osteomyelitis after open fractures, treated in the Hospital of urgencies in Goiania. METHODS: A cross-sectional study, with data collection through questionnaire, from a review of medical records. We collected data on the type of trauma and the clinical characteristics of the patient. The hour of attendance and the injuries on the patients were collected, and then classified according to Gustilo and Anderson (1976). Samples of the lesion during the surgical procedure were collected for culture of pathogenic microorganisms. The analyzes were performed using STATA/SE version 8.0. Descriptive analysis was performed (absolute and relative frequencies) and to verify existence of association between variables was performed using thur-square or Fisher's Exact Test. This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Hospital and Emergency in Goiania. RESULTS: There was predominance of male adult, presenting open fractures with increased involvement of the leg bones or in two or more bones (polytrauma). The majority of patients presented with a lesion type III (high-energy trauma). There was loss of excessive time since the time of the accident until the initial surgical care. We detected the presence of gram-positive cultures of material obtained after the diagnosis of osteomyelitis. CONCLUSIONS: The control of factors such as antibiotics, exposure time, bacterial resistance to the antimicrobial used, extensive tissue damage and location of the fracture are extremely important to the predictive effect of infection in open fractures.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar clinicamente pacientes com osteomielite crônica após fraturas expostas, tratados no Hospital de Urgências de Goiânia. MÉTODOS: Estudo do tipo transversal, com coleta de dados mediante questionário, a partir de uma revisão de prontuário. Coletaram-se dados relativos ao tipo de trauma e às características clínicas do paciente. Foram descritas a hora do atendimento e as lesões encontradas no paciente e depois classificadas de acordo com Gustilo e Anderson (1976). Amostras da lesão durante o ato cirúrgico foram coletadas para cultura de microorganismos patogênicos. As análises foram feitas no programa STATA/SE versão 8.0. Fez-se análise descritiva (frequências absolutas e relativas) e para verificar existência de associação entre variáveis foi usado o teste qui-quadrado de Pearson ou exato de Fisher. Este estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa do Hospital de Urgências de Goiânia. RESULTADOS: Houve predomínio de adultos do sexo masculino, que apresentaram fraturas expostas com maior acometimento de ossos da perna ou em dois ou mais ossos (politrauma). A maioria dos pacientes apresentou lesão tipo III (trauma de alta energia). Observou-se perda de tempo excessiva desde o momento do acidente até o atendimento cirúrgico inicial. Detectou-se presença de germes gram positivos nas culturas de material obtido após diagnóstico de osteomielite. CONCLUSÕES: O controle de fatores como antibioticoterapia, tempo de exposição, resistência bacteriana ao antimicrobiano usado, grande dano tecidual e localização da fratura é importantíssimo para anular o efeito preditivo de infecção em fraturas expostas.

Eighteen-year follow-up after rotationplasty for a grade IIIC open fracture of the distal femur.

We report the 18-year follow-up of a patient who underwent rotationplasty for severe bone loss and infection after an grade IIIC open fracture of the distal femur. The patient is now 49 years old and fully satisfied with his life. During the follow-up period, he has never had significant physical or psychological problems directly concerning the rotationplasty. The analysis of quality of life using the SF36 questionnaire revealed even higher scores than the normal healthy population in seven out of eight sub-categories. Clinical examination revealed bland soft tissues without hyperkeratosis or other signs of maladaptation. Articular and cutaneous proprioception was intact all over the left leg. The active extension/flexion of the prosthetic knee was 0°-0°-100° and 10°-0°-70° of the ankle joint. Manual testing of motor strength revealed grade five of five for dorsiflexion and plantar flexion of the ankle. Gait patterns including climbing slopes and stairs were close to normal. Examination in sports physiology showed lower maximum power of hip and knee muscles compared to the healthy side, but better muscular endurance. These findings emphasize that rotationplasty can be a good alternative to arthrodesis or amputation in trauma patients providing high satisfaction and activity levels in the long-term follow-up.

Use of free ipsilateral gastrocnemius flap for coverage of distal third tibial defect after Gustilo type III open fracture.

The traditional pedicled gastrocnemius muscle flap has often been used to repair soft-tissue defects caused by trauma. However, it is difficult to cover skin defects in the distal third of the lower extremity because of its range of excursion. We have attempted use of a free ipsilateral gastrocnemius muscle flap for coverage of skin defects in the distal third of the lower extremity. In three patients with skin defects due to Gustilo type III open fractures, a free gastrocnemius flap was used for coverage of the same leg. The follow-up period ranged from 12 months to 2 years. Microsurgical anastomosis of the vascular pedicle to the tibialis posterior vessels was performed by end-to-side anastomosis proximally to the ankle. The postoperative course was uneventful and showed stable coverage of the wound. All free flaps were successfully transferred, and the defects healed primarily. Bone fusion in all of the patients in this series progressed satisfactorily. This free muscle flap is useful for reconstruction of defects in the distal third of the lower extremity in Gustilo III open fractures.

Gustilo IIIC fractures in the lower limb: our 15-year experience.

Controversy continues to surround the management of patients with an open fracture of the lower limb and an associated vascular injury (Gustilo type IIIC). This study reports our 15-year experience with these fractures and their outcome in 18 patients (15 male and three female). Their mean age was 30.7 years (8 to 54) and mean Mangled Extremity Severity Score (MESS) at presentation was 6.9 (3 to 10). A total of 15 lower limbs were salvaged and three underwent amputation (two immediate and one delayed). Four patients underwent stabilisation of the fracture by external fixation and 12 with an internal device. A total of 11 patients had damage to multiple arteries and eight had a vein graft. Wound cover was achieved with a pedicled flap in three and a free flap in six. Seven patients developed a wound infection and four developed nonunion requiring further surgery. At a mean follow-up of five years (4.1 to 6.6) the mean visual analogue scale for pain was 64 (10 to 90). Depression and anxiety were common. Activities were limited mainly because of pain, and the MESS was a valid predictor of the functional outcome. Distal tibial fractures had an increased rate of nonunion when associated with posterior tibial artery damage, and seven patients (39%) were not able to return to their previous occupation.

Covering the below-knee amputation stump with the pedicled dorsalis pedis flap from the ipsilateral foot: a case report.

It is important to preserve the length, appropriate durable skin, and sensation of the stump when performing below-knee amputation to achieve functional ambulation with a prosthesis. There are many reports of reconstruction procedures using microvascular surgery to preserve the optimum length of the amputation stump for prosthesis; however, free tissue reconstruction is necessary to accompany with the donor site morbidity. In this report, we describe our experience with a below-knee amputation and stump covering using the pedicled dorsalis pedis flap from the no longer usable foot in the case of a severe osteomyelitis of a lower extremity after highly contaminated Gustilo type IIIB fracture. We achieved a well-healed amputated stump with enough length for a prosthesis and for protective sensation. The pedicled dorsalis pedis flap is easily elevated without microvascular anastomosis and is one useful option for the reconstruction of the below-knee amputated stump in the specific case.

Factors affecting the fracture healing in treatment of tibial shaft fractures with circular external fixator.

This study aims to analyse the contribution of various risk factors for the delay of tibial shaft fractures treated by circular external fixator and predicting the high risk fractures for delayed union. 32 extraarticular tibial shaft fractures of 31 adult patients treated with circular external fixator were included. The patients were analysed according to age, energy of trauma, having an open fracture or not, AO classification, obliquity, use of supplementary fixation techniques in surgery, distance of fracture line to neighbouring rings, having a pin-track infection or not, reduction score, and smoking. There were eight delayed unions and two non-unions in our study. Consolidation time was significantly shorter (p=0.01) between the supplementary fixation group and the others. There was a significant difference in fracture healing time between pin-track-infected patients and the patients who did not have pin-track infection (p=0.037). In conclusion, our results indicate that non-union infection and not using supplementary fixation techniques are the major factors that delay the healing time. Supplementary fixation enhances the reduction rate and a low reduction score is related with the occurrence of a pin-track infection.

Fracturas expuestas: Importancia del tratamiento inicial definitivo / Exposed fractures: Importance of the initial definitive treatment

Fracturas expuestas y el politraumatismo en nuestro país y en el mundo de hoy, es una asociación mayoritariamente provocada por los accidentes de tránsito, con un alto índice de pérdidas humanas, económicas y graves secuelas en la población menor de 40 años. La oportuna atención primaria en lugar del accidente es incuestionable para salvar vidas y el manejo de la fractura es de alto valor pronóstico. Se analiza el tratamiento inicial definitivo y se consideraran los distintos parámetros clínicos vinculados al mismo. Se comparan los resultados obtenidos con otras alternativas terapéuticas ya sea en función del tiempo realizado como de los métodos de inmovilización empleados. En el estudio de 118 pacientes que ingresaron y fueron tratados en el Hospital de Urgencia entre enero de 1997 y diciembre del 2001, tomando como criterio de inclusión aquellos que requirieron internación, se seleccionaron los con fracturas expuestas grado I, II, y III A, de la clasificación de Gustilo, y que hubiesen comprometido huesos largos como fémur, humero y tibia y peroné. Los tratamientos realizados se los dividió en tres grupos, A, B, y C, según la inmovilización fuese definitiva e inicial, o diferida antes de los 30 días o más allá de ese término y dividiendo dos grupos etarios hasta 40 años de edad ó más de 41 años. La mayoría fueron hombres y el rango entre los 15 y 80 años, con un promedio que fue de 31,3 y una media de 25. El accidente de tránsito fue la etiología másfrecuente, y en los politraumatizados la asociación que más se dio fue fracturaexpuesta con traumatismo craneoencefálico. Del total de los pacientes, 25 requirieron internación en terapia intensiva por el compromiso sistémico y el 64% debieron ser reinternados. Las complicaciones más frecuentes estuvieron relacionadas a infecciones o a trastornos de consolidación y 6 pacientesfallecieron en el transcurso del tratamiento.

Primary shortening with secondary limb lengthening for Gustilo IIIB open tibial fractures: a report of six cases.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of type IIIB open tibial fractures remains a challenge for orthopedic surgeons, particularly with respect to the soft-tissue and subsequent bony reconstruction. The primary shortening and limb lengthening (PSLL) simplifies wound closure for severe open injuries without requiring microsurgical procedures as a main advantage. This method is thought to be also useful for type IIIB patients with polytrauma and other life-threatening injuries because it helps to control both wound sepsis and their general state. In the present study, we attempted to assess the problems, long-term functional outcome, and quality of life (QOL) of patients who were treated by PSLL for Gustilo type IIIB open tibial fractures in our facility. METHODS: Six patients with type IIIB open tibial fractures treated with PSLL were retrospectively reviewed. The mean shortening length was 7.4 cm (range, 4.5-10.3 cm). The mean percent shortening of the entire bone was 18.7% (range, 12.3-29.7%). Limb lengthening started at a mean interval of 10.3 months (range, 3-18 months) after the original injury. The mean healing index was 56.5 days/cm (range, 31.3-86.7 days/cm). The complications, functional outcome, and quality of life were evaluated for all cases. RESULTS: One superficial infection at the initial corticotomy, one deep infection around the shortening site, one refracture at the healed docking site, several wire breaks in external frames in two cases, and two severe equinovarus deformities occurred as complications of these procedures. Regarding functional outcome, three patients showed good outcome, two showed fair outcome, and one showed poor outcome. The percent shortening of the entire bone in the two fair cases were more than 25%. The median scale of physical health summary, mental health summary, and total general health summary in Short Form-36 (QOL) were lower than the standard scale in age-matched individuals. CONCLUSION: This PSLL treatment was thought to be a useful option for severe open fracture of the tibia, which had bony defect in more than 4.5 cm in length after serial debridement, although several complications occurred in this regimen. However, it is difficult to achieve an excellent function and QOL using these techniques. In addition, it is difficult for patients who underwent limb lengthening after shortening more than 25% of the total length of bone to gain good function.

Fractura expuesta de pierna con pérdida de la cobertura cutánea e infección por acinetobactrer calcoacéticus / Seriously exposed fracture with skin loss around the leg and acinetobacter calcoaceticus infection

Se presenta el caso de un paciente de 14 años de edad con traumatismo grave en miembro inferior izquierdo, pérdida de cobertura cutánea en forma circunferencial y fractura expuesta de tibia y peroné. Los cultivos-biopsia de hueso, músculo y celular subcutáneo demostraron infección por Acinetobacter Calcoaceticus. Se clasifica al germen. Se describe el tratamiento local y sistémico. El antibiograma demostró in vitro resistencia para todos los antibióticos probados, excepto para el Imipenem; a pesar de ésto el paciente presentó respuesta clínica favorable a la Ceftazidima. Los tópicos utilizados fueron: Iodopovidona e Hipoclorito de sodio diluido; no se observó en los controles clínicos ni en los monitoreos toxicidad cardíaca, renal ni hepática con los antisépticos utilizados, presentando un buen lecho de granulación, favorable para injertar. Se obtuvo la curación completa de las lesiones, con remisión de la infección y consolidación de las fracturas, sin signos de osteomielitis en un seguimiento de 18 meses

Fracturas expuestas de tibia tratadas con UTN. Reporte preliminar / Open fractures of the tibia treated by solid rod (UTN) without reaming. Preliminary report

El objetivo del presente estudio es mostrar un reporte preliminar del uso del clavo sólido sin fresado (UTN) en el tratamiento de las fracturas expuestas de tibia, lo cual disminuye el riesgo de complicaciones como seudoartrosis e infección ósea preservando la circulación endóstica al no realizar fresado del canal medular, lográndose en nuestra casuística la consolidación ósea en el 100 por ciento y sin presentarse casos de infección

Microvascular free flaps in the treatment of defects of the lower legs.

Thirty-four microvascular free flaps were used to treat defects in the lower extremities after injuries. Twenty patients (74%) had severe open fractures (Gustilo type III B & C). Latissimus dorsi (n = 16) and iliac osteocutaneous (n = 7) flaps were most commonly used for coverage, and the overall failure rate was 9% (3/34). At follow up 29 of the patients (94%) had a reduced range of movement of the ankle, nine (29%) had some swelling and oedema, and 13 (42%) had occasional pain in the leg. Sixteen (52%) of the patients were limping, but 26 (84%) could walk one kilometre or more with no problems. No legs were amputated. The unemployment rate increased from 1/34 (3%) to 6/31 (19%) at follow up. Twenty-seven (87%) of our patients were satisfied with the results, despite the considerable and persistent limitation of function, and the increase in the unemployment rate.

¿Qué Hacer ante una Factura Expuesta? / Open Fractures

El pronóstico de una fractura expuesta depende de varios factores y cada uno de ellos tiene una valiosa importanica. Es así como la energía causante del trauma, lugar geográfico del accidente, manejo primario de la fractura como colocación de un apósito estéril, movilización y tiempo transcurrido desde el momento del accidente haste ser llevada a sala de cirugía para el lavado, desbridamiento y estabilización, definen el futuro dentro de la evolución de una fractura expuesta y su rehabilitación