Outcomes After Use of the Induced Membrane Technique for Fractures of the Upper Extremity.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to review a series of cases in which the induced membrane technique was used for fractures with segmental bone loss in the upper extremity. We aimed to examine patient indications, outcomes based on union rates, and complications associated with this technique. METHODS: An institutional review board-approved database at our institution was used to identify patients based on either diagnosis or procedure codes commonly used during the induced membrane treatment. The database was queried between 2003 and 2020 and included patients with segmental bone defects from acute trauma, nonunions, and infections. Demographic data, mechanism of injury, size and extent of the bone defect, treatment indication and methods along with intraoperative and postoperative complications were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: We identified 23 patients who met our inclusion criteria, including 15 patients with traumatic segmental bone loss and 8 patients with chronic nonunions and/or infections. Fourteen cases involving the bones of the forearm, 8 cases involving the metacarpals and 3 cases involving the phalanges were identified. Radiographic union was ultimately demonstrated in 21/23 patients (91.3%) with a median time to union of 20 weeks (range 13-29 weeks). A total of 10 patients required unplanned reoperation, with 4 nonunions requiring repeat plating and grafting procedures, and 1 patient ultimately underwent amputation for persistent infection. CONCLUSIONS: The induced membrane technique represents an effective treatment option for acute traumatic bone loss as well as chronic fracture nonunions. The technique has potential challenges, as 10 patients (43.5%) in our series required unplanned reoperations with 4 patients (17.4%) requiring a repeat intervention for persistent nonunion. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Acute Traumatic Myelopathy: Rethinking Central Cord Syndrome.

Central cord syndrome (CCS) is an incomplete spinal cord injury that consists of both sensory and motor changes of the upper and lower extremities. CCS most commonly occurs after trauma to the cervical spine leading to acute neurological changes. Despite being the most common incomplete spinal cord injury with the best outcomes, optimal treatment remains controversial. Although clinical practice has shifted from primarily conservative management to early surgical intervention, many questions remain unanswered and treatment remains varied. One of the most limiting aspects of CCS remains the diagnosis itself. CCS, by definition, is a syndrome with a very specific pattern of neurological deficits. In practice and in the literature, CCS has been used to describe a spectrum of neurological conditions and traumatic morphologies. Establishing clarity will allow for more accurate decision making by clinicians involved in the care of these injuries. The authors emphasize that a more precise term for the clinical condition in question is acute traumatic myelopathy: an acute cervical cord injury in the setting of a stable spine with either congenital and/or degenerative stenosis.