Comparative Outcomes of Early, Elective, and Delayed Treatment for Lateral Condyle Fracture of the Humerus in Children: A Retrospective Study from a Single Center in Turkey (2013-2021).

BACKGROUND Lateral condyle fracture of the humerus in children should be diagnosed and treated quickly to avoid the complications of malunion and varus deformity of the elbow. Worldwide, pediatric orthopedic departments experienced delays in patient diagnosis and treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. This retrospective study from a single center in Turkey aimed to compare outcomes from early treatment, elective treatment, and delayed treatment in 140 children with lateral condyle fracture of the humerus between 2013 and 2021. MATERIAL AND METHODS In the study, 140 patients with Milch type 2 fractures were included. Patients underwent fixation with K-wires or screws after open or closed reduction. Data collected included age, sex, trauma details, surgery timing, operating conditions, perioperative issues, and rehabilitation outcomes. Fracture union and complications were monitored through clinical examinations and X-rays. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS). RESULTS There were 58 patients in the early group, 52 in the elective group, and 30 in the delayed group. Surgery durations varied among the groups (P=0.000). The early and delayed groups as well as the early and elective groups had significantly different incision sizes (P=0.000 for both). The early and delayed groups and the early and elective groups had significantly different MEPS scores (P=0.002 and P=0.011, respectively). CONCLUSIONS In patients with late-presenting lateral condyle fractures, although complications increase, surgical treatment does not yield worse outcomes. Standardization of fracture management should be maintained during periods such as COVID-19.

Comparative Analysis of Percutaneous Excision and Radiofrequency Ablation for Osteoid Osteoma.

BACKGROUND This retrospective study aims to compare the efficacy of computed tomography-guided percutaneous excision and radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of osteoid osteoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS We evaluated 40 patients with osteoid osteoma who underwent either percutaneous excision or radiofrequency ablation between 2012 and 2015. The cohort consisted of 10 female and 30 male patients, with a mean age of 15.1 years (range: 4-27 years) and a mean follow-up time of 19.02 months (range: 11-39 months). Percutaneous excision was performed in 20 patients, while radiofrequency ablation was performed in the remaining 20 patients. RESULTS The success rates of percutaneous excision and radiofrequency ablation were comparable, with unsuccessful outcomes observed in 10% and 5% of patients, respectively. The reasons for failure in the percutaneous excision group were attributed to a marking error and incomplete excision of the wide-based nidus. Complications were limited to pathological fracture (n=1) and deep infection (n=1) in the percutaneous excision group, while no complications were encountered in the radiofrequency ablation group. CONCLUSIONS Both percutaneous excision and radiofrequency ablation demonstrate high success rates in treating osteoid osteoma. However, radiofrequency ablation offers the advantage of a quicker return to daily activities without the need for activity restrictions or splints. While being a more cost-effective option, percutaneous excision should be considered cautiously to minimize potential complications.

Comparison of Iliac and Femoral Autograft Practices in Pemberton Pelvic Osteotomy.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus in regard to grafts used after pelvic osteotomy in developmental dysplasia of the hip in the literature. The aim of this study was to compare iliac and femoral autografts used after Pemberton pelvic osteotomy (PPO). METHODS: In this prospective, randomized study, 60 hips with dysplasia of the hip were included. All patients underwent open reduction, PPO, and femoral shortening osteotomy. Iliac autograft (group I; n=30 hips; mean age, 39.07; range, 18 to 72 mo) and femoral autograft (group II; n=30 hips; mean age, 42.53; range, 19 to 70 mo) were used to fill the iliac osteotomy. The height and width of the iliac and femoral autografts were measured intraoperatively. Anteroposterior pelvic radiographs were obtained on the 45th day, and in the 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 12th months postoperatively. Acetabular index angle, height of the graft, loss of graft position, graft resorption, operative time, blood loss, and union time were compared between the groups. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in each group in terms of loss of graft height between the intraoperative measurement and the postoperative measurement at the 6th week and 3rd month. The intraoperative width of the grafts was significantly greater, loss of graft height was significantly less, and the amount of bleeding was significantly lower in group II (P<0.001 for all 3). However, time to union was significantly shorter in group I (P<0.001). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of acetabular index angle at the last controls. There were loss of graft position in 2 cases and graft resorption in 1 case for group I, but no such cases occurred for group II. CONCLUSIONS: Graft height and position loss, donor site morbidity, and graft resorption were less in the femoral autografts group compared with the iliac autografts group in the treatment PPO with femoral shortening osteotomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Big and deep seated lipomatous tumours in children : results of surgical treatment.

The objective of the study is aimed to evaluate results of our pediatric patients with big and deep-seated lipomatous tumors Results of 32 children who underwent resection for 5 cm or larger and deep-seated lipomas were evaluated. The mean age of the patients was 9.1 years (range, 0-16 ; 11 female/21 male), and median follow-up period was 3.21 years (range, 1-10 years). The median size of the excised tumour was 11 cm (range, 6-28 cm) in maximal dimension. Big lipomas in children can be treated with marginal resection procedures without biopsy with lower complication and local recurrence ratio compared to adult patients with similar tumours in similar size and location.

Big and deep seated lipomatous tumours in children : results of surgical treatment.

The objective of the study is aimed to evaluate results of our pediatric patients with big and deep-seated lipomatous tumors Results of 32 children who underwent resection for 5 cm or larger and deep-seated lipomas were evaluated. The mean age of the patients was 9.1 years (range, 0-16 ; 11 female/21 male), and median follow-up period was 3.21 years (range, 1-10 years). The median size of the excised tumour was 11 cm (range, 6-28 cm) in maximal dimension. Big lipomas in children can be treated with marginal resection procedures without biopsy with lower complication and local recurrence ratio compared to adult patients with similar tumours in similar size and location.

An evaluation of treating non-union of femoral neck fractures with valgus angulation osteotomy using sliding hip screws.

This study presents the outcomes of patients treated with non-union of femoral neck fractures healed with valgus osteotomy, fixed with a Dynamic Hip Screw (DHS). The study retrospectively evaluated 16 patients who, between 2007 and 2014, developed pseudarthrosis following treatment for a femoral neck fracture and who were treated with DHS-osteosynthesis, after a valgus subtrochanteric osteotomy. Postoperative clinical evaluation of the patients was done? using the Harris Hip Scoring (HHS) system. Union of both the fracture and the osteotomy site was achieved in 17.2 weeks (range: 14-24 weeks) in all patients. The average Pauwels angle decreased from 72o (range 62-80) preoperatively to 26o (range 20-50) postoperatively. All fractures were Pauwels type III preoperatively and 4 type II and 12 type I postoperatively. The average HHS increased from 26 (range 18-34) preoperatively to 85 (range 68-94) postoperatively. Of the patients who were followed up for a mean duration of 3.1 years (range: 1-5 years), four had 1-cm shortening. No patient developed postoperative AVN of the femoral head. For patients with non-union after femoral neck fracture, DHS-osteosynthesis after valgus osteotomy is a method with a shorter learning curve, which can be successfully performed.

Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis in Open Pediatric Tibial Fractures.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness and reliability of limited-contact locking plates in minimally invasive percutaneous osteosynthesis (MIPO) of the lateral tibia. DESIGN: A retrospective study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The retrospective study included 14 patients who were operatively treated with an MIPO technique due to open tibial fractures between 2006 and 2012. The patients were 11 males and 3 females with a mean age of 13.2 (range, 9 to 16) years. The patients were followed up for a mean period of 2.4 (range, 1 to 5) years. The mechanism of the injuries included a motor vehicle accident (n=11), a shotgun injury (n=2), and a fall from height (n=1). According to the Gustilo-Anderson classification, 10 patients had type I (72%), 2 had type II (14%), and 2 had type III (14%) open fractures. RESULTS: The mean time to radiologic union was 18 (range, 11 to 32) weeks. No infection was detected that would require implant removal. No complications such as early epiphyseal closure, angulation, or limb-length inequality were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Limited-contact locking plates in MIPO of the lateral tibia is an effective alternative method in the treatment of open pediatric tibial fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-therapeutic.

A comparison of percutaneous trephine excision and open surgery in the treatment of osteoid osteoma.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare CT-assisted percutaneous excision, which is a closed, economic method and a more cosmetic approach, and open surgery in the treatment of osteoid osteoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-three patients (12 female and 41 male patients) who had percutaneous excision (n = 24) and open surgery (n = 29) were evaluated retrospectively. The mean age was 16.6 years and the mean duration of follow-up was 53.5 months. During percutaneous excision, a trephine was advanced through the labeling wire and the site, including the nidus, was excised en-bloc and the incision walls were curetted. During the open surgery, the localization of the nidus was marked using c-arm X-ray and the nidus was accessed by lifting the cortical bone, layer-by-layer, using burr. The nidus was excised and its cavity curetted. RESULTS: The result was successful in 22 and a failure in three patients who had closed excision. The result was successful in 20 and a failure in nine patients who had open surgery. The mean duration of operation was 44.37 minutes in the percutaneous excision group and 80.6 minutes in the open surgery group. There was no difference in the pre-operative VAS values between the two groups, whereas the post-operative VAS values were statistically significantly different. There was also a statistically significant difference in the duration of the operation and the length of the hospital stay between the groups. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous excision with trephine is a more successful, effective, minimally invasive, safe and a better cosmetic approach in the treatment of osteoid osteoma. This method is also a cheap method that does not require expensive equipment.

Segmental bone loss in pediatric lower extremity fractures: indications and results of bone transport.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we evaluated the results of external bone transport, which was applied to 11 patients with traumatic bone loss who had not completed their bone development. METHODS: The average age of the 9 male and 2 female patients was 10.6 (range, 8 to 16) years. Eight of the defects were located in the tibia, whereas the other 3 were in the femur. The average defect was 5.4 (range, 4.5 to 8.5) cm. External bone transport was applied in the early period in 7 patients, whereas in 4 patients it was performed due to nonunion. Bifocal osteosynthesis and single osteotomy were performed in 2 patients with type B2 nonunion. Compression to the nonunion region and lengthening in the osteotomy region were applied. In 2 patients with type B1 nonunion, and the other 9 patients who had external bone transport, the gap was eliminated by bifocal osteosynthesis, single osteotomy, and bone transport to the osteotomy line. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 21 (range, 13 to 48) months. Complete union was achieved in all patients without any bone operation or graft application. No refracture was observed after the removal of the external fixator, and the average hospitalization time was 16 (range, 7 to 65) days. The average external fixation time was 4.2 (range, 3.5 to 5.5) months, and the mean external fixator index was 0.8 months (23 d/cm). The mean bone healing time was 5.1 (range, 4.6 to 6) months. CONCLUSIONS: To initially consider the open fractures with true or in situ bone loss in children as "anticipated nonunion," and determine the treatment strategies regarding this fact, may prevent nonunion and shorten the healing period. Bone transport in the treatment of traumatic bone defects in children is an easy biological procedure, with lower complications but higher success ratios. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-therapeutic.

Management of infectious fractures with "Non-Contact Plate" (NCP) method.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of internal fixation with Non-Contact Plating (NCP) after deep infection caused by previous surgeries of the tibia or femur fractures. The study included 15 patients (4 female and 11 male). The mean age patients was 36.6 years (range, 21-64 years). There were 6 femur and 9 tibia fractures. The mean follow-up period was 25.7 months (range, 15-45 months). The study comprised 11 open and 4 closed fractures. External fixator was used in 3, plate in 4, and intramedullary nail in 8 patients for index surgery. Deep infection was diagnosed via clinical findings, laboratory parameters, and microbiological evaulation. Deep infection was diagnosed within a mean period of 5.5 weeks (range, 2-10 weeks). The infecting organism was methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in 5, methicillin-sensitive staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) in 6, pseudomonas auroginosa in 2, and enterobacteriacea in 2 patients. Union achieved in all patients. Mean time to union was 17 (range, 11-38) weeks. Delayed union was observed in 3 patients who required additional surgeries. Of these one patient developed osteomyelitis. The NCP is an effective alternative method in the treatment of deep infection encountered after internal or external fixation for the tibia, or femur fractures.

How safe is titanium elastic nail application in the surgical treatment of tibia fractures in children?

Tibia fractures in children are generally treated successfully by conservative means. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fixation using Titanium elastic nails (TEN) in pediatric tibia fractures in which conservative measures failed or were deemed inapplicable. In this study, 30 patients who had tibia fractures and were fixated with TEN between 2007 and 2011 were analyzed retrospectively. The procedure was performed after poly-trauma in six patients, open fracture in seven, reduction loss in twelve, and unsuccessful closed reduction in five patients. The number of girls and boys was 3 and 27, respectively, with a mean age of 9.8 years. The evaluation criteria of Flynn et al. were used in the analysis of the results. The mean follow-up period was 18 months. The mean period of union was 8 weeks and 14 weeks in closed and open fractures, respectively. Epiphyseal damage, rotational deformity, need for reintervention, deep infection, implant failure, or recurrent fracture was not observed in any case. According to the Flynn evaluation system, 23 cases were evaluated as excellent, and 7 as good. Fixation with TEN is an easy, effective, and safe method that can be used in tibia fractures that are open, irreducible, or with loss of reduction and in cases with accompanying trauma, such as floating knee.

One-stage bilateral open reduction using the anterior iliofemoral approach in developmental dysplasia of the hip.

The aim of this study was to investigate the safety of one-stage bilateral open reduction using the anterior approach in the treatment of patients with bilateral Tönnis Type III and IV Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH). Forty-six patients were retrospectively evaluated. Thirty-eight were female, eight were male. The mean age was 16.63 (11-29) months. The mean follow-up period was 27.18 (12-65) months. The mean hospitalization period after surgery was 1.91 (1-5) days. The mean pre-operative hematocrit level was 35.14% (28.1-44.1) and the mean pre-operative hemoglobin level was 11.75 g/dl (9.3-13.6). The mean post-operative hematocrit level was 32.54% (26.7-40.4) and the mean post-operative hemoglobin level was 10.80 g/dl (8.78-12.3). None of the patients required blood transfusion. The mean anesthesia duration was 133.30 (95-180) minutes, and the mean operation duration was 107.58 (70-145) minutes. According to the modified scoring system by Trevor et al, excellent results were obtained in 66 hips of 46 patients (71.8%), and good results were obtained in 26 hips (28.2%). Twenty two hips (23.91%), which developed acetabular dysplasia in the follow-up period required a secondary acetabular intervention. According to the Kalamchi and MacEwen classification, Type I avascular necrosis developed in ten hips, Type II in one hip, and Type IV in two hips. One-stage bilateral open reduction using the anterior iliofemoral approach in Tönnis Type III and IV DDH at walking age is a safe, time-saving treatment method that shortens the hospitalization and immobilization periods.

Should routine pelvic osteotomy be added to the treatment of DDH after 18 months?

The treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) between ages 1-3 years is controversial. Particularly controversial is the age after which pelvic osteotomy should be added to the treatment. In the present study, the outcomes of DDH patients aged 1-3 years treated with anterior open reduction alone were evaluated, and the relationship between inadequate acetabular development, the need for secondary pelvic osteotomy, and age was investigated. A total of 53 patients (70 hips) who had begun walking, who had undergone open reduction through an anterolateral approach, who had a follow-up period of at least 2 years, and who had Tönnis grade III and IV hip dysplasia were included in the study. They were grouped according to treatment age (pre-18 months: Group I; post-18 months: Group II), and the two groups were compared with regard to radiological and functional outcomes and the need for a secondary acetabular procedure. In Group I there were 29 hips (mean age: 16.09 months) and in group II there were 41 hips (mean age: 23.1 months), and the mean follow-up period was 48.9 months. According to the modified Trevor score, in Group I outcomes were excellent in 23 hips (79.3%) and good in 6 hips (20.7%), while in group II outcomes were excellent in 30 hips (73.2%), good in 10 hips (24.4%), and fair in 1 hip (2.1%). The difference between outcomes was not significant (P > 0.05). Inadequate acetabular development was determined in 11 hips in group I (37.9%) and in 16 hips in group II (39%). There was no difference between groups in terms of inadequate acetabular development or the need for acetabular prodecures (p > 0.05). No significant difference was determined between DDH patients treated before 18 months and those treated after 18 months with regard to unsatisfactory acetabular development or the need for secondary acetabular procedures. According to these results, reduction prior to 18 months does not always achieve satisfactory acetabular development, and secondary acetabular procedures are not always necessary in patients who undergo reduction after 18 months. In the treatment of DDH, the decision to perform primary pelvic osteotomy in addition to open reduction should be made not according to whether the patient is older or younger than 18 months, but according to stability, and all patients should be followed closely with regard to the need for pelvic osteotomy.

How successful is synthetic graft treatment for children with pathological hip fractures?

PURPOSE: To determine whether synthetic grafts are a satisfactory treatment option for pathological proximal femoral fractures in children. METHODS: Paediatric patients treated for pathological fractures of the proximal femur between 2013 and 2020 were evaluated retrospectively. 17 patients with a mean age of 10.7 years (range 6-16 years) were assessed. The definitive histopathological diagnoses were SBC (simple bone cyst) (12) and ABC (aneurysmal bone cyst) (5). The median duration of follow-up was 37 months (range 12-70 months). RESULTS: All patients returned to their normal daily routine within 3-8 months following surgery. The mean post-op recovery time was 3.2 months (range 3-6 months). Graft was incorporated at approximately 12 months. No significant radiographic healing was observed in 2 patients. In the remaining 15 patients, the mean duration of healing was 14 months (range 8-24 months). CONCLUSION: Synthetic grafts are a satisfactory treatment option for pathological proximal femoral fractures in children.

Surgical treatment outcome for open supracondylar humerus fractures in children.

Although numerous studies have been conducted on supracondylar humerus fractures in children, there is only a limited number of studies regarding the outcome of open fractures. In this study, the early and late outcome of open supracondylar humerus fractures in children were evaluated. The outcome in 26 children (19 males, 7 females) treated for open supracondylar humerus fractures was evaluated retrospectively. The mean age was 73 years (range: 4 to 14) and the mean follow-up period was 43 years (range: 2-8). According to the Gustilo-Anderson classification, 18 patients (69%) had type 1 and 8 patients (31%) type 2 open fractures. Nine patients (34%) presented with a nerve injury. Distal pulses could not be detected in four patients (15%). Functional outcomes were evaluated according to the scoring criteria by Flynn et al. Pin tract infection developed in one patient (3%). Artery repair via an anterior approach was performed in one patient. In nine patients with neurological symptoms, nerve functions were restored within three to six months. The mean union time was six weeks (5-8 weeks). According to the scoring criteria by Flynn et al, an excellent outcome was achieved in 23 patients, and a successful outcome in 3 patients. According to these findings, although vascular and nerve injuries frequently accompany open supracondylar humerus fractures in children, the late radiological and functional outcome was as good as in closed fractures.

Predictive factors for the development of Gartland type IV supracondylar humerus fractures: a prospective clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the preoperative predictive factors for the development of Gartland type IV supracondylar humerus fracture based on the patient characteristic, fracture mechanism, and preoperative radiographic fracture characteristics. METHODS: This prospective study included the data of 120 patients with Gartland type III and IV supracondylar humerus fractures treated in a single center from 2020 to 2021. Patients' age, gender, height/weight percentile values, injury mechanisms, the proximity of fracture fragment to the skin (i.e., dimple sign), and time from trauma to surgical treatment were recorded. In the preoperative radiographs, the degree of extension or flexion deformity between fracture fragments in the sagittal plane, varus/valgus angulation between fracture fragments in the coronal plane, the amount of translation (medial or lateral) in the coronal plane, and the amount of osseous apposition between fracture fragments in the coronal plane were evaluated. With the authors' consensus, the patients were divided into 2 groups based on the presence of multidirectional instability during the intraoperative reduction: group 1 (Gartland type III; 99 patients) and group 2 (Gartland type IV; 21 patients). Fixation of the fractures was then completed. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed between groups in the valgus/varus angle and amount of osseous apposition (P < .001). Although no significant difference was found in terms of translation amount between the groups (P=.088), there was a significant correlation with medial translation in type IV fractures (P < .001). The correlation between the results and the groups was checked with Spearman's test. Medial translation (r=0.352), varus or valgus angulation (r=0.616), and osseous apposition (r=0.433) exhibited a positive correlation. The probability of type IV fracture was modeled for the preoperative parameters using binary logistic regression. The regression analysis showed that the diagnosis of type IV supracondylar fractures could be predicted, if varus or valgus angulation was more than 25.5° (81% sensitivity, 85% specificity, odds ratio=1.725; 95% CI=1.170-2.541, P=.001, r=0.616) and if the amount of osseous apposition was more than 9.5 mm (85% sensitivity, 81% specificity, odds ratio=1.471; 95% CI=0.714-3.029, P=.001, r=0.433) in the preoperative radiographs. There was also a significant correlation between medial translation (varus angulation) (P < .001, r=0.352), age (P=.019, r=0.255), and patients with more than 90 height/weight percentile values (P < .001, r=0.508) with the possibility to have Gartland type IV fractures. CONCLUSION: This study has found some preoperative factors that may be relevant for type IV Gartland fractures. Height/weight values greater than the 90 percentile, varus or valgus angulation greater than 25.5°, bone apposition values greater than 9.5mm, medial translation values greater than 11mm, and older than eight years patients type IV fractures were more common in such patients. If surgeons can more accurately diagnose a Gartland type IV fracture preoperatively, the surgeon can more accurately inform the patient and plan better treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, Diagnostic Study.

Can American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score prevent unnecessary MRI in isolated ankle ligament injuries?

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Ankle injuries are the most common musculoskeletal injuries. Its incidence is also high among sports injuries. Direct X-ray, ultrasound and MRI can be requested after the history and physical examination in the patient who presents with ankle ligament injury. Some classifications are used for requesting direct X-ray after ankle injury. Since clear limits are not specified in the literature for MRI, the rate of unnecessary MRI examinations is high. We argue that the decision can be made according to the AOFAS score to be checked before MR is requested, and thus unnecessary MR requests can be reduced. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Ankle MRI images of patients who underwent ankle MRI due to ankle trauma between January 2018 and December 2020 were scanned. 328 patients who met the criteria were included in the study. Patients with AOFAS scores in their outpatient clinic records were identified. AOFAS scores of patients with at least one ligament injury and those with normal MR images were statistically compared. Sensitivity and specificity were determined for the AOFAS score using ROC analysis. RESULTS: Patients with ligament damage as a result of MRI examination were 21.3% (n=70), and patients without any ligament damage were 78.7% (n=258). There was a statistically significant difference in terms of AOFAS between the group with ligament damage and the group without ligament damage (p< 0.05). In the ROC analysis, the AOFAS threshold value for MR request was determined as 80.5 (84.3% sensitivity and 72.3% specificity). Based on the determined threshold value, 73 patients who had unnecessary MRI would have been eliminated, thus reducing the number of MRIs by 42.6%. CONCLUSION: The AOFAS scores of patients with ligament damage were statistically significantly lower than those of patients without ligament pathology. Unnecessary MRI can be significantly prevented by using the AOFAS score in ankle traumas without bone fractures.

Retinal microvascular changes in patients with familial mediterranean fever: a study based on optical coherence tomography angiography.

PURPOSE: In this study, we aimed to show whether a difference exists between retinal and choroidal microcirculation findings between patients with familial Mediterranean fever and healthy controls. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with familial Mediterranean fever and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. All the patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination, including best-corrected visual acuity and intraocular pressure measurement. The AngioVue optical coherence tomography angiography device (Optovue, Fremont, CA) with split-spectrum amplitude-decorrelation angiography was used to evaluate and examine the retinal microvascular structure. Three-dimensional en face Optical coherence tomography angiography images were obtained by examining the macula using the 3 x 3 mm scanning protocol in the Angio Retina mode and the optic nerve using the 3 x 3 mm scanning protocol in the Angio Disk mode. All the patients' right eyes were examined. RESULTS: A total of 62 subjects were included in the study, of whom 32 (53.3%) were female and 30 (46.7%) were male. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of optic nerve head or radial peripapillary capillary vessel density. On examination, the superficial capillary plexuses were statistically similar between the two groups, but the deep capillary plexus vessel density in the parafovea, superior hemi, temporal, and superior areas were significantly lower in the patients with familial Mediterranean fever. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the capillary plexus vessel density was significantly lower in the parafovea, superior hemi, temporal, and superior regions in the patients with familial Mediterranean fever than in the control group. Therefore, OCTA, a noninvasive study, may be useful for understanding the systemic effects of familial Mediterranean fever.

Functional outcomes and quality of life in adult ipsilateral femur and tibia fractures.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study is to evaluate the functional outcomes and quality of life in adult ipsilateral femur and tibia fractures. METHODS: 26 patients (21 male, 5 female; mean age 30 years, range: 18 to 66) treated for adult ipsilateral femur and tibia fractures were evaluated retrospectively. For femur fractures, intramedullary nails were used in 15 patients (12 antegrade, 3 retrograde), plate in 11 patients (10 locked-plate, and 1 blade-plate with a 95 degree angle). For tibia fractures, locked-plate were used in 13 patients, intramedullary nails in 9 patients, external fixator in 3 patients and multiple screws in 1 patient. According to Blake and McBryde classification, 17 fractures were type I, 9 fractures were type II (7 type 2A and 2 type 2B). The functional outcomes were evaluated by Karlström and Olerud criteria, and quality of life was evaluated by Short Form-36. The mean follow-up duration was 4.4 years (range: 1.1 to 7.3 years). RESULTS: The functional outcomes were excellent in 6 patients, good in 8 patients, acceptable in 6 patients and poor in 6 patients. The mean values of quality of life scales were; physical function: 64.8, physical role limitation: 60.5, pain: 68.2, general health: 63.3, vitality: 58.4, social function: 68.2, emotional role limitation: 62.7, and mental health: 65.8. CONCLUSION: Adult ipsilateral femur and tibia fractures are severe injuries and adversely affect the quality of life and functional outcomes. The quality of life scales should be used along with functional outcome scores in evaluating these injuries. THE TRANSLATIONAL POTENTIAL OF THIS ARTICLE: Adult ipsilateral femur and tibia fractures cause severe morbidity. Functional outcomes and quality of life scales should be used together to evaluate these fractures. Karlström and Olerud criteria for functional outcomes and Short Form-36 scales for quality of life are suitable methods to evalute these fractures.