Surgical Exposure Trends and Controversies in Extremity Fracture Care.

Surgical exposures for the management of extremity fractures continue to evolve. Strategies to achieve satisfactory articular reconstitution require surgeons to have an appreciation and understanding of various conventional and contemporary surgical approaches. The recent literature has witnessed a surge in studies on surgical approaches for the fixation of extremity fractures. This increased interest in surgical exposures resulted from not only a desire to enhance outcomes and minimize complications but also a recognition of the inadequacies of traditionally accepted surgical exposures. Contemporary exposures may be modifications or combinations of existing exposures. All surgical exposures require proper surgical execution and familiarity with regional anatomic structures. Exposures, whether conventional or contemporary, must provide sufficient access for reduction and implant insertion. Proper exposure selection can greatly enhance a surgeon's ability to achieve acceptable reduction and adequate fixation. Unique characteristics of both the patient and his or her fracture pathoanatomy may dictate the surgical approach. Patient positioning, imaging access, and concomitant comorbidities (medical, systemic trauma, and regional extremity related) also must be considered. Minimally invasive methods of reduction and fixation are attractive and have merit; however, adherence to them while failing to achieve satisfactory reduction and fixation will not generate a desirable outcome. Surgeons should be aware of several site-specific anatomic regions in which evolving surgical exposures and strategies for extremity fracture management have had favorable outcomes.

Locked and minimally invasive plating: a paradigm shift? Metadiaphyseal site-specific concerns and controversies.

Metadiaphyseal fractures of long bones are associated with considerable deforming forces, tenuous soft-tissue envelopes, and, often, severely compromised osseous integrity. Contemporary methods to fix complex metadiaphyseal fractures must achieve a balance between the biomechanical and biologic environments. The advent of precontoured locking plates inserted with evolving minimally invasive techniques may achieve both goals. Enthusiasm for their application demands continued scientific validation. Indications and outcomes must be carefully evaluated, and the benefits and limitations of this combination of implant design and surgical execution must be recognized.

Use of a Retrograde Guidewire to Direct an Antegrade Femoral Nail.

Antegrade intramedullary nailing for the treatment of diaphyseal femur fractures may present challenges in obtaining appropriate positioning of the distal tip of the nail. Known mismatch between the radius of curvature of commonly used nails and the anatomic bow of the femur may result in impingement or perforation of the anterior cortex of the distal femur. Additionally, some unique scenarios may arise that complicate traditional antegrade wire passage. We report our surgical technique and clinical experience using a retrograde guidewire to direct an antegrade femoral nail to aid in obtaining a desired central location of the distal nail tip. [Orthopedics. 2023;46(2):e132-e135.].

Pilon fractures: Consensus and controversy.

Pilon fractures are complex injuries that require an individualized approach to treatment to avoid complications and achieve good outcomes. Staged open reduction internal fixation remains the gold standard for most cases to achieve anatomic articular reduction while minimizing soft tissue complications and infection. Careful preoperative planning based on computed tomography dictates the surgical approach for reduction. A subset of cases may be amenable to early definitive or provisional open reduction and internal fixation based on fracture pattern. In some cases of severe articular comminution where reconstruction is not possible, primary ankle arthrodesis may be a good alternative.

Pilon Fracture: Preventing Complications.

Fractures of the distal tibial plafond (ie, pilon) comprise a broad range of injury mechanisms, patient demographics, and soft-tissue and osseous lesions. Patients often present with considerably comminuted fracture patterns and notable soft-tissue compromise. Surgical intervention must be performed with respect for the exceedingly vulnerable soft-tissue envelope and with a properly executed technique. Even with proper timing, favorable host factors, and expert surgical technique, restoration of function and avoidance of complications are not always achievable. Recently validated techniques further diminish the risk of soft-tissue and osseous sepsis. These techniques include early (ie, "immediate") fixation, upgrading, primary arthrodesis, staged sequential posterior and anterior fixation, acute shortening, and transsyndesmotic fibular plating. Proper application of these recently adopted techniques may be instrumental in achieving aseptic union of pilon fractures.

Staged Fixation of Tibial Plateau Fractures: Strategies for the Posterior Approach.

A critical assessment of radiographic and clinical outcomes after complex articular fractures of the proximal tibia demonstrates several aspects worthy of reevaluation and potential modification. These include a refined understanding of fracture pathoanatomy, injury classification, operative exposure, surgical timing, and preferred fixation constructs in addition to implant design modifications. Evolving trends include increasing appreciation of the importance of the fracture morphology in the axial plane and the role that the fracture pattern has on the choice of surgical approach. This focused review will highlight the attributes and limitations of classification schemes (both conventional and contemporary) as well as the role that posterior surgical approaches performed in the prone position may offer in select clinical scenarios. The merits of staged fixation (prone followed by supine patient positioning), its technique, indications, and potential liabilities are described and case examples offered.