[Experiences with a helical femoral nail (LFN®). A multicenter study]. / Erfahrungen mit einem helikalen Femurmarknagel (LFN®). Eine multizentrische Studie.

INTRODUCTION: Antegrade intramedullary nailing is the method of choice in most femoral shaft fractures. The trochanteric entry portal of classic femoral nails is in close proximity to the piriformis tendon, the gluteus minimus tendon, the obturator tendons, and the medial femoral circumflex artery. Nail insertion lateral to the tip of the greater trochanter may be more favorable but needs the use of a helical implant. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Measurement of the reamer pathway through an entry point lateral to the superior trochanteric border was performed with a three-dimensional motion tracking sensor in human cadaveric femurs. These results provided a scientific rationale for the design of a helical femoral nail (LFN®). In a prospective multicenter study a total of 227 femoral shaft fractures were treated by nailing with the LFN. Patients were followed at 3 months (n=193) and 12 months (n=167). RESULTS: The ease of defining the entry point and inserting the nail was rated as"very good and good" by 90% of the surgeons. Intraoperative technical complications included incomplete reduction (14%), additional iatrogenic fractures (6%), and difficulties in interlocking (3.5%). At the 1-year follow-up, delayed unions were seen in 10%, secondary loss of reduction in 3%, and deep infection in 1.8% of the patients. Angular malalignment of more than 5° was seen in 5%, mostly in valgus. A normal walking capacity was seen in 68% and normal active hip flexion in 45%. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this study during 1 year do not provide evidence for an advantage of the LFN over conventional antegrade femoral nails.

[Wallstent endoprostheses implanted by fluoroscopic guidance in the palliative treatment of malignant esophageal obstructions and esophago-tracheal fistulas]. / Endoprótesis de Wallstent implantadas bajo control fluoroscópico en el tratamiento paliativo de las obstrucciones esofágicas malignas y fístulas esófago-traqueales.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to present our experience with metallic stents (Wallstent) for palliation of dysphagia due to malignant esophageal obstruction and esophagotracheal fistula. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From August 1994 to July 1996 20 uncovered and 6 covered stents were inserted in 16 consecutive patients with dysphagia grade 3 (n = 4) or grade 4 (n = 12) caused by incurable malignant obstructions. The obstruction was in the proximal (n = 4), in the middle (n = 3) and the distal (n = 9) third of the esophagus. Five patients presented with esophagotracheal fistula. The stent insertion was performed under fluoroscopic control. RESULTS: Exact positioning of the stent with reduction of the dysphagia was obtained in all patients. There were no complications related with the procedure. Esophagotracheal fistula was solved in those patients treated with covered stents. Six patients had recurrent dysphagia due to tumor ingrowth or overgrowth. In these patients an additional overlapping stent was placed. In latest evaluation 2 patients presented dysphagia grade I, 5 grade III, and 4 grade IV. CONCLUSION: Implantation of stents proved to be an effective and safe method of palliating dysphagia and occluding esofagotracheal fistula. Placement of stents was feasible without major procedure-related complications.

[Is the Hawkins sign able to predict necrosis in fractures of the neck of the astragalus?]. / ¿Es el signo de Hawkins capaz de predecir la necrosis en las fracturas del cuello astragalino?

OBJECTIVE: To assess if the Hawkins sign can predict whether or not astragalus fractures of the neck will develop avascular necrosis. It is also assessed whether the occurrence of this complication is related to the displacement of the fracture, soft tissue injury, or delay in the reduction or surgery. The results were compared with those found in the literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 23 talar neck fractures recorded over a a period of thirteen years. The following variables were analysed: displacement of the fracture, soft tissue injury, delay and type of treatment, complications, observation of the Hawkins sign, and functional outcome. RESULTS: There were 7 type I Hawkins fractures, 11 type II, and 4 type III and 1 type IV. Four cases developed avascular necrosis (2 Hawkins type II and 2 type III). Hawkins sign was observed in 12 cases, of which none developed necrosis. Four cases with negative Hawkins sign developed necrosis. No statistically significant differences were found when comparing the development of avascular necrosis with the displacement of the fracture, soft tissue injury, or delay in treatment. Differences were found when comparing the development of avascular necrosis with the Hawkins sign (P=.03). CONCLUSION: A positive Hawkins sign rules out that the fractured talus has developed avascular necrosis, but its absence does not confirm it.

Dermoscopic pattern of intermediate stage in seborrhoeic keratosis regressing to lichenoid keratosis: report of 24 cases.

BACKGROUND: Lichenoid keratosis (LK) is a well-described entity which has been proposed to represent an immunological or regressive response to pre-existing epidermal lesions such as solar lentigines or seborrhoeic keratoses. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the dermoscopic criteria of a series of cases of LK with remaining areas of seborrhoeic keratosis which were both dermoscopically and histologically diagnosed. METHODS: Pigmented lesions with dermoscopic areas of seborrhoeic keratosis and LK in the same tumour were consecutively diagnosed and prospectively included in the study. All pigmented lesions were examined and registered using DermLite Foto equipment (3Gen, LLC, Dana Point, CA, U.S.A.), at 10-fold magnification, at the Dermatology Department of Hospital de Sant Pau i Santa Tecla (Tarragona, Spain), between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2005. RESULTS: In total, 24 cases of lesions with dermoscopic areas of seborrhoeic keratosis and LK were collected. In four lesions (17%), the clinical differential diagnosis without dermoscopy included malignant melanoma and in seven lesions (29%), basal cell carcinoma. The diagnosis of LK was clinically considered without dermoscopy in only six cases (25%). A granular pattern was observed to be distributed throughout the LK areas of the lesions. This pattern consisted of the presence of brownish-grey, bluish-grey or whitish-grey coarse granules that formed, in 11 cases (46%), globules and/or short lines. In one lesion, located on the face, these short lines produced annular or rhomboid structures as seen in lentigo maligna melanoma. CONCLUSIONS: Dermoscopy is a useful tool which assists in the correct clinical recognition of LK, which may also potentially illuminate the pathogenesis of these tumours, showing the intermediate stage of regressing epidermal lesions in an LK.

[Percutaneous implant of Hickman catheters and reservoirs. Long-term experience]. / Implante percutáneo de catéteres de Hickman y reservorios. Experiencia a largo plazo.

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience with long term external catheters and implantable ports in the last 8 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From December 1987 to August 1995 a total of 617 central venous catheters were implanted in 541 patients in our Interventionist Vascular Radiology Unit, 265 men (49%) and 276 women (51%), with a mean age of 46 years. A total of 335 (54%) were partially implantable external catheters and 241 (39%) implantable ports in chest and 41 (7%) in the forearm. RESULTS: A technical success--defined as the possibility of implanting the catheter--was achieved in 98% of cases. Immediate complications included 5 pneumothorax (0.8%), 11 accidental carotid artery puncture (2%) with no clinical relevance, 18 catheter misplacement (3%), and 8 vein spasm (1%). Fifty-two catheters (8%) were removed on account of infectious complications. Currently, 71 catheters are still in use (12%), 433 (70%) have been removed or the catheter was patent until patients's death. CONCLUSIONS: Partially implantable central venous catheters and totally implantable ports are a safe alternative in patients requiring a central venous access for prolonged treatments. The low number of immediate complications renders the Interventionist Vascular Radiology Unit the proper place where to perform these procedures.

¿Es el signo de Hawkins capaz de predecir la necrosis en las fracturas del cuello astragalino? / Is the Hawkins sign able to predict necrosis in fractures of the neck of the astragalus?

Objetivo. Determinar si el signo de Hawkins predice que el astrágalo fracturado a nivel del cuello desarrollará o no una necrosis avascular (NAV), y determinar la relación con el desplazamiento de la fractura, la lesión de partes blandas, o la demora en la reducción o en la cirugía. Material y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo de 23 fracturas de cuello de astrágalo recogidas durante 13 años. Se recogen las siguientes variables: desplazamiento de la fractura, lesión de partes blandas, demora y tipo de tratamiento, complicaciones, observación del signo de Hawkins y resultado funcional. Resultados. Se registraron 7 fracturas Hawkins tipo I , 11 tipo II , 4 tipo III y una tipo IV . Cuatro casos desarrollaron una NAV (2 Hawkins tipo II y 2 tipo III ). Se observó el signo de Hawkins en 12 casos, de los cuales ninguno desarrolló necrosis. Cuatro casos con signo de Hawkins negativo desarrollaron necrosis. No se hallaron diferencias al comparar el desarrollo de NAV con el desplazamiento de la fractura, la lesión de partes blandas o la demora en el tratamiento. Sí se hallaron diferencias al comparar el desarrollo de NAV con la observación del signo de Hawkins (p = 0,03). Conclusión. El signo de Hawkins positivo descarta que el astrágalo fracturado desarrolle una NAV, pero su ausencia no lo confirma (AU)

Introduction: The most common cause of osteoarthritis of the ankle is post-traumatic, and although tibiotalar arthrodesis remains the surgical gold standard, a number of techniques have been described to preserve joint mobility, such as joint distraction arthroplasty or arthrodiastasis. Objective: To evaluate the functional outcome and changes in Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain after the application of the distraction arthroplasty for post-traumatic ankle osteoarthritis. Patients and methods: A prospective comparative study of a group of 10 young patients with post-traumatic ankle osteoarthritis treated by synovectomy and arthrodiastasis, compared to a control group of 10 patients treated by isolated synovectomy. Results were calculated using the AOFAS scale and the VAS for pain before and after treatment. Results: As regards the pain measured by VAS, no difference was observed between the two groups before surgery (P=.99), but there was a difference at 3 months (P<.001), 6 months (P=.005), and 12 months (P=.006). No differences were observed in the AOFAS scale between the two groups before surgery (P=.99), or at 3 months (P<.99), but there was a difference at 6 months (P<.001). Conclusions: Ankle arthrodiastasis is effective in reducing pain in post-traumatic ankle arthropathy, and is superior to isolated synovectomy (AU)

Fracturas abiertas / Open fractures

Se presenta una revisión del estado actual del tratamiento de las fracturas abiertas. Procurando despejar controversias y establecer los principios básicos de su tratamiento actual. El empleo de antibióticos en el tratamiento inicial de las fracturas abiertas es un concepto bien establecido, cuanto más precoz es su administración mayor es la reducción de la posibilidad de infección. Cuanto más radical es el desbridamiento, menor es la tasa de infección. El método de fijación de elección para las fracturas abiertas de las diáfisis de la extremidad inferior es el enclavado endomedular. El uso de fijadores externos debería limitarse a los casos de politraumatismos. Si el desbridamiento ha sido exhaustivo, se obtiene un mejor resultado con el cierre primario de la herida. Se debe reparar la pérdida de partes blandas tan pronto como sea posible y mediante el uso del sistema más simple pero eficaz en la escalera ortoplástica: cierre secundario, injerto libre, colgajo rotacional, colgajo libre microvascularizado. Aunque algunas pautas de tratamiento son claras, cada fractura abierta es distinta por lo cual el tratamiento debe ajustarse a cada fractura y a cada paciente (AU)

A review is presented on the current status of open fracture treatments, and an attempt is made to clear up controversies and establish the basic principles of their current treatment. The use of antibiotics in the initial treatment of open fractures is a well known concept, and the earlier they are given the greater is the reduction in the likelihood of infection. The more radical the debridement is, the lower the rate of infection. The fixation method of choice for open fractures of the diaphysis of the leg is the intramedullary nail. The use of external fixation should be limited to cases of multiple traumas. If the debridement has been exhaustive, a better result is obtained with the primary closure of the wound. The loss of soft tissue must be repaired as soon as possible and using the simplest but most efficient system on the orthoplastic ladder; secondary closure, free graft, rotational flap, free microvascularised flap. Although some treatment guidelines are clear, each open fracture is different and must be adapted to each fracture and to each patient (AU)

Carta 2 / Letter 2

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