Cement beads and cement spacers: indications, techniques, and clinical results.

Objectives: To report our experience on the use of antibiotic coated nails (ACN) and cement beads for the management of bone infections. Materials and methods: Infected nonunion (INU) cases were classified as: Type I (mild infection with no gap), Type II (moderate with good alignment, severe infection, gap <3 cm, no deformity), Type III (severe infection with gap ≥3 cm, deformity and limb shortening). Treatment involved either the insertion of ACN and cast (Type I), insertion of ACN, beads and external fixator (Type II), or Ilizarov methodology (Type III). A subset of 28 open fractures were admitted with severe contamination or delayed presentation with established infection and treated with debridement, ACN insertion, and antibiotic beads placed in soft tissue dead space areas. Results: Results of 133 cases were classified excellent, good, and poor. Type I INU reported 40 excellent and 22 good results. Type II INU reported 28 (39%) excellent, 30 (43%) good, and 13 (18%) poor results. Poor results were due to uncontrolled infection and knee stiffness. Three patients required knee fusion and 1 required amputation. Fracture union was reported in 68 cases. Four of the 28 Gustilo grade III open fractures treated with ACN developed infected nonunion and had poor function caused by stiff knees. Conclusions: An antibiotic impregnated cement nail (ACN) fills the dead space and elutes high concentrations of antibiotics providing some mechanical stability. We recommend the adjunct use of an ACN for the management of INU cases and for use in select cases of Gustilo grade III open fractures.

Augmentation of intramedullary nailing in unstable intertrochanteric fractures using cerclage wire and lag screws: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Unstable intertrochanteric fractures present a challenge to orthopaedic surgeons, with varied geometry of the fractures and a wide choice of implants and techniques. The patients are usually osteoporotic, with multiple co-morbidities and poor tolerance for complications and re-operations. Lateral wall reconstruction and stability of the trochanteric fragments are considered important in providing a better outcome of these difficult injuries. We present a technique of lateral wall and trochanteric reconstruction using Cerclage wires and lag screws in the greater trochanter in addition to intramedullary nailing, and the radiological and functional outcome of this technique of augmentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study includes 154 patients from 2010 to 2015 presenting to the institute with an unstable intertrochanteric fracture. They were sequentially operated with intramedullary nailing (IMN) and augmentation with cerclage wire and/or Anteroposterior screw in greater trochanter, and 77 patients with IMN only. Operating time and need for blood transfusion post-surgery were documented. Patients were followed up for minimum of 12 months and radiological union time, complications and functional outcome using Harris Hip Score were noted at 1 year. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the results in both groups RESULTS: The mean union was 3.6 months in group A and 4.1 months in group B, with no statistically significant difference. The operating time needed for augmentation was 10 minutes more than IMN only. Blood transfusion was not required in any case. The incidence of complications like screw cut out, back out and non-union was lower in augmented group, and good functional outcome was greater in the augmented group which was statistically significant. The reoperation rate was lower in augmented group. CONCLUSIONS: This new technique of augmentation of fixation of intramedullary nail in unstable trochanteric fractures using cerclage wires and lag screws for lateral wall reconstruction is useful in reducing complications of the procedure and provides good radiological and functional outcome. It requires little additional operating time with minimal blood loss and soft tissue injury.

Comparison between antegrade intramedullary nailing (IMN), open reduction plate osteosynthesis (ORPO) and minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) in treatment of humerus diaphyseal fractures.

INTRODUCTION: The three currently used methods of treatment: namely open reduction plate osteosynthesis (ORPO), Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO), antegrade intramedullary nailing(IMN) are all reported as satisfactory procedures for treatment of humeral shaft fractures. However none of the published reports have a comparison of superiority of one procedure over the other. We evaluated the clinical, radiological and functional outcome of the three procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied adult patients with humerus shaft fractures over a period of 2 years from May 2014 to May 2016 in a level 1 trauma center. Forty-four were treated with IMN, 34 treated with ORPO, and 34 with MIPO. The null hypothesis tested in this study is that there is no difference between IMN, ORPO, MIPO with respect to union time, surgical time, complication rate, non-union rate and functional outcome. Functional outcome was studied by comparing the UCLA shoulder and MEP scores in the three groups. RESULTS: 112 patients were studied consisting of 83 males and 29 females with mean age of 39 years (range 18-70). IMN group showed early union with mean of 12.73 weeks compared to MIPO (14.45 weeks) and ORPO(13.58 weeks), (p<0.05). MIPO had no events of non-union, as compared to ORPO (5 non-unions) and IMN (10 non-unions), (p=0.04). The range of movement at the shoulder with the UCLA score was significantly better with a score of 32.26 in MIPO as compared to 27.54 in IMN and 28.82 in ORPO (p<0.05). The difference in MEPS score in the three groups was not significant (p=0.31). IMN required a mean of 117.95 minutes intraoperatively as compared to 131 and 150.58 mins in MIPO, ORPO respectively. CONCLUSION: MIPO is overall better with respect to non-union, functional outcome and complications rate. The surgical time depends on the surgeons' skill and learning curve. Thus considering the advantages and risks involved in the various procedure and surgical acumen, each case should be individualized to have a good outcome. We advocate that MIPO can be safely used as an alternative in treating these fractures.

Antegrade interlocking nailing for distal femoral fractures.

PURPOSE: To assess outcomes of antegrade interlocking nailing for supracondylar or intercondylar fractures of the distal femur. METHODS: Records of 10 women and 20 men aged 20 to 70 (mean, 48.7) years who underwent antegrade interlocking nailing for distal femoral fractures were reviewed. 23 patients had closed fractures and 7 had open fractures; 6 had associated fractures of the forearm or tibia. According to the AO/ASIF system, fractures were classified as types A1 (n=13), A2 (n=6), A3 (n=3), and C1 (n=8). The affected leg was put in an extension shoe for traction, and reduction was achieved with the help of percutaneous lag screws. The nail was inserted from the tip of the greater trochanter and centred in both anteroposterior and lateral planes. The nail was modified to have 3 screw slots in the mediolateral plane and one screw slot in the anteroposterior plane distally for stability in multiple directions. Postoperatively early mobilisation and partial weight bearing were allowed. Patients were assessed using the modified knee-rating scale of the Hospital for Special Surgery. RESULTS: The mean time to bone union was 13.1 (range, 10-18) weeks. The mean follow-up period was 18.8 (range, 11-30) months. Three patients were lost to follow-up; outcomes in the remaining patients were excellent in 20 and good in 7. The mean range of knee flexion was 106 (range, 90-120) degrees. One patient developed a flexion deformity of 10 degrees. All patients attained full quadriceps strength. No patient had ligamentous instability, nerve injuries, superficial or deep infections, or implant failure. Three patients had malunion, which was located in the meta-diaphyseal segment and not in the intraarticular segment. Hence, there was no functional problem or shortening. The mechanical axis was not deviated. CONCLUSION: Antegrade interlocking nailing achieved good-to-excellent outcomes for distal femoral fractures.