A retrospective cohort analysis of failure and potential causes after osteosynthesis of femoral fractures with VA-LCP Condylar plate 4.5/5.0, Depuy Synthes.

Background: Since 2014, the VA-LCP Condylar Plate 4.5/5.0, Depuy Synthes, has been the preferred implant for these injuries at our institution, however, speculations have been made whether it is more prone to failure compared to other implants. Thus, the aim of the study was to describe the cohort treated with the VA-LCP Condylar Plate 4.5/5.0, Depuy Synthes, at our department from 2014 to 2020, including the number of failures. Secondary, whether specific outcome measures were significantly overrepresented in the failure group. Methods: Patients were identified through the hospital database, and demographic data was extracted from patient files. X-rays were evaluated for injury type, osteosynthesis characteristics, and whether the construct failed during follow-up. Thanks to the national patient record database a minimum of patients was lost to follow-up. Results: After exclusion 159 patients (165 osteosyntheses, descriptive part) and 108 patients (112 osteosyntheses, subgroup analysis) were eligible for inclusion. The VA-LCP Condylar Plate 4.5/5.0, Depuy Synthes, was used for most AO-type fractures and inserted as both neutralization, buttress, and bridging plates. Overall failure was seen in 8 % of osteosyntheses. Significantly more failures were seen in patients with increased Body Mass Index (BMI) (24 vs. 32, p = 0,046) and those treated for a periprosthetic fractures (41 % vs. 89 %, p = 0,005). We did not see an association between failure and plate length, bridge span, screw density or the degree of medial support. Conclusion: The VA-LCP Condylar Plate 4.5/5.0, Depuy Synthes is a versatile plate with failure rates comparable to previously reported studies. This study confirmed that elevated BMI may be a risk factor for failure, while other previously reported risk factors were not associated with failure in this study.

[Severely dislocated distal physeal femur fracture in a 13-year-old girl].

In this case report, a 13-year-old girl with a distal Salter-Harris type II physeal fracture was treated by open reduction and internal fixation. She had to undergo a CT scan to establish the extent of injury prior to treatment. Distal physeal fractures of the femur are rare fractures, which often present various difficulties in the post-operative regimen. The classification and dislocation of the fracture have therapeutical and prognostic values in terms of treatment planning and growth disturbances. Follow-up after these fractures is recommended in order to detect malunion or anisomelia.

Implementing, adapting, and validating an evidence-based algorithm for hip fracture surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Reoperations are common after surgical treatment of hip fractures but may be reduced by optimal choice of implant based on fracture classification. We hypothesized that implementing a surgical treatment algorithm was possible in our hospital and would result in a reduced reoperation rate. DESIGN: Retrospective comparative study. SETTING: Provincial level III trauma center. PATIENTS: The evidence-based "Hvidovre Algorithm" for treatment of hip fractures was adopted and implemented at our provincial institution in September 2008. Three hundred eighty-six consecutive patients older than 50 years admitted with a hip fracture in the first year after implementation were prospectively included and compared with 417 retrospectively included similar patients admitted within the last year before implementation. INTERVENTION: Implementation of an evidence-based treatment algorithm for hip fracture surgery. RESULTS: Eighty-five percent (330 of 386) patients were operated according to the algorithm after implementation, compared with 67% (280 of 417) of procedures before implementation (P < 0.001). After implementation, the overall reoperation rate showed a tendency toward a reduction to 8% (32 of 386) from 12% (48 of 417) (P = 0.1). Among all the 803 included patients, the reoperation rate was lower if procedures had been performed according to the algorithm recommendations: 9% (53 of 610) versus 14% (27 of 193) (P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: The algorithm for hip fracture surgery was easily implemented, and our results support that using it facilitates a low reoperation rate. The reoperation rate may be further reduced with higher adherence to algorithm recommendation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic level III. See instructions for authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Circumferential wires as a supplement to intramedullary nailing in unstable trochanteric hip fractures: 4 reoperations in 60 patients followed for 1 year.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Fixation of unstable trochanteric fractures is challenging. Application of a circumferential wire may facilitate bone contact and avoid postoperative fracture displacement. However, the use of circumferential wires remains controversial due to possible disturbance of the blood supply to the underlying bone. We evaluated the results of applied circumferential wires, concentrating mainly on complications and reoperations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 60 patients with unstable trochanteric fractures and use of circumferential wires (1 or more) and an intramedullary nail were included from 2 centers. We retrospectively assessed complications and reoperation rates within the first postoperative year. RESULTS: In 37 of the 60 patients, 2 or more circumferential wires were used. Anatomic reduction was achieved in 24 of the patients and a total cortical displacement of ≤ 10 mm was achieved in 26 other patients. 6 of the 43 patients with radiographic audit after 12 weeks sustained a subsequent fracture displacement of more than 5 mm. 4 patients underwent reoperation: 1 due to deep infection, 1 due to technical failure during osteosynthesis, 1 had a screw cut out, and 1 sustained a new fracture following a new fall. INTERPRETATION: Application of circumferential wires as a supplement to intramedullary nails in unstable trochanteric fractures is an option as it provides good primary reduction which, in most patients, is maintained over time-with no apparent increase in reoperation rate. Based on our results and on other reports, the use of circumferential wires does not appear to be harmful as sometimes claimed.

Can introduction of an uncemented, hydroxyapatite coated hemiarthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fractures be recommended?

The role of uncemented fully hydroxyapatite coated hemiarthroplasties for the treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures remains unclear. We investigated if complications, reoperations and mortality differed from that of cemented hemiarthroplasties. The study groups consisted of 78 cemented and 97 uncemented, hydroxyapatite coated hemiarthroplasties with minimum 1 year follow-up. The dislocation rate was 3% in both groups (p=0.84). Proximal femoral fracturing occurred in 1% in the cemented group and in 4% in the uncemented group (p=0.26). Reoperations were performed following 4% of procedures in the cemented group and following 2% of procedures in the uncemented group (p=0.48). Mortality rates did not differ statistically significant between groups. Outcomes were comparable. Introduction of an uncemented hydroxyapatite coated hemiarthroplasty for treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures can be recommended.