Characteristics and proposed classification system of posterior pilon fractures.

Posterior pilon fractures involve the medial malleolus (MM). Our purpose was to define the characteristics of posterior pilon fractures, and propose a classification system based on fracture morphology and type of management.The records of patients with posterior pilon fractures treated from 2011 to 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. The injury mechanism, fracture morphology, surgical approach, and follow-up results were reviewed and analyzed. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of PLA Army General Hospital.Thirty-six patients, 18 males and 18 females (mean age: 48.9 years) were included in the study. Four characteristics were used to define posterior pilon fractures. A simple posterolateral approach or a combined posterolateral and posteromedial approach was used for reduction and fixation in all patients. The mean follow-up time was 28.2 months, and at the end of follow-up, the mean American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Score (AOFAS) was 82.5 points (range: 35-100 points). Based on injury mechanism and fracture morphology, we classified posterior pilon fractures into 3 types that suggest the optimal surgical approach: type I, a single complete fracture fragment; type II, a posterior malleolus fracture with 2 subtypes; type III, a posterior malleolus fracture associated with complete MM fracture with 2 subtypes.The proposed classification system based on injury mechanism and fracture morphology can guide the surgical approach to maximize outcomes.

Plasma mitochondrial DNA levels were independently associated with lung injury in elderly hip fracture patients.

INTRODUCTION: Hip fracture in the elderly can induce systemic inflammatory response (SIRS) and lung injury which increases the risk of lung infection and death. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) plays a role in SIRS and lung injury in patients with multi-trauma, and also in patients with hip fractures. This study evaluated the potential value of plasma mtDNA in the early prognosis of lung injury in elderly fracture patients. METHODS: This study enrolled 156 elderly patients with intertrochanteric fracture. Plasma mtDNA, IL-6, IL-10, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels were measured at admission. Sixty-one and 31 patients were diagnosed with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and lung injury, respectively. RESULTS: Plasma mtDNA levels were higher in hip fracture patients compared to healthy controls (P<0.001) and significantly higher in the lung injury subgroup compared to the lung injury absent subgroup (P<0.001). MtDNA levels were correlated with the SIRS score (r=0.446, P<0.001), IL-6 (r=0.506, P<0.001), IL-10 (r=0.523, P<0.001), and PGE2 (r=0.360, P<0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that plasma mtDNA, IL-6, PGE2 and SIRS score were independent predictors of the risk of lung injury. CONCLUSION: Plasma mtDNA release induced by hip fracture in elderly patients, might be an early predictor of lung injury in these patients.