Predictors of first-year postoperative complications after fixation of low-energy ankle fractures: A single-center, retrospective cohort study of 663 consecutive fractures. / [Artículo traducido] Predictores de las complicaciones postoperatorias en el primer año tras la fijación de fracturas de tobillo de baja energía. Estudio de cohortes retrospectivo sobre 663 fracturas intervenidas consecutivamente en un único centro.

INTRODUCTION: Rotational ankle fractures are common, have diverse personalities and affect both robust and fragile patients. Postoperative complications are frequent, creating a sizeable economic burden. The primary purpose of this study was to expand current knowledge on predictors of postoperative complications after low-energy ankle fracture fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective single-center cohort study was completed of patients undergoing internal fixation OF low-energy ankle fractures. The primary outcome was first-year postoperative complications, classified as major (surgical) or minor (non-surgical). Data on patients, their injuries, and treatments were collected. To identify potential predictors of outcomes, logistic regression methods were used, with a backward-stepwise method used for model fitting. RESULTS: In total, 663 patients of median age 59 years were analysed. We found a high rate of complications (28.4%), with wound-healing issues and infections predominant. Overall, 14.8% had minor complications, while 13.6% required an unplanned reoperation. On multivariable analysis, the most consistent predictors of complications were older age (OR: 1.02 per year), longer operating time (3.32 per hour), and smoking (2.91). CONCLUSIONS: Older patients and smokers who sustain fractures requiring more complex surgery are at higher risk of postoperative complications.

Predictors of first-year postoperative complications after fixation of low-energy ankle fractures: A single-center, retrospective cohort study of 663 consecutive fractures.

INTRODUCTION: Rotational ankle fractures are common, have diverse personalities and affect both robust and fragile patients. Postoperative complications are frequent, creating a sizeable economic burden. The primary purpose of this study was to expand current knowledge on predictors of postoperative complications after low-energy ankle fracture fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective single-center cohort study was completed of patients undergoing internal fixation OF low-energy ankle fractures. The primary outcome was first-year postoperative complications, classified as major (surgical) or minor (non-surgical). Data on patients, their injuries, and treatments were collected. To identify potential predictors of outcomes, logistic regression methods were used, with a backward-stepwise method used for model fitting. RESULTS: In total, 663 patients of median age 59 years were analyzed. We found a high rate of complications (28.4%), with wound-healing issues and infections predominant. Overall, 14.8% had minor complications, while 13.6% required an unplanned reoperation. On multivariable analysis, the most consistent predictors of complications were older age (OR=1.02 per year), longer operating time (3.32 per hour), and smoking (2.91). CONCLUSIONS: Older patients and smokers who sustain fractures requiring more complex surgery are at higher risk of postoperative complications.

Femoral tunnel position in chronic anterior cruciate ligament rupture reconstruction: randomized controlled trial comparing anatomic, biomechanical and clinical outcomes.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes between anteromedial (AM) and transtibial (TT) femoral tunnel positioning techniques for the reconstruction of chronic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It is a randomized prospective study of 106 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction because of a chronic ACL rupture (55 AMT, 51 TT). Minimum follow-up was 2 years. Demographic, clinical and radiological data, including MRI grafts' anatomy and biomechanics intraoperative navigation system evaluation, were analyzed. Also, International Knee Documentation Committee score, Tegner Knee score, Lysholm Knee Score, Short-Form Health Survey and 4-point Likert Scale were evaluated. RESULTS: The AM technique achieves a more anatomic graft than TT technique in both sagittal and coronal plane (6° approximately). Immediate postoperative biomechanical evaluation of the graft showed both techniques significantly improved translational and rotational laxity (p = 0.000). AMT showed superiority only in controlling internal rotation (p = 0.016). Both techniques reported significant improvement in all evaluated score scales, without differences between techniques. Independently of the femoral tunnel positioning technique, patients with cartilage lesion had worse clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that AMT achieves a more anatomical and biomechanically accurate graft allowing better control over internal rotation laxity; however, this does not lead to better clinical outcomes if we compare with TT in the reconstruction of chronic ACL rupture. Patients with chronic ACL rupture and cartilage lesion had worse clinical outcomes, independently the femoral tunnel positioning technique.

Outcomes of posterior cruciate ligament tibial avulsion treated with staple fixation: stress TELOS X-ray evaluation.

PURPOSE: Tibial-side avulsion injuries of the posterior cruciate ligament are rare injuries. In displaced fracture, the reduction and fixation is the treatment of choice, although the optimal surgical management has not yet been determined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical, functional, and radiological outcome after an open reduction and internal fixation with staples of a posterior cruciate ligament tibial avulsion. METHODS: A historical cohort of patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation with staple due to a posterior cruciate ligament tibial avulsion were reviewed. Minimum follow-up was 2 years. Demographic, clinical, and radiological data, including stress X-ray, were analyzed. Also, International Knee Documentation Committee Score, Tegner Knee Score, Lysholm Knee Score, Short-Form Health Survey, and four-point Likert scale were evaluated. RESULTS: Four males (57%) and 3 females (43%) were included in the final analysis. The mean age was 39 years (range 27-54). All patients had a fracture union. No implant migration was observed. Postoperative posterior drawer, reverse pivot shift, and varus/valgus stress were negative. In stress TELOS X-ray, no statistically significant differences were observed between the postoperative and contralateral knee. All evaluated scores had good or excellent results. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides further evidence that the use of an open reduction and internal fixation with a staple could be a simple and reliable management for posterior cruciate ligament avulsion fractures of the tibia. In our study, the postoperative stress TELOS X-ray analyze showed a correct fixation and biomechanical function of the posterior cruciate ligament.