Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction and tibial tuberosity transfer can be used to successfully manage patellofemoral instability in the setting of trochlea dysplasia.

BACKGROUND: Management of patella instability remains a challenge particularly in the presence of trochlea dysplasia. The aim of this study is to assess the recurrence rates of those with patellar instability who have undergone a combined tibial tuberosity transfer (TTT) and medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLR) in the setting of trochlea dysplasia. METHODS: All skeletally mature patients who underwent combined TTT and MPFLR for recurrent patella instability were identified between January 2009 and December 2019. A retrospective review was conducted, with information regarding re-dislocation/subluxation and complications collected. RESULTS: Seventy patients with a mean age 25.3 years were identified and evaluated. Thirteen patients were found to have low-grade dysplasia (Dejour A), with 57 patients having high-grade dysplasia (Dejour B/C/D). No patients in the low,grade dysplasia group suffered a recurrence of their symptoms, with four in the high-grade group suffering episodes of re-dislocation/subluxation. Three patients subsequently underwent a trochleoplasty, with the other patient managed successfully non-operatively. There were a total of 13 complications in 11 patients. CONCLUSIONS: A combined procedure of MPFLR and TTT can be used to manage patellofemoral instability even in the setting of trochlea dysplasia with a low rate of recurrence. Trochlea dysplasia, however, remains an anatomical risk factor for recurrence and patients should be counselled accordingly. The anatomical risk factors should be assessed in all patients to allow for the development of the most appropriate management plan, of which this combined procedure represents a potentially successful option. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV (Case Series).

Prevalence and risk factors for re-interventions following reamed intramedullary tibia nailing.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to identify the prevalence and the risk factors for re-interventions following reamed intramedullary nailing (IMN) of tibial shaft fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed a prospectively populated data of adult patients that underwent reamed intramedullary nailing for stabilization of tibial shaft fractures over a period of three years. Exclusion criteria were immature patients, pathological and periarticular fractures. Data collected included patient demographics, mechanism of injury, open or closed injury pattern, ISS, perioperative complications, reintervention characteristics (time, cause, number), smoking habits, medical co-morbidities and progress to radiological fracture union. Fractures were classified according to AO/OTA system. The cohort of these patients was divided in two groups: Group 1 included the patients who healed uneventfully and Group 2 included the patients who underwent a re-intervention for the healing of the fracture. A logistic regression analysis model was used to assess the odds ratio (OR) of identified risk factors predicting the necessity of re-interventions. RESULTS: 181 (129 male) patients with a mean age of 37 (range 16-87) met the inclusion criteria. 30 patients were excluded due to inadequate follow up, leaving 151 patients for the study group. 119 patients were included in Group 1. 32 (21.2%) patients who had at least one re-intervention (range 1-3) were included in Group 2. The most common causes for re-intervention were aseptic non-union (31.3%) and removal of implants due to soft tissue irritation/anterior knee pain (31.3%), followed by early metalwork failure (12.5%), infected non-union (9.4%), correction of rotational deformities (9.4%) and canal intramedullary sepsis with evident fracture healing (6.3%). 29 (25.8%) from the study cohort patients sustained an open fracture and 8 of them underwent a re-intervention (20.5% of interventions). Incidence of fracture pattern 42-B, C was statistically significant greater in the reintervention (40.6%) compared to the non-re-intervention group (23.53%) (p = 0.026). Risk factors predicting the need for re-interventions included the type of fracture B, C (p = 0.026 OR: 2.528, range: 1.117-5.721) and increased alcohol consumption (p = 0.027/OR: 2.618, range: 1.116-6.141). CONCLUSION: Fracture pattern and alcohol abuse were highly predictive for re-interventions following reamed IM nailing for stabilization of acute tibial shaft fractures.

The use of buttress plates in the management of acetabular fractures with quadrilateral plate involvement: is it still a valid option?

PURPOSE: The primary aim of this study was to report on the mid-term outcomes after quadrilateral plate reconstruction of acetabular fractures using a buttress/spring plate through an ilioinguinal approach. METHODS: Between 2003 and 2011, 30 adult patients (25 males) with mean age 54 years (range 17-80) who underwent surgical fixation for an acetabular fracture and had minimum follow up of 24 months (mean 46.2, range 24-78.6) were retrospectively reviewed. Standard demographics, admission and hospitalization data (concomitant injuries, number of operative procedures, time to operating theatre, early and late complications) were correlated to the clinical (Harris Hip Score) and radiological (Matta Reduction Score and Matta Arthritis Score) outcome. RESULTS: Three patients underwent a Total Hip Replacement. Functional score was excellent in 17 (56.6 %), good in 4 (13.3 %), fair in 6 (20 %) and poor in 3 (10 %) cases. Surgery-related complications included two patients with temporary lateral femoral cutaneous palsy and three with heterotopic ossification. The quality of the postoperative reduction was associated to Harris Hip Score (p = 0.015) and postoperative arthritis (p = 0.010). Strong association was evident between age and both post-operative reduction (p = 0.010) and arthritis (p = 0.014). The presence of quadrilateral plate comminution and gull-sign were associated to poor post-operative reduction (p = 0.016) and low Harris Hip Score (p = 0.049) respectively. CONCLUSION: Quadrilateral plate reconstruction with a buttress plate though the ilioinguinal approach remains a valid method of fixation in acetabular surgery. Additional studies are needed to compare the efficiency of this method to new surgical approaches and fixation implants.

A cohort study on the incidence and outcome of pulmonary embolism in trauma and orthopedic patients.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to determine the incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) in trauma and orthopedic patients within a regional tertiary referral center and its association with the pattern of injury, type of treatment, co-morbidities, thromboprophylaxis and mortality. METHODS: All patients admitted to our institution between January 2010 and December 2011, for acute trauma or elective orthopedic procedures, were eligible to participate in this study. Our cohort was formed by identifying all patients with clinical features of PE who underwent Computed Tomography-Pulmonary Angiogram (CT-PA) to confirm or exclude the clinical suspicion of PE, within six months after the injury or the surgical procedure.Case notes and electronic databases were reviewed retrospectively to identify each patient's venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk factors, type of treatment, thromboprophylaxis and mortality. RESULTS: Out of 18,151 patients admitted during the study period only 85 (0.47%) patients developed PE (positive CT-PA) (24 underwent elective surgery and 61 sustained acute trauma). Of these, only 76% of the patients received thromboprophylaxis. Hypertension, obesity and cardiovascular disease were the most commonly identifiable risk factors. In 39% of the cases, PE was diagnosed during the in-hospital stay. The median time of PE diagnosis, from the date of injury or the surgical intervention was 23 days (range 1 to 312). The overall mortality rate was 0.07% (13/18,151), but for those who developed PE it was 15.29% (13/85). Concomitant deep venous thrombosis (DVT) was identified in 33.3% of patients. The presence of two or more co-morbidities was significantly associated with the incidence of mortality (unadjusted odds ratio (OR) = 3.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.34, 18.99), P = 0.034). Although there was also a similar clinical effect size for polytrauma injury on mortality (unadjusted OR = 1.90 (0.38, 9.54), P = 0.218), evidence was not statistically significant for this factor. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of VTE was comparable to previously reported rates, whereas the mortality rate was lower. Our local protocols that comply with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines in the UK appear to be effective in preventing VTE and reducing mortality in trauma and orthopedic patients.

Biomarkers predicting sepsis in polytrauma patients: Current evidence.

INTRODUCTION: Major trauma still represents one of the leading causes of death in the first four decades of life. Septic complications represent the predominant causes of late death (45% of overall mortality) in polytrauma patients. The ability of clinicians to early differentiate between systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and sepsis is demonstrated to improve clinical outcome and mortality. The identification of an "ideal" biomarker able to early recognize incoming septic complications in trauma patients is still a challenge for researchers. AIM: To evaluate the existing evidence regarding the role of biomarkers to predict or facilitate early diagnosis of sepsis in trauma patients, trying to compile some recommendations for the clinical setting. METHODS: An Internet-based search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases was performed using the search terms: "Biomarkers", "Sepsis" and "Trauma" in various combinations. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies Checklist (QUADAS). After data extraction, the level of evidence available for each bio-marker was rated and presented using the "best-evidence synthesis" method, in line with the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. RESULTS: Thirty studies were eligible for the final analysis: 13 case-control studies and 17 cohort studies. The "strong evidence" available demonstrated the potential use of procalcitonin as an early indicator of post-traumatic septic complications and reported the inability of c-reactive protein (CRP) to specifically identify infective complications. Moderate, conflicting and limited evidence are available for the other 31 biomarkers. CONCLUSION: Several biomarkers have been evaluated for predicting or making early diagnosis of sepsis in trauma patients. Current evidence does not support the use of a single biomarker in diagnosing sepsis. However, procalcitonin trend was found to be useful in early identification of post-traumatic septic course and its use is suggested (Recommendation Grade: B) in clinical practice.

Clinical outcomes after repair of quadriceps tendon rupture: a systematic review.

The existing evidence regarding the management of quadriceps tendon rupture remains obscure. The aim of the current review is to investigate the characteristics, the different techniques employed and to analyse the clinical outcomes following surgical repair of quadriceps tendon rupture. An Internet based search of the English literature of the last 25 years was carried out. Case reports and non-clinical studies were excluded. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Coleman Methodology Score. All data regarding mechanism and site of rupture, type of treatment, time elapsed between diagnosis and repair, patients' satisfaction, clinical outcome, return to pre-injury activities, complications and recurrence rates were extracted and analysed. Out of 474 studies identified, 12 met the inclusion criteria. The average of Coleman Methodology Score was 50.46/100. In total 319 patients were analysed with a mean age of 57 years (16-85). The mean time of follow-up was 47.5 months (3 months to 24 years). The most common mechanism of injury was simple fall (61.5%). Spontaneous ruptures were reported in 3.2% of cases. The most common sites of tear were noted between 1cm and 2 cm of the superior pole of the patella and, in the older people, at the osseotendinous junction. The most frequently used repair technique was patella drill holes (50% of patients). Simple sutures were used in mid-substance ruptures. Several reinforcement techniques were employed in case of poor quality or retraction of the torn ends of tendon. The affected limb was immobilised in a cast for a period of 3-10 weeks. Quadriceps muscular atrophy and muscle strength deficit were present in most of the cases. Worst results were noted in delayed repairs. Reported complications included heterotopic ossifications in 6.9% of patients, deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism in 2.5%, superficial infection in 1.2% and deep infection in 1.1%. It appears that the type of surgical repair does not influence the clinical results. The majority of the studies reported good or excellent ROM and return to the pre-injury activities. The overall rate of re-rupture was 2%.

Reaming Irrigator Aspirator system: early experience of its multipurpose use.

The evolution of contemporary intramedullary reaming systems has recently generated the Reamer Irrigator Aspirator system (RIA-Synthes®), which has progressively gained in popularity as well as in indications. The preliminary results of its use over the initial period of 18 months ata single tertiary referral centre were prospectively collected and are presented. The wide spectrum of RIA's indications have been exploited, including 7 patients with polytrauma that underwent acute femoral nailing, 8 with femoral intramedullary osteomyelitis, 9 with pathological lesions of the femoral shaft, as well as 18 patients where the RIA system has been used to harvest morselised autologous bone graft in the presence of recalcitrant atrophie non-unions and bone defects. Overall its use was proven safe and efficient, achieving aggressive medullary canal debridement, collection of adequate samples for further analysis in the infected and oncology cases, as well as impressive volumes of the osteoinductive and osteogenic reaming debris for grafting purposes. No pulmonary complications or evidence of the second hit sequelae were recorded in the polytrauma patient subgroup despite the presence of a high ISS Further controlled clinical studies should follow focused in all different applications of this reliable, user-friendly and impressively versatile system, to validate these preliminary results.