ABSTRACT
Objective@#Emergency department (ED) overcrowding is a global issue that negatively impacts the clinical outcome. Through the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic era, overcrowding of ED isolated territory (isolation bed) was aggravated. This study analyzed overcrowding indices of ED isolation beds during the COVID-19 pandemic. @*Methods@#This study was a single-center, retrospective, observational study. The study analyzed 34,925 patients who visited the ED during the COVID-19 pandemic from April 2021 to August 2022. Patients who were treated in isolation beds and regular beds were compared. Among the patients using isolation beds, patients who stayed longer than 720 minutes were also classified and analyzed. @*Results@#During the analysis period, 4,479 and 34,943 patients were treated in the ED isolation bed and ED regular bed, respectively. The overcrowding indices (general ward admission rate, intensive care unit admission rate, ED-length of stay, transfer rate, mortality rate, prolonged ED stay patient ratio) of the isolation beds were significantly higher than those of the ED regular bed (P<0.05). The prolonged ED stay-patient ratio of isolation beds and regular beds was affected by the number of COVID-19 patients (regular bed, r=0.617 and P=0.01; isolation bed, r=0.525 and P=0.03). The average ED-length of stay of isolation beds was longer than that of the ED regular beds. One hundred and forty-five patients were classified as prolonged ED stay patients. Their time from the decision point to the discharge point comprised a higher rate with an average of 76.52%. @*Conclusion@#ED isolation beds are more vulnerable to infectious disease outbreaks. A proper medical policy and arrangement management system that can flexibly deal with disaster emergencies are required
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Jumping off a bridge is one method of suicide. In a recent report, out of the 37 patients with cardiac arrest after drowning, 5 (36%) patients suffered severe traumatic injuries. The objective of this study was to report these injuries, without cardiac arrest, in patients after jumping off a bridge with the purpose of suicide. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all patients admitted to the emergency department in a tertiary care hospital after drowning in the Han River between 1997 and 2012. We analyzed the results of imaging studies. Each injury was described as one of the six body regions, similar to the method of the Injury Severity Score. RESULTS: A total of 469 patients were admitted to the emergency department from drowning. Sixty-six patients had jumped off a bridge with the purpose of suicide. Forty patients experienced cardiac arrest. In cardiac arrest patients, 25 patients (62.5%) underwent radiologic examinations. Only 2 patients (5.0%) received damage on the cervical spine and face. All non-cardiac arrest patients underwent imaging studies. Nine patients (34.6%) showed evidence of injuries. Most injuries occurred in the chest; four patients suffered the following injuries: rib fracture, pneumothorax, pneumomedistinum, and thoracic spine fracture. One patient had abdominal damage, an intra-abdominal hematoma. Last one patient suffered an injury to the chest and abdomen. CONCLUSION: In drowning patients with the purpose of suicide, variable damage could not be ruled out. It is especially not confined to a specific area, and damage to various parts of the body should be considered.
Subject(s)
Humans , Abdomen , Body Regions , Drowning , Emergency Service, Hospital , Heart Arrest , Hematoma , Injury Severity Score , Methods , Multiple Trauma , Pneumothorax , Retrospective Studies , Rib Fractures , Rivers , Spine , Suicide , Tertiary Healthcare , ThoraxABSTRACT
Synthetic cannabinoids are one of most abused new psychoactive substances. The recreational use of abused drug has aroused serious concerns about the consequences of these drugs on infection. However, the effects of synthetic cannabinoid on resistance to tetanus toxin are not fully understood yet. In the present study, we aimed to determine if the administration of synthetic cannabinoids increase the susceptibility to tetanus toxin-induced motor behavioral deficit and functional changes in cerebellar neurons in mice. Furthermore, we measured T lymphocytes marker levels, such as CD8 and CD4 which against tetanus toxin. JWH-210 administration decreased expression levels of T cell activators including cluster of differentiation (CD) 3ε, CD3γ, CD74p31, and CD74p41. In addition, we demonstrated that JWH-210 induced motor impairment and decrement of vesicle-associated membrane proteins 2 levels in the cerebellum of mice treated with tetanus toxin. Furthermore, cerebellar glutamatergic neuronal homeostasis was hampered by JWH-210 administration, as evidenced by increased glutamate concentration levels in the cerebellum. These results suggest that JWH-210 may increase the vulnerability to tetanus toxin via the regulation of immune function.
Subject(s)
Animals , Mice , Cannabinoids , Cerebellar Diseases , Cerebellum , Glutamic Acid , Homeostasis , Immunosuppression Therapy , Neurons , R-SNARE Proteins , T-Lymphocytes , Tetanus , Tetanus ToxinABSTRACT
Although lisdexamfetamine is used as a recreational drug, little research exists regarding its potential for dependence or its precise mechanisms of action. This study aims to evaluate the psychoactivity and dependence profile of lisdexamfetamine using conditioned place preference and self-administration paradigms in rodents. Additionally, biochemical techniques are used to assess alterations in the dopamine levels in striatal synaptosomes following administration of lisdexamfetamine. Lisdexamfetamine increased both conditioned place preference and self-administration. Moreover, after administration of the lisdexamfetamine, dopamine levels in the striatal synaptosomes were significantly increased. Although some modifications should be made to the analytical methods, performing high performance liquid chromatography studies on synaptosomes can aid in predicting dependence liability when studying new psychoactive substances in the future. Collectively, lisdexamfetamine has potential for dependence possible via dopaminergic pathway.
Subject(s)
Chromatography, Liquid , Dopamine , In Vitro Techniques , Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate , Rodentia , SynaptosomesABSTRACT
Although lisdexamfetamine is used as a recreational drug, little research exists regarding its potential for dependence or its precise mechanisms of action. This study aims to evaluate the psychoactivity and dependence profile of lisdexamfetamine using conditioned place preference and self-administration paradigms in rodents. Additionally, biochemical techniques are used to assess alterations in the dopamine levels in striatal synaptosomes following administration of lisdexamfetamine. Lisdexamfetamine increased both conditioned place preference and self-administration. Moreover, after administration of the lisdexamfetamine, dopamine levels in the striatal synaptosomes were significantly increased. Although some modifications should be made to the analytical methods, performing high performance liquid chromatography studies on synaptosomes can aid in predicting dependence liability when studying new psychoactive substances in the future. Collectively, lisdexamfetamine has potential for dependence possible via dopaminergic pathway.
Subject(s)
Chromatography, Liquid , Dopamine , In Vitro Techniques , Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate , Rodentia , SynaptosomesABSTRACT
The spinal cord is part of the central nervous system, and its caudal end is named as the conus medullaris. Many researchers have reported the tip level of the conus medullaris by magnetic resonance imaging studies; others by cadaver dissection. The tip level of magnetic resonance imaging studies seemed to be higher than that of cadaver studies. We evaluated the tip level the conus medullaris with magnetic resonance imaging and cadaver dissection in Korean adult population. MR data were scanned with T1-weighted, mid-sagittal magnetic resonance imaging of 248 living persons (mean age, 42.3±16.0 years; range, 12-85 years) and cadaver data were collected by dissections of 118 cadavers (mean age, 56.0±14.9 years; range, 16-94 years). The mean level of conus tip was found to be at the middle third of 1st lumbar vertebra (range, lower third T12 - lower third L2) from magnetic resonance imaging study and the upper third of 2nd lumbar vertebra (range, lower third T12 - lower third L3) from cadaver dissection study. The tip level of conus medullaris from magnetic resonance imaging study was higher than that from cadaver dissection study (p<0.05).
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Cadaver , Central Nervous System , Conus Snail , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Spinal Cord , SpineABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to present three-dimensional (3D) structural characteristics of the mandible in the hemifacial microsomia. The mandible has six distinct functional units, and its architecture is the sum of balanced growth of each functional unit and surrounding matrix. METHODS: In order to characterize the mandibular 3D architecture of hemifacial microsomia, we analyzed the mandibular functional units of four hemifacial microsomia patients using the 3D reconstructed computed tomography (CT) images. And we compared the functional unit size between affected and non-affected side. RESULTS: The length of condyle and angle showed significant differences between affected and non-affected sides. However, the length of mandibular body showed insignificant differences. The size differences between affected and non-affected side were observed at the condyle, angle, and body in descending order. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study suggests that the main etiopathogenic units are condyle and angle in the hemifacial microsomia mandible. Further investigation with the increased number of subjects will be helpful to establish treatment modality by etiopathogenic targeting of hemifacial microsomia.
Subject(s)
Humans , Goldenhar Syndrome , MandibleABSTRACT
Sibutramine is an anorectic that has been banned since 2010 due to cardiovascular safety issues. However, counterfeit drugs or slimming products that include sibutramine are still available in the market. It has been reported that illegal sibutramine-contained pharmaceutical products induce cardiovascular crisis. However, the mechanism underlying sibutramine-induced cardiovascular adverse effect has not been fully evaluated yet. In this study, we performed cardiovascular safety pharmacology studies of sibutramine systemically using by hERG channel inhibition, action potential duration, and telemetry assays. Sibutramine inhibited hERG channel current of HEK293 cells with an IC50 of 3.92 muM in patch clamp assay and increased the heart rate and blood pressure (76 Deltabpm in heart rate and 51 DeltammHg in blood pressure) in beagle dogs at a dose of 30 mg/kg (per oral), while it shortened action potential duration (at 10 muM and 30 muM, resulted in 15% and 29% decreases in APD50, and 9% and 17% decreases in APD90, respectively) in the Purkinje fibers of rabbits and had no effects on the QTc interval in beagle dogs. These results suggest that sibutramine has a considerable adverse effect on the cardiovascular system and may contribute to accurate drug safety regulation.
Subject(s)
Animals , Dogs , Rabbits , Action Potentials , Blood Pressure , Cardiovascular System , Counterfeit Drugs , Heart Rate , HEK293 Cells , Inhibitory Concentration 50 , Pharmaceutical Preparations , Pharmacology , Purkinje Fibers , TelemetryABSTRACT
Drug metabolism mostly occurs in the liver. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) is a drug-metabolizing enzyme that is responsible for many important drug metabolism reactions. Recently, the US FDA and EU EMA have suggested that CYP enzyme induction can be measured by both enzymatic activity and mRNA expression. However, these experiments are time-consuming and their inter-assay variability can lead to misinterpretations of the results. To resolve these problems and establish a more powerful method to measure CYP induction, we determined CYP induction by using luminescent assay. Luminescent CYP assays link CYP enzyme activity to firefly luciferase luminescence technology. In this study, we measured the induction of CYP isozymes (1A2, 2B6, 2C9, and 3A4) in cryopreserved human hepatocytes (HMC424, 478, and 493) using a luminometer. We then examined the potential induction abilities (unknown so far) of mesalazine, a drug for colitis, and mosapride citrate, which is used as an antispasmodic drug. The results showed that mesalazine promotes CYP2B6 and 3A4 activities, while mosapride citrate promotes CYP1A2, 2B6, and 3A4 activities. Luminescent CYP assays offer rapid and safe advantages over LC-MS/MS and qRT-PCR methods. Furthermore, luminescent CYP assays decrease the interference between the optical properties of the test compound and the CYP substrates. Therefore, luminescent CYP assays are less labor intensive, rapid, and can be used as robust tools for high-throughput CYP screening during early drug discovery.
Subject(s)
Humans , Citric Acid , Colitis , Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2 , Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System , Cytochromes , Drug Discovery , Enzyme Induction , Fireflies , Hepatocytes , Isoenzymes , Liver , Luciferases , Luminescence , Luminescent Measurements , Mass Screening , Mesalamine , Metabolism , RNA, MessengerABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of distal radius fractures in a fixed-angle volar locking plate group and variable-angle volar locking plate group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-one patients observed at least 6 months after surgery were included in this retrospective study. We used the range of motion, visual analogue scale score, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire score, and radiologic findings to measure the clinical results. RESULTS: No differences in clinical results or radiologic results were noted between the fixed-angle volar locking plate group and variable-angle volar locking plate group. CONCLUSION: We believe that it is important to minimize complications by using appropriate screws and plates according to the fracture type, though no differences in the surgical outcome were noted between the fixed-angle volar locking plate group and variable-angle volar locking plate group with distal radius fracture.
Subject(s)
Humans , Arm , Hand , Surveys and Questionnaires , Radius , Radius Fractures , Range of Motion, Articular , Retrospective Studies , ShoulderABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Recent randomized phase III trial by the Breast Cancer International Research Group (BCIRG 001) showed that docetaxel plus doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (TAC) is superior to fluorouracil plus doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (FAC) as adjuvant chemotherapy for node-positive operable breast cancer. Unfortunately, TAC was clearly more toxic than FAC not only with respect to neutropenic fever events, but also with respect to many extrahematological side effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity and tolerability of Korean patients with breast cancer treated with TAC. METHODS: This study was conducted on 80 patients with breast cancer who underwent primary surgery at the Department of Surgery in Soonchunhyang University (4 affiliated hospitals) from October 2005 to October 2008. The patients received 480 courses consisting of TAC (75/50/500 mg/m2, every 3 weeks for 6 cycles) without prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Toxicity was graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria version 3.0. RESULTS: The main toxicities were hematologic (neutropenia grade 3/4 in 98.8% of patients and 92.3% of cycles; febrile neutropenia in 42.5% of patients and 16.0% of cycles). No cases of septic death occurred. The peak time of occurrence for febrile neutropenia was 7-10 days after receiving chemotherapy (mean duration, 2.05 days). Severe nonhematologic adverse events were as follows: myalgia (30.0%), neurotoxicity (17.5%), fatigue (16.3%), stomatitis (12.5%), and nausea (11.3%). CONCLUSION: An adjuvant TAC regimen without prophylactic G-CSF was tolerable in Korean patients with breast cancer. Although most of the patients developed neutropenia, the nonhematologic toxicities (cardiac toxicity) were tolerable. Further studies on prophylactic G-CSF use to assess the contribution to reduced hematologic toxicities are required in Korean patients with breast cancer.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse ReactionsABSTRACT
Mineral metabolism abnormalities, such as low 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) and elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH), are common at even higher glomerular filtration rate than previously described. Levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) show an inverse correlation with those of intact PTH and phosphorus. Studies of the general population found much higher all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality for patients with lower levels of vitamin D; this finding suggests that low 25(OH)D level is a risk factor and predictive of CV events in patients without chronic kidney disease (CKD). 25(OH)D/1,25(OH)2D becomes deficient with progression of CKD. Additionally, studies of dialysis patients have found an association of vitamin D deficiency with increased mortality. Restoration of the physiology of vitamin D receptor activation should be essential therapy for CKD patients.
Subject(s)
Humans , Dialysis , Glomerular Filtration Rate , Kidney , Kidney Diseases , Parathyroid Hormone , Phosphorus , Receptors, Calcitriol , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic , Risk Factors , Vitamin D , Vitamin D Deficiency , VitaminsABSTRACT
Lipoma arborescens is a very rare disease in which adipocytes form a synovial villous lipoma. In addition, it has the potential for dysplastic proliferation. Hypertrophic synovial lipoma is stimulated by movement of joints, which results in joint pain, effusion, limitation of joint movement and swelling. A definite cause has not yet been proven, but trauma, rheumatic arthritis, inflammation and degenerative change are believed to be possible causes. There have been reports of lipoma arborescens in several joints, including the knee joint and elbow joint. However, it is very rare to find this disease in hip joints. In fact, only one such case has been reported in Korea. We report here on a rare case of lipoma arborescens in the hip joint along with a review of the relevant literature.
Subject(s)
Adipocytes , Arthralgia , Elbow Joint , Hip , Hip Joint , Inflammation , Joints , Knee Joint , Korea , Lipoma , Rare Diseases , Rheumatic FeverABSTRACT
The long-term clinical benefits of vascular access blood flow (VABF) measurements in hemodialysis (HD) patients have been controversial. We evaluated whether early VABF may predict long-term vascular access (VA) patency in incident HD patients. We enrolled 57 patients, of whom 27 were starting HD with arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) and 30 with arteriovenous grafts (AVGs). The patients' VABF was measured monthly with the ultrasound dilution technique over the course of the first six months after the VA operation. During the 20.4-month observational period, a total of 40 VA events in 23 patients were documented. The new VA events included 13 cases of stenosis and 10 thrombotic events. The lowest quartile of average early VABF was related to the new VA events. After adjusting for covariates such as gender, age, hypertension, diabetes, VA type, hemoglobin levels, body mass index, parathyroid hormone, and calcium-phosphorus product levels, the hazard ratio of VABF (defined as <853 mL/min in AVF or <830 mL/min in AVG) to incident VA was 3.077 (95% confidence interval, 1.127-8.395; P=0.028). There were no significant relationships between early VABF parameters and VA thrombosis. It is concluded that early VABF may predict long-term VA patency, particularly VA stenosis.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Blood Vessel Prosthesis/statistics & numerical data , Graft Occlusion, Vascular/diagnosis , Graft Survival , Indicator Dilution Techniques/statistics & numerical data , Kidney Function Tests/statistics & numerical data , Korea/epidemiology , Prevalence , Prognosis , Renal Dialysis/statistics & numerical data , Reproducibility of Results , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Sensitivity and Specificity , Treatment Outcome , Vascular PatencyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic lateral ankle instability also have peroneal tendinopathy often. However, preoperative MRIs of these patients are vague in many cases. Our study was performed to see the reliability of MRI findings of peroneal tendinopathy in patients with chronic lateral ankle instability. METHODS: MRI images for 82 patients who had chronic lateral ankle instability, and had received surgical treatment between March 2006 and November 2009 were compared with impressions from operating rooms. The mean age of patients was 36.4 years (range, 15 to 64 years), 82 ankles were studied, and patients with rheumatoid diseases were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Of the 82 cases, 26 were true positives, 38 true negatives, 13 false positives and 5 false negatives. Of 39 cases of peroneal tendinopathy diagnosed from MRI, 14 had peroneal tendon partial tears, 15 tenosynovitis, 3 dislocations, 17 low-lying muscle bellies, and 6 peroneus quartus muscles. Of 31 cases of peroneal tendinopathy observed in surgery 11 had peroneal tendon partial tears, 4 tenosynovitis, 5 dislocations, 12 low-lying muscle belliess, and 1 peroneus quartus muscle. Sensitivity and specificity of peroneal tendinopathy were 83.9% and 74.5%, respectively. Positive predictive value was 66.7%. Negative predictive value was 88.4%. Accuracy rate was 78.0%. CONCLUSIONS: MRI is a useful diagnostic tool for detecting peroneal tendinopathy in patients with chronic lateral ankle instability. However, MRI is vague in many cases. Therefore, a thorough delicate physical examination and careful observation is needed.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Ankle Joint/surgery , Chronic Disease , Joint Instability/complications , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Observer Variation , Predictive Value of Tests , Sensitivity and Specificity , Tendinopathy/diagnosis , Tendon Injuries/complicationsABSTRACT
High-energy injury, as traffic accident or fall down, can cause fracture of femur head and posterior dislocation of hip joint which is accompanied with ipsilateral acetabulum fracture or femur neck fracture. But the case that femur head fracture and posterior dislocation of the hip joint coincide with ipsilateral intertrochanteric fracture of proximal femur is so uncommon that reports of the case is very rare. We hereby are to report the experienced and treated-cases of femur head fracture and posterior dislocation of the hip joint that is accompanied with ipsilateral intertrochanteric fracture.
Subject(s)
Accidents, Traffic , Acetabulum , Joint Dislocations , Femoral Neck Fractures , Femur , Femur Head , Head , Hip , Hip Dislocation , Hip JointABSTRACT
In patients complained of lateral ankle pain, the peroneal tendinopathy is frequently overlooked because relatively rare. In this study, types of lesion, frequency, and clinical results were analyzed in patients with peroneal tendinopathy associated in chronic ankle instability. This study reviewed the result of 22 patients. The average age was 35.1 years with an average follow-up of 20.1 months. Modified Brostrom procedure was done and peroneal tendon was explored. Peroneal tendinopathy was composed of 9 tear, 2 dislocation, 4 tendinitis, 7 low-lying muscle belly, 1 peroneal quartus. Depending on the type of peroneal tendinopathies, tubularization, groove deepening and retinaculum repair, and debridement were done. All patients had a history of repeated sprains, positive anterior drawer test, lateral ankle pain. After the last follow-up, the visual analogue scale score and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score were evaluated. Also, almost of all patients were satisfied and anterior drawer test was improved. If the patients have chronic ankle instability and pain around the retromalleolar area, we keep in mind that the lesions are peroneal tendinopathy.
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Ankle , Debridement , Joint Dislocations , Follow-Up Studies , Foot , Muscles , Sprains and Strains , Tendinopathy , TendonsABSTRACT
Most of the patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) by Hantaviruses recover completely. However, the prevalence of hypopituitarism as sequel of HFRS may be approximately 10%. However, it is rare for hyponatremia to present as a manifestation of hypopituitarism due to HFRS. A 42-year-old Asian woman presented with anorexia, nausea, and vomiting. She had a history of HFRS 7 years ago. During her first hospital admission, her serum sodium was 103 mmol/L. The rapid adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test showed no abnormal findings suggesting the possibility of adrenal insufficiency. After she underwent fluid therapy for 5 days, her serum sodium level was slightly increased to 131 mmol/L, and her clinical symptoms were improving. The next day after she was discharged, she suffered from the same symptoms and was admitted to our hospital again. On the day of her second admission, her serum sodium was 117 mmol/L. A combined pituitary function test showed diminished function of the anterior pituitary gland, which led to secondary adrenal insufficiency. Magnetic resonance imaging findings of her sella were compatible with empty sella turcica. After the replacement of prednisolone, her serum sodium levels returned to normal. Pituitary dysfunction should be included in the differential diagnosis of severe hyponatremia, especially in patients who suffered HFRS. This case also suggests that the rapid ACTH stimulation test has limitations with regard to the differential diagnosis of primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Adrenal Insufficiency , Adrenocorticotropic Hormone , Anorexia , Asian People , Diagnosis, Differential , Empty Sella Syndrome , Fluid Therapy , Orthohantavirus , Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome , Hyponatremia , Hypopituitarism , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Nausea , Pituitary Function Tests , Pituitary Gland, Anterior , Prednisolone , Prevalence , Sodium , VomitingABSTRACT
The triplane fracture has been described as a fracture of the distal tibial epiphysis occurring across three planes-sagittal, transverse and coronal. The characteristic pattern of fusion of distal tibial epiphysis explains the special configuration of the fragments in the triplane fracture. According to Dias.Tachdjian classification, triplane fracture is classified two part fracture, three part fracture, four part fracture and two part fracture with extension to the medial malleolus. Among four types, two part triplane fracture with extension to the medial malleolus is a relatively rare injury and generally is not treated by closed reduction. Such fractures should have an anatomic reduction and adequate fixation to restore the joint congruity and obtain an anatomic reduction of the growth plate to prevent a future growth deformity. This is usually best accomplished with an open reduction and screw fixation or k-wire fixation. We experienced two part triplane fracture with extension to medial malleolus and check the CT to define the extent of the injury completely. And then we underwent open reduction and screw fixation for the fracture. As a result, we present four cases of two part triplane fracture with extension with review of related literatures.
Subject(s)
Congenital Abnormalities , Epiphyses , Growth Plate , JointsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficiency of the minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) with locking compression plate (LCP) for distal tibial metaphyseal intra-articular fracture compared with extra-articular fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From February 2006 to June 2008, 21 patients with distal tibia metaphyseal intra-articular fracture and 20 patients with extra-articular fracture were treated operatively by MIPPO technique with LCP and followed for at least one year. In the group with intra-articular fracture, mean age was 48.85 years old and a mean follow-up was 15 months. In the other group with extra-articular fracture, mean age was 52.35 years old and a mean follow-up was 14.5 months. The type of fracture was evaluated using the AO/OTA classification and open-fractures were according to the Gustilo-And gron classification. Radiologic evaluation with fracture healing and tibial alignment, clinical evaluation with Olerud and Molander ankle score and restriction of motion were done for treatment. RESULTS: According to AO/OTA classification, There were 21 type A, 15 type B, 5 type C. Average union time of the intra-articular fracture (type B, C) was 18.7 weeks. Average union time of the extra-articular fracture (type A) was 17.1 weeks. All fractures were healed without malunion. There were no difference of mean restriction angle between intra-articular fracture (ankle dorsiflexion was 3.57 degree, plantar-flexion was 5.95 degree) and extra-articular fracture (ankle dorsiflexion was 3 degree, plantar-flexion was 3.75 degree). There were no difference of Olerud and Molander ankle score between them as a mean score of intra-articular and extra-articular was 89.25, 91.25 each other. As a complication, there were 3 case of skin necrosis, 8 case of discomfortable skin tenting by plate and 1 superficial infection, but could be healed by conservative care. CONCLUSION: MIPPO technique, combined articular reduction, with LCP of distal tibial metaphyseal fracture was a good method with high functional recovery.