[Preferences of surgeons in total knee and hip arthroplasty, and operating room facilities in Turkey: a survey]. / Türkiye'de total diz ve kalça artroplastisinde cerrahlarin tercihleri ve ameliyathane olanaklari: Bir anket.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the pre- and postoperative approaches of orthopedic surgeons and operative room environment facilities in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) in Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data for this study were collected through a questionnaire completed by 234 physicians randomly identified from the database of Turkish Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology. The questionnaire comprised 19 questions investigating the operative room environment, demographic characteristics of surgeons, laboratory and radiologic analyses required by surgeons in pre- and postoperative patient evaluation, and management of postoperative complications. RESULTS: In Turkey, 48% of the operating rooms where TKA and THA are performed lack laminar airflow, while 35% lack HEPA filters. Only 20.5% of surgeons continue antibiotic prophylaxis for postoperative 24 hours. Low molecular weight heparins are the most preferred anticoagulant (86%) for thromboembolism prophylaxis. While all surgeons perform primary TKA or THA, only 63.7% perform revision TKA or THA. Of the surgeons, 84.6% do not recommended antibiotic prophylaxis before dental or urologic procedures in patients who were performed TKA or THA. CONCLUSION: In Turkey, although consensus has been built on many issues regarding TKA and THA, different approaches are adopted based on academic position, duration of specialty, and employer institution.

Segmental bone loss in pediatric lower extremity fractures: indications and results of bone transport.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we evaluated the results of external bone transport, which was applied to 11 patients with traumatic bone loss who had not completed their bone development. METHODS: The average age of the 9 male and 2 female patients was 10.6 (range, 8 to 16) years. Eight of the defects were located in the tibia, whereas the other 3 were in the femur. The average defect was 5.4 (range, 4.5 to 8.5) cm. External bone transport was applied in the early period in 7 patients, whereas in 4 patients it was performed due to nonunion. Bifocal osteosynthesis and single osteotomy were performed in 2 patients with type B2 nonunion. Compression to the nonunion region and lengthening in the osteotomy region were applied. In 2 patients with type B1 nonunion, and the other 9 patients who had external bone transport, the gap was eliminated by bifocal osteosynthesis, single osteotomy, and bone transport to the osteotomy line. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 21 (range, 13 to 48) months. Complete union was achieved in all patients without any bone operation or graft application. No refracture was observed after the removal of the external fixator, and the average hospitalization time was 16 (range, 7 to 65) days. The average external fixation time was 4.2 (range, 3.5 to 5.5) months, and the mean external fixator index was 0.8 months (23 d/cm). The mean bone healing time was 5.1 (range, 4.6 to 6) months. CONCLUSIONS: To initially consider the open fractures with true or in situ bone loss in children as "anticipated nonunion," and determine the treatment strategies regarding this fact, may prevent nonunion and shorten the healing period. Bone transport in the treatment of traumatic bone defects in children is an easy biological procedure, with lower complications but higher success ratios. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-therapeutic.