Pediatric Type I Open Both Bone Forearm Fractures: Predicting Failure of Nonoperative Management.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, nonoperative treatment of pediatric type I open both bone forearm fractures (OBBFFs) with bedside irrigation, antibiotics, closed reduction, and casting has yielded low infection rates. However, risk factors for failure of type I OBBFF closed reduction have not been well described. Our purpose was to describe management of patients with type I OBBFFs at our institution and determine what factors are associated with failure of closed reduction in this population. METHODS: This was a review of patients between 5 and 15 years of age who received initial nonoperative management for type I OBBFFs at one institution between 2015 and 2021. Primary outcome was success or failure of nonoperative management (defined as progression to surgical management). Secondary outcomes included infections, compartment syndromes, and neuropraxias. Other variables of interest were demographic information, prereduction and postreduction translation and angulation of the radius and ulna, cast index, and antibiotic administration. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients (67.7% male) with 62 type I OBBFFs were included in this study. Following initial nonoperative management, 55 injuries (88.7%) were successfully treated in casts, while the remaining 7 (11.3%) required surgical intervention following loss of acceptable reduction in cast. Median cast index (0.84, IQR 0.8 to 0.9 vs. 0.75, IQR 0.7-0.8, P =0.020) and postreduction radius translation on anteroposterior films (32.0%, IQR 17.0% to 40.0% vs. 5.0%, IQR 0.0% to 26.0%, P =0.020) were higher among those who failed nonoperative management. Multivariable logistic regression models identified increased odds of failure for every SD (0.7) increase in cast index (OR 3.78, P =0.023, 95% CI: 1.4-14.3) and 25% increase in postreduction radius translation on anteroposterior films (OR 7.39, P =0.044, 95% CI 1.2-70.4). No infections or compartment syndromes and 2 transient ulnar neuropraxias occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Closed reduction of type I OBBFFs was successful in 88.7% of cases. There were no infections after nonoperative management. Increases in cast index of 0.7 and postreduction radius translation on anteroposterior radiographs of 25% were associated with increased likelihood of failure, thus requiring surgery; age was not. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-retrospective comparative study.

The Frequency of Mediastinal Injury in Acute Posterior Sternoclavicular Dislocations: A Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Acute posterior sternoclavicular dislocations (APSCD) are rare injuries that historically have prompted concern for injury to the great vessels and other mediastinal structures from initial trauma or subsequent treatment, resulting in the recommendation that a thoracic or vascular surgeon be present or available during operative treatment. The objectives of the study were to characterize the demographic, clinical, and radiographic characteristics of a large series of APSCDs in skeletally immature patients and to describe the rate and nature of any vascular or mediastinal complications that occurred during treatment. METHODS: Following Institutional Review Board approval, records of consecutive patients under 25 years of age treated for APSCD were collected from each of 6 participating centers. Only acute injuries (sustained fewer than 10 days before presentation) were included. Patient demographics, injury mechanism, associated mediastinal injuries, and need for thoracic/vascular surgery were recorded. Mediastinal structures injured or compressed by mass effect were specifically characterized by review of preoperative computed tomography imaging. RESULTS: Review identified 125 patients with a mean age of 14.7 years; 88% were male. APSCD most commonly resulted from a sporting injury (74%) followed by falls from standing height (10%) and high-energy motor vehicle trauma (10%). The most common finding on cross-sectional imaging was compression without laceration of the ipsilateral brachiocephalic vein (50%). Eleven patients had successful closed reduction, and 114 (90%) had open reduction and internal fixation, with 25 failed or unstable closed reductions preceding open treatment. There were no vascular or mediastinal injuries during reduction or fixation that required intervention. CONCLUSIONS: In this multicenter series of 125 APSCDs no injuries to the great vessels/mediastinal structures requiring intervention were identified. Although more than half of patients had evidence of extrinsic vascular compression at the time of injury, careful open reduction of acute injuries can be safely performed. Although vascular injuries following APSCD seem to be quite rare, vascular complications can be catastrophic. Treating providers should consider these data and their own institutional resources to maximize patient safety during the treatment of APSCD. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-therapeutic case control study.

Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgeons Dissatisfied in On-Call Practices Despite Improving Call Conditions. The 2015 POSNA Membership Survey Regarding Trauma Care.

BACKGROUND: To examine the current trends in trauma call coverage of pediatric orthopaedic surgeons in North America and to identify predictors of surgeon on-call satisfaction. METHODS: In 2015, ∼1200 active members of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) were surveyed regarding emergency room on-call practices. In total, 410 members completed the survey with a response rate of 35%. Information collected included call frequency, practice setting and satisfaction with call. This information was analyzed and compared with the 2006 and 2010 trauma call surveys of Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America membership using 2 sample difference in proportion, χ tests for trend and the Fisher exact tests. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors of call satisfaction among pediatric orthopaedic surgeons. RESULTS: In total, 47% of pediatric orthopaedic surgeons had access to a designated trauma operating room in 2015, up from 39% in 2010 and 24% in 2006. In total, 43% of pediatric orthopaedic surgeons currently receive a stipend for taking call, up from 35% in 2010 and 28% in 2006. Although 83% of pediatric orthopaedic surgeons believe that trauma call is an integral part of their practice, only 53% are satisfied with their call experience. Controlling for covariates, believing that call is integral to one's practice doubles odds of call satisfaction. Having resident or fellow support and being financially compensated for orthopaedic trauma call also increases one's odds of satisfaction. The odds of being satisfied with call decrease by 7% for each year of increase in age of the surgeon. CONCLUSIONS: Access to a designated trauma operating room and financial compensation for call coverage have steadily increased over the past decade. A sizable majority of respondents continue to believe that trauma care is an integral part of being a pediatric orthopedist. Despite this, 47% of respondents remain dissatisfied with their trauma call arrangements. The age and attitude of the individual surgeon and extent of hospital support predict satisfaction of surgeons providing trauma coverage. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V-economic and decision analysis.

The effect of persistent toe walking on the skeletal development of the pediatric foot and ankle.

The aim of this study was to determine whether persistent idiopathic toe walking leads to compensatory skeletal changes in the pediatric foot and ankle. Foot radiographs of children diagnosed with idiopathic toe walking and sex-matched and age-matched controls were retrospectively reviewed. Five blinded providers assessed the foot radiographs for skeletal changes to the ankle. The relationship between each measure and toe-walking status was examined. Providers observed radiographic evidence of skeletal changes of the talus in idiopathic toe walkers compared with controls, suggesting that persistent toe walking impacts the skeletal development of the talus. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: prognostic level III.

Bergson's Philosophy of Will and the War of 1914-1918.

In his wartime discourses of 1914, Henri Bergson mobilizes his philosophy of creative evolution: France is a nation of creative life able to replenish itself, whereas Germany, for all its technological might, is a mechanistic power bound to wear itself out. This paper shows that this moblization is made possible by Bergson's philosophy of will: life as a creative principle is will, and it is a controllable and commandable willpower that he opposes to Germany. Grasping this is crucial for understanding not only the war discourses but also Bergson's later reflections on technology, modernity, and mysticism.